The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-12-05

should lie so, yet knew, from Edgar's man |
ner, TINT my voice had betrayed the secret
that ] had something for him. had no OPP
porlunity, therefore, for surprising him.
Il have got little present for you, Edgar
said, drawing forth asmall package enclos-
ed in paper r..a.. H.'9a. ! ad
What is il? q paint boxT eagerly asked the
little fellow. his face Frightening. -
yes II paihi box. How do you like it%
Ihad by this time taken off The envelope,
and displayed the box. | really thought the
sight oft would set the child wild with de-
light He seized it in his hands aud fhirly
Rugged il. Then, drawing off the lid, he
counted over each paint, and handled and
tried the brushes.
Let inc go and show il 10 mother lie said,
and away he ran, crying 10 his mother that !
had given him h0X Ofpaints.
'Arlless, innocent childhoodn could not
help saying-'how briefs thy remembrance
of wrongn
His mother had punished him because he
had cried from the severity Of his disappoilit-
mentin not getting his expected box ofpaints
bun this was all forgotten now. aa
After the box was shown TO his mother,
Edgar went into the dining room to paint,
and we saw and heard no more ofhim until
tea time. When his father came home, Ed
gar was rs eager to show his prize TO him us
he was TO his mother. L .t 4s
The incidents of The day made me thought
full. ...... ..
] had always entertained for my friend
very high opinions; and had especially esteem
ed him for his goodness ofheart and benevo-
lence. But the circumstance have Just re-
lated caused doubling questions TO arise.
Was it possible for man of true henevo-
such culpable indifference? j could not rec
onciIe my previous opinion with the fact that
had just transpired. They were at variance
with each otlIerna
The more thought about the matter, the
more felt disturbed. la .1.
'Can it he possbIe| at length asked my
self, 'iIat my friend is naturally selfish, bad
hearted man, who takes upon himself, in com
mon society, senblances ofvirtue!'
'No-no-tls cannot be- was my mental
answer. His worst fault must be thought
leSsness.' ..r -....f rs-.. ....f.
On The next dayI happened in at my
friends store. Whilst sat reading news
paper, and he was busy at his desk, u little
girl, rather poorly clad, came in, and said
something to him in low, earnest tone. My
friend hesituted, and the child spoke more
He then asked two or three ques-
tons, TO which he received answers.
very well, l will see about it, he said with
a smile. fF 'fa-
The little girl seemed satisfied, and went
away. Y s.-a..te. l,f is ta-aa
Your little visiter was quite importunate,'
remarked. a
yes he said. Her father used to work
for me. He is AN honest, industrious man,
but has been sick for some time. He is get
ting better, however, and now wants me TO
speak 10 one ofmy neighbours about Il Stu
alton in his store. told her that if her fla
Their would send her, it would do just MS well.
But she said he wished me to 90 particularly,
for he knew, i'll spoke for it, could get it,
'And so you promised to see about it, said
], letting my voice rest, wirh some emphasis,
upon the last words of the sentence. 1iat D.
'Yes-l could do no less he replied, not
tina, had used his own words.
l felt strongly inclined 10 call my friends
TO the fact ofhis having spoke in the
same way to Edgar but could not see my
way exactly clear to do SO, just then.
Two days afterwards, while was again
sitting in my friends store, the same little girl
came in. Before she had time 10 speak, my
friend said
Il declare! have entirely forgotten you!
But wait minute, and will go aud see
about it at once.' al 5erlIs D. lt. j.
+ The child looked disappointed but sat
down quietly. My friend put on his hat and
went out. In n little while he came in, and
said 10 her "t t"-
TELL your father that Mr. p .---------says that
ne would have given him the situation with
pleasure, if he had applied earlier, but thatit
was now filed .-....
The little girl looked into my friends face
or some time, with what seemed to me sad
and then went slowly away.
Really, Imust blame myself for not hav
ng gone at once to see about the situation
or this poor man. III had gone yesterday,
might have secured it for him.
It's pity certainly Iventured to remark.
1T is, indeed, really feel bad abouti, But,
he fact is, he ought TO have sent directto Mr.
P: and not to ask me TO speak to hitn.'
No doubt he believed you would have
more influence, and thus make his applica-
ion more certain .a...., e.. &
'Yes. But the result has shown different
~ -ae7 20 noiaessaua H,Tt..
: 1T would not have shown differently ifyou
lad seen Mr. P--immediately i7 fzo
No. But Ididn'E and there was to blame.
I can't he helped now, however. am sor-
v, and that is as much as can say ya.
We talked some time on the subject, i'm
rowing an opportunity that offered to call
lis attention TO the sad disappointment his
llolIghtless promise to see about box of
'aints for Edgar had occasioned the little hoy
lie was surprised and astonished at what
aid; and seemed deeply grieved at the pain
is child had suffered, and the wrong that
adj been done to him. So little had he
iought about what he had said to Edgar in
sply TO his request, that it had, by this time,
stired SO far from his memory, that it was