Windham County Democrat. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1836-1853, 1845-10-02


The cutters were far from cieanly, and sent up
pesiferons odor while the nsides Of the houses
we're corrcspondngy mean and untidy. The
clothes of the people, also, did not seem what
they used TO bel their universal shabbiness show
ing want of sclf-respees.-A To complete -ti'e'
picture, men might be seen at all hours lstlessly
doing away existence with pipes in their mouths
instead Of working at some useful occupation.
All too truly told tale of sloth aud mpoverish-
ment. Oswald took the liberty Of limiting at
these symptoms of general declines but he was
only abused for his pains. II is thankless task
to remind people of their duties.
Distressed with all he had seen, Oswald be-
took himself one day to the house of the miller,
who could sympalhize with him in his feelings.
"Pray, tell me, my friend y said he, "what has
been the cause of this strange social degenera-
cy? When departed from Godenthal it was
brisk little prosperous place; now it is all GO
ing to ruin. Surely il has not been scourged TO
greatefextent by war than its neighbors ~
you are right" replied the miller; "onr vii
lage has not suffered by war more than other vii
lagos which are lourshing. The causes of our
decay are more continually at work, and shall
try to give you an insight into them. There has
been gradually creeping over us disposition TO
take easily. Two or three men, who are our par
ish officers are tavern Keepers and they man
age public business for their own benefit. The
village common, which used to be of some con-
sequence, is thus badly managed; in fact the
funds were abused and no little is spent in feast
ing and carousing. Still you would say, ii must
after all be peoples own blame if they get poor ;
the mere robbery of some public revenues can
not do it.. That is true. But with bad exam
pie before them, the bulk Of the villagers be-
come careless, initiate bad habits, and, in short
spend large share of their earnings in the tav-
erns and at cards and billiards. 1t is curious
thing tell you, that few men are able TO keep
the small properties left them by their fathers and
grandfathers. They first get them burdened
with debt, and then they are compelled to sell
them. 1t all comes from following low habits"
"When you have known all this" said Os-
wald "why did you not expose it, so as to open
the eyes of the people 7" ,..
because had no hope Of a good result, y
said the miller; "for, while all allow that we are
in deplorable case, and all will agree in gene
raj complaints and reproaches, none will thank
you for attempting to discover the true causes OF
our decline, since every one fears lest he should
have to bear some portion of the blame"
"What is there neither conscience nor reli-
gion left in the placel' exclaimed Oswald
"what does the parson say to all this ~
ooh, he breaches on his customary round OF
topics, but never enters particularly into the real
circumstances of the people, nor makes any
close and practical application OF his doctrine TO
them. He is an old man, rather reserved and
naughty in his manners. He seems TO preach
from habit, as the people &C to church from hab-
it, and come back no better And the young
are following the examples Of their elders"
as your schoolmaster, then, good for moth
ng?" Oswald asked.
"Since your father died." said the miller
"our school has never prospered. The boys anc
girls learn by compulsion, to read, write, and
reckon little, and perhaps to repeat prayer
besides; but then, what is this against all that
thew learn from their parents at home-decei
and lying, swearing, quarreing, begging ant
stealing, idleness and intemperance, envy ah'
sanderl"
Oswald heard with pain all that the miller ha'
TO tell of the parish, then shook his head with
detected air, and went away to mediate on tn
melancholy account.
Oswald boldly attempts the reformation of Goden'ha and en-
counters persecution.
On the next Sunday, after service, the peopl
r as is customary in Germany, were assembled UT
der the large lime trees on the green. weigf
/. ~ matter had drawn them together; Tor nc
r only had they TO consider how they shout
! raise the taxes about to be levied, but also no
# they should make up old DEFICIENCIES OF paymen
The head men of Goldenthal formed the inns
d circle and around them stood the women an
l., children to hear the result Of the consultation.
e Oswald, who had been waiting for an oppor,
v nifty of addressing his ieow-vlllagers on IL
If state of affairs, thought he might do so now WI
d advantage, and joined the assembly, When Il
e overseers and others had done speaking,
ID mounted stone, and after craving leave to
ID heard, which was not refused, he spoke as i'
ly lows:--
o. "Dear fellow.vagers went away boy
ne the field of hattie, aud have returned TO you
er man. Scarcely can recognize my native
age: my heart is panied by the alterations h
Oh among you. Once our village deserved, indie
he the name of Goldenlhal. You know that mn
ne of the people were once in good circumstance
"a few we're poor, and none were beggars; we cot
se lend money then to our neighbors, and had no
gs of the anxietes and vexatons of debtors; q
he land was well cultivated our cottages were NJ
TO and clean, inside and outside. Goldentha
M in those good days was gentleman, and COZ
no have borrowed hundred guders on the b
Of credit of his word That was the golden age
me Goldenthal."
in Here all the assembly nodded assent a
il some exclaimed, Oswald is right for once !"
II n,w,ld ,yant ont iTis not so now i