Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-03-12
MISCELLANEOUS.
TIIE WINTER RORIN

TIE WINTER ROBIN.
| mean to say that the man or woman who can
deny that the robin which conducted Jane Foster
over the moor, and saved her from perishing in the
snow last winter, was commissioned by Heaven, is
NOS u vhu better than PoGlH ] hold fast to that
ii | didn't-ond would wish this TO be distinctly
UNDERSTOOD don't believe all that is told about if.
For instance, when the neighbors assert that the
robin changed its shape after leading her to the
cottage door, and that she saw an angel spread his
wings and rise from the ground and that she watch
ed him in dumb awe till he disappeared in the thick,
vapory atmosphere, or was hidden by the binding
snow that came icathcring down. don't believe
that. Neither do ! much credit the tale which her
old grandmother repeats with an air, it Is true of
great veracity, how that sitting by her freside at
the time when Jane must have been crossing the
moor and tretting herseflest the child should lose
her way i'll the snow-storm, she heard songs float
ing in the air which no earthly voice could have
sung-sweet holy songs about the love which the
Divine Friend bore towards little children while he
was on earth, and how he loves and cherisbes them
now, looking down upon them from his far, high
home.
1t was a very cold morning, and they had eaten
little on the previous day and for many days past
the cloth had been spread upon the cottage table
for potatoes alone. Fuel they possessed the wind
falls Of the woods, CLEANED before the severe wealth
set in; but only one crust of bread on that cold
morning. and no money to purchase any, while, a.
lack alack the baker refused further credit-bav
ing three shilings and ourpence already scored a.
gainst them. So Jane, pretending that the crust
larger than really was, and that she had sat-
isfed her appetite, soaked it in some warm milk for
her grandmother, and carried it to the old woman's
bedside
"Grandmam," said the child, {" want to 20 to
Rookheld to-day"
"To Rookfeld!" exclaimed the old woman. els
the girl mad-to think of going to Rookfeld this
weather."
"But grandmam what are we to do? Wehave
no bread, and no potatoes"
is it to get bread and potatoes you would trudoe
sixteen miles atoot on lone common with snow
drifts higher than the hedges? No, no, Jane, stay
at home, and -"
I" And starve, grandmam;'
"Why should we starve-sn't there God above
us all P"
ayes, grandmam"
'"And does he not feed the young ravens that
vGIl upon mn :"
"Yes, grandmam"
Sand do not we say our prayers morn and night (?
Why then should you 60 to Rookfeld"
"Because, dear grandmam, God only helps those
who help themselves. If we wait both at home,
bread won't fall into our laps must go out and
seek it."
"And how will you seek bread"
81 will beg, grandma"
"Beg;"
eyes | will tell the gentlelolks, as they pass
by, that have grandmother at home who is very
old and ailing, and that have no food to eat o,
they are very generous-ore the rich people, for
they are Christians, you know, grandmam and
does not Scripture say, He that giveth to the poor,
lendeth to the Lord?"
"Ny poor, poor child my poor Jane p
The girl was very simple so simple indeed
to imagine that she had but to utter, in sincere and
appealing tones a tue and moving tale to gain
compassion; and, what was of more consequence
to her, relief. The old woman, though simple ell
ough in her way, wiser on that point than her
granddaughter She had seen little of the world,
and knew that the Christianity of the rich is too
often like the working mans best garment, worn
only on Sundays.
4" My poor Jane, do you suppose that the gentle
folks will listen to you 7"
ayes, grandma, why not? I shall tell them that
you old and hungry"
Does it snow now Jenny bird ?"
81 No. grandma, it is quite fine, and l shan't feel
the cold, walk so fast you know"
"You shall 90 to RookSeld. God will protect
my darling. Fetch me that box, and give me the
key from my pocket"
Yes, grandma, o how good you are TO let me
CO."
"Not to beg my child you shant beg yet I've
something left in this box that will keep the wolf
from the door Il little longer and who knows but
what--but there" added the old woman check
ilH lliDcl anu SptdhIlB DclON icT DTeul1, " DeSt
to say nothing Of him. Poor Richard, we shall
see you no more till we meet in Heaven"
She drew forth a ring from the boX-a gold we'd
ding ring, which, if we may judge from the inter-
est with which she surveyed it, she priced highly
The girl had hastily attircd herself in shawl ant
bonnet-both greatly worse for the wear, as the
saying is, and offering but slight protection from
the severity Of the season.
"Take that to the pawn-shop at Rookleld, anC
ask them to lend you ten shilllngs upon it. Min(
you don't lose it, and that you bring the tickle
and money safe home, said the old woman, placing
the ring, carefully wrapped in paper, into the girl
hand.
Cheerily, checry, Jane departed on her mission
Bitle as the summer lork--hght and agile as the
skipping fawn-- sinking her glossy curs as she raj
her cheeks glowing with the exercise She san!
IKE delighted bird pouring forth rich notes, al
the richer for that they lacked the culture tina
would have fitted them for the ear of refinement
Onward ana onward. Eight miles were accom-
plished. She was at Rookfeld
She entered the pawnbrokers shop boldly 70
she was not ashamed Of honest poverty, and fell
perhaps, like many Others who have souobt unde
temporary need, the same accommodation. that il i
better to borrow money Of Il tradesman-not usur
erin the way of business, than TO ask a loan of
friend. The Snowman, after many questions, an
much impertlnence-for he saw the girl was poo
and, IN his own opinion, he was an individual c
great mportance-consented TO take the ring, bu
would only lend half the sum demanded.
"tiye shillings and if you don't redeem it,
shall lose by it." said the man, with as much apps
rent sincerity as if he spoke The truth
"Weil, then, five shilngs," sighed Jane.
Inc ucket was made out the money was pait
and Jane left the shop. 1t was great disappoin
ment to have got only five sRillings for Iii
ring. 1t would not last long, husband il /
best they might She was therefore strongly tenn
ed to beg. Would her grandmother be angry
was market day at Rookiield, and there were man