Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-04-09

ni,i hoic elateu; dont you remember how defect
cd ne was last year, because so unsuccessfu?'
ayes, my child, but there was some excuse for
that you remember the measles and scarlet fever
hod prevailed to great extent; there was scarce
~ family but what lost one of its little ones and
people were not able to give generally"
well his hopes have been more than realized
before" said the father
"Yes" replied his wife, "bis labors of love have
long since taught him the truth of the SAYING, it
Is more blessed to give than to receive"
Henry could not resist the inclination TO give
loud hurra, in testimony of his joy, which, though
ratner noisy way of maniosting it, his father
could not find it in his heart to repress for it was
the overitowlng of generous heart Ashahel said
not word, but he thought none the less.
" II looks much like a Storm" remarked Mr. Stu.
art, MS he placed back his chair, and stood eaninp
against the window" as our minister has done SO
nobly, hope the poor will not suffer for want of
fuo for tue present. at least"
Again the grudged fourpence rushed to the bows
mind, and the quick blood mantled his manly brow,
as ne heard these words, and thought how unw-
lngy he had done any thing towards relieving hu.
man suffering. There were his parents, brother
and sisters eyer ready to sympathise with them in
Joy, ana sorrow, and he was as continually wound
ing their kind hearts by his selfish nrrat,ude :
Thought after thought rushed through his mind,
until the struggle seemed almost too great to bear.
Inc conflict was long, and bitter, but it ended not
I'll noble resolution was formed in the secrecy of
his bosom, that, cost him what it may, he would
never again be guilty of sefshness.
Three weeks glided by, and as yet our young
conq!ueror had had no opportunity to prove his a.
mendment, when, as Mr. Stuart was one day seated
in the midst of his children reading TO them, gen.
tie rap was heard at the door, Asahel rose TO omen
1t, and, recognizing in the pale little GIRL who stood
without, one of Adelaide's Sabbath class, he babe
her enter. The stranger was girl of about eight
years. whose thin attire bespoke her to be a child
OF poverty. Entering the room with tlmd. child.
Ike air, she glanced at its inmates and evidently
not finding the object of her search, she turned to
Mr.. Stuart with
Phase yer honor, don't see Miss Adelaide here,
and she ii is am after, and no one else"
"What would you have of Miss Adelaide ~ ask
cd Mrs. Stuart smiling at the simplicity of the lit
lie Irish girl.
Faith, and sure have MT come to bring back
the money for the shoes, that won't fit at all at all !?
the mon wants ninepence mole tor a larger pair
and I've got to wait till Judy O'Brian can wash for
that same"
ono, no." said Asahcl, "you shall not wait an
hour longer for the Shoes" at the same time taking
ten cents from his pocket, "bu have Mt 1t quite
now" said he turning to his BROTHER it wants just
two cents"
:" Me got two CENTS" cried little Hattie, who
standing by her mothers side, had been ntenty
listening to every word.
"Where are Hattie's two cents ?" asked Asahel.
"Me got them in Dolly's bonnet" and away ran
the baby girl to bring them.
"lIere they are, Asy,' said she quickly return
ing with her treasure.
The silver was placed in her hands, and, going
to the little stranger, she lisped-" here, 90 buy
new Shoes with cents, pretty new shoes like Hat
ties"
"Troth and I'll not be after taking the baby's
pennies from her-sure Judy OBrian would put
ME to bed without supper for the like o'that"
And pray, my little glr can you tell me who
Judy O'Bran is ?"
"Och, ma'am and isn't it my own bissd moth
or /? didn't she tops to my old shoes till there
no bottoms 2"
The children-sm smiled, and their mother told the
little girl not to fear mourning her mothers anger,
for Miss Adelaide would explain all in the morning.
All, and word from good lady Adelaide will
set all rightrsg how,' and the child ran off with
light heart.
"Who would hesitate to deny themselves, if it
be necessary to do so, in order to Tighten the lot of
the poor and needy" remarked Mrs. Stuart, as the
door closed on this daughter of the Emerald ISLE
How were the parents rejoicod at the change
which had taken place in their son-he seemed to
have entirely conquered his strong propensity, and
each day now gave some proof that he had become
as liberal as he before selfish. What fond
hopes were now cherished of their first born son.
But how shall we tell of their surprise, and bitter
disappointment, when, at q third call from Dr.
Marsh he excused himself on the plea Of inability,
and suffered him to depart without adding one cent
to his store No reason could be ascribed for this.
They knew that he could not have disposed OF his
earnings in so short time, for the products of his
garden had yielded much larger sum than on the
preceding season, owing to his better skill in man
aging it. How suddenly was every fond hope bias
ted, while all their fears were revived with tenfold
their former strength.
"Something must be the matter with old John"
I,ol M Nubo thau, anaIp n
-" he hasn't been to market for week two"
And l." said his wife, have missed Betsy from
her weekly washing at our neighbors; one of us
must 90 there to-day"
81 am Just going out, and will walk round that
way believe" and taking his hat, Mr.. Stuart pro-
ceeded to their abode.
How are you this cold weather, Betsy" said
he os he met her just opening the door with an arm
full of wood" afraid you ailing, ITS SO
long since we heard from YOU"
"Ah sir, is it you? Heaven bless you for your
kindness to the poor-its long since my old eyes
were cheered with sight of you but do come in
| for my good man will be delighted to see YOU"
How is your husband, Betsy ?-I haven't seen
! him for some time"
Poor John, he is mendlng now, thank God, but
he has had a hard time of it."
Mr. Stuart had by this time entered the room
and found the sick man in bed. A glad smile lit
up his wasted features, as he extended his hand to
bid him welcome.
How long have you been confined to your bed
John?"
1t is now about three weeks or more, since mat
tiers became SO bad ! caught a bad cold month
| ago, but didn't think much of it, and so it grew
worse, and then the rheumatism set in, and wha
with this, and trouble of mind, for you know sir
sickness is no friend to the poor, and had nothing
left to pay doctors bill With have felt almos
discouraged"
"Why didn't you let US know of your situation
before ~
"Ah, sir, told my wife that you would have
sent to us long ago. if you had known that We
were in want"'
! 81 didn't like to trouble you any more-you have
helped us enough, already-but we were not lorsa
ken, Heaven sent us help in our last extremity.
had just gone to the door to gather handful o
chips, to lengthen out my last log with, when
cart stopped just before my house loaded with eve
| nv thing | most needed God forgive me for m,