The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-11-27
From The Boston Mercantile Journal,
A Thanksgiving Story,

TWAS bleak day in the month ofNoyem-
her. The north wind howied mourulully
through the leafless trees-the broken clouds
fitting rapidly across the face Of the Heavens
and the whole face Of nature assumed an
Inspect, cherries and uncom!ortahle--well
calculated to remind the morals; Of the clos
ing scenes in the great drama of lile-as
traveller, with weary steps, vending his soil
ialy way through one Of those beautiful ham
les which abound in New Engiand-and
which constitute the noble ornaments, en-
hlems of freedom. peace and happiness, of
which he is Justly proud.
To iud.c irem his costume, this traveller
belonged 20 the huniblest ranks Of life-or
had been singled out as victim by nis!ur
tune His course straw lat, his patched
doublci, and his canyass trousers, s0ilcd by
tar in many places-whi'e they proclaimed
Ills occupqiion AMI his poveriy, seemed bus
poorIy calculated to protect him from tie III
clrmcncy Of the weather His form was cast
in 4 noble mould, dcnot;ng great acli.ity aud
strength. Ills manly features, hrGn&cd hy
exp0su.r 20 the tropical sun. and partly cor
cealcil froln view hy his luxuTiant locks Of
coal black hue shaved that he was still IN the
dawn cf manhood Aud his eyes seemed
iightedup with an iutiiiigentsp ifit-hya CLEAN
of expectation and hope, which showed That
his humble fortunes did not accord with has
noble n1ture-an1 that however severely iaie
had deal; with him, his energies were still IN
broken-and that mauere the chill northern
blast. and The faticucs which it was evident lie
had recently undergone, he was resolved to
push onward NATL the object which he had in
view. was accomplished.
alt is now three years, said he 10 himself
rs he plodde,l along the road, "sincc ! very
foolishly left my happy home, urged by a
riquc, and a love fora life of adventure. 10
brave the harlsh;rs and perils Of the ocean.
Since then my life has been 4 constant series
of misfortuncs. have met with storms on
every tack But thank Providence, although
my canvass is sadly reduced and pretty well
worn out. and my pockets are destitute of
ballast my hull is unimPaired and my spirits
are unbroken and buOyant as ever. | hope
my parents are still living, and prosperous
and happv-I was fool to leave them. And
my broihe,s and sisiers-how happy we
were together-anl cousin Mary, that bright
little fairy, whom loved with a love surpass-
inc that of cousins-in whose company
have passed so many rapturous hours! Oh,
| was A fool to leave such blissful ssenes.-
And believe after all. that the little fairy
loved me- know she did-she all but told
me So But ii is too late now to retrace my
steps-I can only retrace my folly. dare say
the bright and Joyous young thing has forgot
ten Ned Willis. and was married TO some
worthier fellow than am long since. Fol
her rosy cheeks, laughing eyes, and sweet
disposition, to say nothing of the property
she was to inherit when she came eff age, at
tracted many admirers-and made sad havoc
among the hearts of the youths of the village
Well, if she is married, there is no more TO bc
said-I have no right to complain. But
hope she has chosen good husband. | vii
see her once more-wish her long life anc
happy one-and away to sea again. But i
she is not married. lie did not finish the
sentence, but change came over the coun-
tenance of the il-clad and weather-beater
mariner, as if he was indulging in vision
of rapture, and he Involuntary quickened
his pace.
As Edward Willis journeyed onward TO-
wards his home, anticipating by turns happy
and adverse fortune, he was surprised to flint
that although it was in the middle THE week
there were no signs of labor among the inhab
itan;s. All was quiet; even the oxen wer
browning contentedly in the pastures, tn
school-hCuses were closed, and the meeting
houses we're open-the people whom he me
were neatly arrayed in their Sunday clothe;
and their countenances were wreathed wit
smiles of gratitude and JOY. On enquiry h
learned that it was THANKSGIVING DAY. ID
hailed the information as a glad omen.
On the day when this poor, forlorn-lookin
traveller after years of wandering, was pur
suing his way towards his native village, tn
fire burned brightly on the hearth-stone o
his parents. Deacon Willis was Ne'0 Eng
land Fdrnser--a man who, by cherishing tn
virtues Of industry and frugality, had becom
possessed of handsome property-and who
enjoying competence in free country. pro