The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-10-23
T He STOLEN MELON.
PARENTAL REPROOF.

1t was vacation, and Eben and Robert haC
accompanied our father to the city. During
their absence, the boys proposed picnic
at Clark's Point, mile or two up the river
1t was given in honor Of two old associates
now Collegians, on vacation visit home
l was the youngest guest, and therefore PROUD
of my invitation. Much talk was there
among the boys, what they should eat and
what they should drink, and how the affair
should be conducted in the grandest style
My mother baked me a cake, buttered crack.
ers, and cut large slices of ham, for my con-
tribution to the feast. Walking in the gar
den, espied Eben's large, round. ripe water
melon. 1t was earlier ripe than its fellows
for it had been the object of Eben's special
care. Again and again had he turned il
over to the warm sun, and just before he left
he had raised it upon smooth flat stone, to
enjoy every advantage of warmth and air.
40, i'll only had that melon" thought |;
"none of the boys have got amelon to carry
if l only had it!'' This was not wished once,
twice, or thrice, but many times, until it
grew to my very mind.
"What are you thinking of" asked Bill
Parsons, as | walked silently beside him in
the street, an hour after.
Something, replied |, significantly.
"Tell me, now, won't tell" said he coax
ingly.-Aiter some slight demur, l told him
how l desired Eben's melon for the pic
mic.
Capital" exclaimed Bill, who was very
fond of melons, "let's have it!'
why, mother will not let me have it, be-
cause it is not hers to give, and Eben has not
come home," replied /.
20, never mind that You know what
the college boys tell US about their sprees.
They make nothing of robbing hen-roosts
and carrying off whatever they lay their
hands on. It's all in joke, you know
Now let's have Eben's melon.''
Many words passed between us, and al
last it did not seem so very bad joke, for in
that aspect could | alone pursuade myself to
see it. | went home.-Thatn night, or never,
must the melon be secured. Evening stole
on, and Bill Parsons no longer near to urge
his dangerous sophistry, was the victim OF
doubts and hesitation. About the garden
hung, and often toward the melon advanced
and as often tremblingly receded. 1t grew
darker and darker.
Bill says, lit would be so capital. And
after all, it's on " joke!" rushed forward
and seizing fast hold, snapped it from the
STEM The deed done, FASTENED to secreet
the treasure in the barn.
The next morning, arose at all early hour,
for no sound sleep had visited my pillow that
night. After breakfast, my mother tied up
the eatibles she had prepared for me, in a
nice white bag, and kissing my cheek, bade
me be a good boy. Iran out the front door,
and then stole into the BAN. There lay the
melon. Hastily did strive to thrust it into
the bag, and 10th was it to go,so small the bag
so large the melon. Succeeding at last,
slung the bag upon my shoulder and hasten
ed away. The melon was heavy on my back
but heavier load was on my heart. Tug
ging to the place of rendezvous, before hal
there, in little cross street, sat down upon
log, hot and weary.
81 cannot carry this melon" said /, open.
ing the bag and looking in with a remorsfu
ipirit. 81 cannot carry this poor melon.
Out came the melon; and, tossing it over the
fence, / scampered off with all the speed
was master of.
The day passed of YEARLY enough to me.
Bill Parsons called me coward, when he
beheld no melon, and his bitter taunts ran
kled in my heart all day.
What wonder, what regrets, attended the
discovery of the theft!
| That beautiful melon stolen!" exclaimed
| Eben. refusing to believe it possible.
| THAT you took such pains with" said
Robert
"What an ugly thief!''
Il am very sorry, my son." and father
looked so regretfully.
"You will have another soon, Eben," said
oIfr motherencouragipgly.
| "But it will not be like that, mother. / did
nurse it so carefully"
Poor Eben cannot describe the mis-
ery,the fear, the wretchedness which tore my
heart during the days which followed. Where
was the happy independence of conscious in
tegritv! | cringed before the affectionate
caresses of my brothers. Appetite fled. and
nv spirits forsook me. When my mother,
with anxious look, feared was sick, l cold
ly answered, and rudely fled from her in
quiries. Every object l beheld seemed to
reflect but one dreadful image.-that | was
a thief. / bore it until l could bear it no
longer. 1t was Saturday afternoon, land turn
ing distastefully away from all Saturday af-
ternoon frolics, sought my fathers counting
room.
Father, are you alone ?" asked, the door
being ajar.
"Yes, my son, walk in, am happy to see
you," and he put aside his newspaper.
In went, and shut the door firmly behind
me.-Planting myself courageOusly before
him, while the life-blood seemed oozing
from my heart, Father" began, sit was
who stole Eben's melon stole it in the
night"
/ shall never forget the grief expression
which came suddenly over my fathers face
as he looked at me. fell on my knees be-
fore him and hid my face, but could not
cry.
He laidhis hand upon my head. "Ralph,
did you forget that God beheld you ?" The
sad earnestness of the inquiry penetrated my
inmost soul. With quick and broken utter
ance, rehearsed the story of nay guilt.
Father! father, can you forgive me I?
Shall ever be happy againl What shall
do!' were the impetuous questionings of my
hot and aching heart. He did not speak for
a moment, and then his voice auiyered.
Had he sternly sent me from his presence, had
he whipped me, could have borne any,
thing better than his sad quivering voice.
My father! hour bless thy memory!
"My son." he at length said, SLOWLY and