Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1846-04-16
beacon Pickle Pitkleby.

morning, Deacon Plckieby was slowly r.
ling, dOuble-jaded, to the meeting house, 1
nile distant from his farm and mill. Hi:
spouse being seated on the pilliOn behind
aim, and no other being near him, he tOOl
up the thread of discourse on family affairs
which had been broken off when he common
ced shaving Saturday evening, before sun
set.
III kakilate our son Jabez wont neve
stay 10 hum a single minnit artcr he comes
OF age; he has got deSpot rovin notion CIV
er since he saw that officer-looking man
that stopped to our house all night, with hi.
cooked hat and tew edged sword"
CLAW me Mr.. Pickleby," said the mat
ron, Il think it a nation pity we didn'd sen
him to Yale College, and make minister OF
him."
"That would never done in the world, ,
was the reply, II couldn't afford it without
takin too much toll, and that is wicked, and
they would find me out"
oval, Mr. Pickleby," said the good wo-
man ''the Lords will be done, and we must
pray that every thing must turn out for the
best. If the child don't turn Poliytishun his
soul may be saved"
There was long pause in the CONVERSE
ton, while the old plough-nag toiled up
stony pathway, urged forward now and then
with the admoniton TO this effect: "get up,
you old tripe, you needn't be lookin back ar
ter you, colt, for he must larn to dew with
out you, sooner or later"
II dew think, Deacon Picleby," resumed
the matron, Chat this ere mare is tender
footed, and must be shod a fore long"
"Sartinly, as sumo as can git black
smith to dew it, and take rye meal for pay"
answered the deacon. THE times be pesky
hard"
Ii was only few days after the conversa-
ton above recorded, that the pale ,visaged
youth referred to in the discourse between
Deacon Pickleby and his wife, came into the
house while the old people were at breakfast,
with staff in his hand, which he had inst
cut in the orchard.
"Come Jabez, sit down, we have been
waiting for YOU" said his mother, "and dad
dy has got a despot deal to du to-day, besides
picking the mill stuns. You must lump
round spry and du chors; take your tea
child, and some pork, potators, and pickles,
and apple sass; the deacon has just asked
blessing"
Mother" said the young man, and his
voice was tremulous, ~ shan't do any more
chores here"
I" What on airth is the matter with the
toJ?" said Deacon Pickleby, laying down
his knife and fork, and raising his specta-
Giles to give his fading visio.. unobstructed
play upon the now glowing features of his
son.
6 am of age, father" was the reply. "and
am going to seek my fortune; that stick
shall sling my bundle Of clothes over nv
shoulder with, for have got long Journey
before me, andI cut the stick from the ap
ple-tree l planted; it will look like an old
friend"
Bring the big Bible here, nanny" said
the deacon, "and let US see if the boy is
right"
AS the old people had but one child, it
was not Lard TO find where, in blank leaf.
his birlh was chronicled down, and it an
peared that he was that day twenty -one years
ofage.
Hadn't you better stay at home, Jabcz,"
said the kind-heartcd old man; ~ will give
you one third of the profits of the mill, if YOU
will stay and tend tn it.n
"Now, child" said the affectionate moth
er, "you hadn't ought III leave daddy and
me, in our old age; you will stay, won't
you ?"
IL would do anything in reason" said the
young man, "but yon are comfortable aud in
dependent here; but there is not enough for
all Of us; l may get rich away west, where
every body is scing."
After much ard earnest argument pro and
con, the old people became reconciled by
stern necessity, and the careful mother left
her tea nntasted to fly and sputter about the
house, to collec: the shirts and darn the
of Jabez, that he might depart on
.hc following morning. it was a sleepless
niSht which the good old folks passed, pre-
'ions to the morning ofthe parting.
Wheu the wanderer was ready to leave
lis paternal home, and had slung his bundle
'Ver his shoulder, his mother wiped away a
aliing tear, and COMPRISING her skinnylips,
gave him parting kiss.
Deacon Pick'eby insisted that he should
ida the young horse as far as the first turn
bike gate. and he would accompany him, on
he old nag, to bring back the half broken
animal referred TO.
Atthe great turnpike barricade, the deacon
'roaouncea his parting benediction in the
GLOWING terms:
"My son, have endeavored to breed you
Up in the nurture and admonition of the
Lord; tlkc heed that you don't stray into BY
IN! forbidden paths; dew as you would be
lone by, eschew evil company, cider, bran
ly, wicked wimmin flip and black strap
md above all, never gamble nor act sinful,
mi the Lord have mercy on you. Come
back as quick as ever you get rich, and
write your nanny letter jest as often as
,ou can get a chance to send it without cos
ing any thing. Gcod-by, Jabez, and try TO
lold up your head, and keep the tarve with
luman critters and folks in gineral."
1t would he tedious and fatiguing to fol-
ow Jabez Pickleby through ali the sinuosi-
lies ofhis journey to tbs great west; but his
arrival in log village should not be passed
over without notice. Having toiled onwa.d
with pedestrian independence, until within
ten miles OF the place of destination, our he
70 laid aside his worn and soilcd garments
at a honse OF private entertainment, and in
his holiday suit prepared to take passage,
and end his journey in the mail coach. His
purpose Sas to make favorable impressions
on those he designed to take up his abode a.
mong, in strange land.
When the Staoe-c0ach drew I'M in rr,nt of