Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-06-04
MISCELLANEOUS.
From tic Methodist Protestant.
TIE APPLES;



] had been married fifteen years, SAID the Colo
mel. Three beautiful daughters enlivened the do
nestle hearth, the youngest Of whom was IN her
eighth year. more happy and contened house
hold was no where to be found. Ny wife was ami
able, intelligent, and contented. We were not
wealthy; but Providence had preserved us from
want; and we had learned that "contentment with
out wealth is better than wealth without content
ment"
1t was my CUSTOM when returning home at nirht
to drop into one of the many shops which are CON
stanty open in the business streets of the metrop-
oils, and purchase some trihing dainties, such as
fruit or confectionery, to present to mother and the
children | need not say how delighted the little
ones were at this slight expression Of paternaI con
sderatlon. On one occasion had purchased some
remarkably fine apples. After the repast half
dozen were left untouched, and my thrifty compan-
ion forthwith removed them to the place of deposit,
where 1t was her custom to preserve the remains of
our nick-nacks. day or two after, when had
seated myself at the table to dine she said to me-
smilingly,-
80 father has found the way to my safety-box,
has he:"
was at a loss to understand her meaning, and
desired her to explain.
Have you not been into my drawer"
"What drawer~
"The upper drawer in my chamber bureau. Did
you not take therefrom the largest of the pppins
had put away for the girls 2"
"No-l did ot!"
"You did not?"
"NotI! have not seen an apple since the eve
ming purchased them"
A slight cloud passed over the counenance of my
wife. She was troubled. The loss of the apple
was in itself nothing; but we had carefully instruct
ed our children not to appropriate to their use any
article Whatever OF family consumption, without
permission; and as permission, when the demand
at all reasonable had never been denied them.
she was loath to suspect any of them of the Of
fence. We had servant girl in the family but
as she was supposed to know nothing of the apples,
my wife hesitated to charge it upon her. She at
length broke the silence by saying
"We must examine this affair. | can hardly
think one Of the children would so act. If we find
them guilty, we must reproye them. viii you
please look into it 2"
The girls were separately called into my pres
ence; the eldest first.
"Eliza, did you take from your mothers drawer
an apple?'
"No, sir"
"Mara, did you take from your mothers drawer
an apple"
"No, SIR
MARY, did you take from your mothers drawer
an apple"
"No, sir"
at must have been taken by the servant ; call
her to me-" said !, addressing my wife.
shell, how came you to take from the drawer o.
your mistress, without permission, the largest of the
apples she had placed there?".
"Wot apples z"
"Dd you take no apple from the drawer of you
MISTRESS"
"No sal"
Now, it was evident that alsehood existed some
where. Could it be that one Of my children haC
told me a lie? The thought harrassed me. ! wal
not able to attend to my duties, ana left the house
but soon returned again. Meanwhile the ser
want girl had communicated to her mistress tina
she had seen our youngest so into the garrett witt
u large APPLE the morning before. On examina
ton, the core, and several pieces of the rind wer'
found upon the floor. | again called Mary to me
and said to her atfectionately-
"Nlary, my daughter, did you go into the gairet
yesterday /"
"Yes sir"
did you go there with an applet"
" No sir"
did you notice any thing on the foorf"
"No STRIP
was unwilling to believe my sweet child capa
Bile of telling me falsehood but appearance
were against her. The fault lay between her AM
the servant, and while was DESTROYS to acout I'M
child, did not wish to accuse unjustly the Negro
| therefore took Mary into a room alone. | spok
TO her OF the enormity Of lying-of the necesst
OF telling the truth-of the severe punishment
should be compelled to inAct upon her. if she di
not confess the whole to me, and with tears in III
eyes urged her to say that she had done it, if ndee
she had. Gradually became convinced of he
guilt; and now fell determined she should comics