The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-09-30
Youths Department.


published in the Gazette, and dated sIauch Chunk
we find the following touching and interesting story:
THEIDIoT boy.
My attention arrested by group of title chill
dren Of both sexes, making their way slowly to the
afternoon school. Some were bure.legged; pretty
ankles theirs pretty shaped, meunfor the expos
ure to mud from cold dust, not favorable to coll
or, Scarcely fully dressed, and yet decen-
cy Ind contrved with what was ut hand, TO satisfy
her fastidous eye, and innocence there TO gaze
without blush at accidental exposure. II was
merry group, gosspping about the events ofthe morn
ing, or the enlarged possession Of some Of tho
number, who had acquired n whole half Of apple,
and was sharing the wealth by bites among tho com
pany. All were gay the idea Of going TO school
would permit, Yet among them discovered one tai
Ter by the shoulders upwards than all the rest. lie
was weclothed; at least, fully clothed, with jacket
trowsers, and long pinnfcre, that told Of special
care at home He wore hat, and the low fore
head, and nervous movements or the body, satisfied
me. even before reached him, that it was an Idiot
Boy.
As came up to the group, my company had gone
on, so stopped to have word TO say to tho little
strangers, and gather world Of information about
their sports, and their little and troubles A
dozen pennies paid the whole of them amply for the
knowledge obtained, when, lifting up my eyes again,
1 discovered the poor boy. was right-hs face
completely idiolic. lilo stood ut distance, with
vacant stare at my little congregation I beckoned
him forward for lovo to hold converse with such;
it is a of sympathy which tho readiness Of ones
own mind has with the wreck of that of others.
f.l,. o,y;,h tha hoy nd IA ,ho
company that had stopped to admire drove Of mules
Just ready for attachments TO the Mno was a
part of my own kind and n more fruitful theme for
contemplation than theirs; and so, after word
two with the poor lad, laid upon his hand n small
silver coin. thought for n moment that spark of
intelligence flashed from his eye. He continued
however to hold his right hand extended, in the
palm of which lay the money, and with the fore fin
ger ofhe other hand, he felt of the coin upon which
he gazed with Of sickenng interest. AT length
he mingled in the group of the school children, and
went round from to the other, pointing to his
wealth. 1t was school time, they all set forth
their mission. Turning my head AFTER TO
how my little friends proceeded, noticed that tho
idiot boy still holding his feed hand extended, stop
ped suddenly, and seemed. for a moment, perpexed
Al length he shut his hand close, turned round, and
at the top his speed past me, and shot into
srla shnnty. onged to know what had influenced
the lad thus to leave his fellows, il they (eiocs
but did not venture into the shanty
As approached the part of the road that turned
down towards the Mines felt curiosity about some
object at hand, and stepped over the other side
OF the road, where standing at work,
with two little children scarcely three years old,
on each side Of her Having satisfied my immediate
curiosity, Ihnd word or two 10 say which seemed
due to tho mother. asked about the family "This
is your child, said I, laying my hand upon the cur
ly head nearest me.
eyes: have three Older and two younger"
Drawing from my pocket piece Of money! at
which literally would have turned up its nose was
giving it to the child nearest me, whsn the mother
seeing the movement, directed my hand and the gift
to the other one
"Not this one," said she, "not this one, il you
please, this is mine, give i, TO the other Poor little
Mary is orphan she has neither father nor mother.
Give it to her, ifyou please, She stays with u.s. and
do the best for her. but she is still an Or
phun.'
Spirit OF woman's benevolence, that turnest aside
the offering from her child the hand the or
phan-the orphan that yet shares the bread, and d.
Vides affection with her own offspring let my selfish
ness learn from thee; and gather up to minister
to paternal pride, mnyest thou direct my hand to the
orphan and the destitute, without the osenta,on that
seemed TO mark my present gift, and with the true
benevoence that shons in the character of the mother
on "the Summit
Right marvellous was it to behold the aborers in
the coal pits. gang here clearing away mas
sess of earth; there, was body of men scrapng up
the refuse coal. In another place tho dr II was Piled
for bast; and ever and anon train Of cars would
dash by, without single visible motive power, and
almost directly opposite, single car would be seen
streaming towards Of coal. All seemed in
stinct with life, all animation; while at times
"the heavy mules securely slow, ''were seen drags-
ing up a train of loaded cars, that had descended
without aid and without touching. 1t was n wonder
full sight, and right glad was to keep clear Of mules
car, pick and blast; and while looking round for safe
~, saw the IDIOT in the midst of what appear
cd to me imminent danger
sect OUT" said miner, in tone that commenc-
cd with much severity, but seemed to dwindle down
into a cadence of kindness
eco home." said another, "the rock will be upon