The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-11-06
Vol. II. No. 16. Whole No. 536.

with cloth of snowy Wilderness, the work.
mapshp Of herown hands from distaff to
hemming and marking, consisted, in tho
first place, ofham, eggs, and other varieties
ofthe substantial food usunliy found upon
the farmers table. Then came the fine meal
Indian Johnny cake, mixed with cream, eggs
and sugar, and forming, when rightly made,
perhaps the most delectable esculeDt Of the
bread kind, that ever gratified an epcuros
palate. This last, and the light, hot biscuit,
for those who chose them, altogether with pies,
both apple and minced, slewed fruit, goose
berry preserves, honey, and new sugur, con-
stitilted The desert,-the whole milking re-
past which gave proof that the farmer has
ample materials ofhis own raising, ifhe has
but wife of competent skill i'll cookery 10
manage them, TO furnish table which NAV
be made to rival the boosted banquet boards
Of princes.
As soon as the dinner, which had passed
off with great sociability and good feeling,
was finished, the travellers, pleading the ne
cessity of diligence on their way, Immediate
ly commenced preparations for rcsuming
their journey. The horse, which, i'll the
mean time, had been returned and well car
ed for 10y the boy who had taken him in
charge, was now, by the same active little
groom, speedily cleaned, harnessed, and
brought up with the carriage TO the door
And, the next moment, the gentleman, with
ed, was the girls name,) emerged from tho
house, followed by the tnnily,who now gath
cred round the carriage TO witness the depar-
ture ofthose who seemed TO have succeeded,
in two brief hours, in awakening an interest
which is usually created only by long and
intimate acquaintance.
"Now, Mr. Amsden," snid the stranger,
turning 10 his hostatter placing his daughter
in her seat, "now, | will settle with you for
/ tho shCntpcr of tho borcn nur dinners and nil
other trouble,to say nothing ofthe hospitable
kindness with which you all huvc made us
feel so much at home, What, sir, will be
your biIl?"
"Beu what did Mr. Dghton say he should
charge" asked the other turning 10 his boy.
Sporty cents, sir" was the prompt reply.
| "Well, forty cents, Ihen,is the bill" rcsum-
ed the farmer.
| 'Ees, but the rest ofyour charges?"
'tWe will trust you for that"
81 should prefer 10 pay, sir"
"You may, if you will allow me 10 direct
the manner ofpaymenL"
Every well, sir: speak on"
"Why, when you get settle down in life a
gain, give some other traveller dinner, if
he is ms good company as you have been,and
that shall square the account between us.H
81 will, however, make your boys pres
ent"
Better see whether they will take any
thing first, sir"
80, no, no, sir" quickly nterposed Locke,
as the gentleman was opening his purse.
"Not cent for me, Mister; that aint the
way get my living" chimed in the spirited
and proud title Ben.
"Ah, / see you are all determined to have
your way AT this time," smilingly remarked
the stranger "however, all may come right
hereafter, perhaps. But as the matter now
stands, have only to express my sense Of
obligation to each and all ofyou. And one
thing, more, before we part, MIR Amsden-
let me repeat TO you my advice, 10 give this
elder son of yours the chance for good ed
ucation."
"Do you think he has capacities which
would warrant such step, sir?" asked the
gratified mother of the boy.
'lndeed, | certainly do, Madam; even 10
sending him to college," replied the other.
"That would be impossible in my circum-
stances, provided thought as you do on the
subject" remarked Mr. Amsden.
"Let him go to good academy, then," re-
joined the stranger.
"Well, now. / don't exactly know about
that" replied the other. ale may 60 win
tiers TO our district schools as long as plea
ses; and think, for the present, at least, that
he should, and will be, quite satisfied with
that Is it not SO Locker"
"Why," answered the boy diffidently, 81
should be satisfied to go TO our district mas
tiers, IF they could tell me the reason of
things, which always wish to know"
",That is right, Master Locke, responded
The stranger: "you have expressed, in almost
word, the great aim and essence OF oil true
knowledge and philosophy-fo k''o,o the red-
son of things Yes, my young friend. let
that still be your ambition; and, ifyour father
will give you the opportunity, doubt not you
will do honor to the motto you have chosen"
"Wel, l would be scholar, Locke if l
was you," added Mary, with charming nat
rete: and if you will, and come and Keep
school where IveI will go TO school 10 you,
and become great scholar too, if cam"
The travellers now took their leave of the
family, and drove from the yard, attended
by the repeatedly expressed good wishes OF
the good hearted farmer, and his equally
kind and more high minded companion.
And, in these wishes, they were joined by a
mother, who. though he had uttered less, yet
felt more than they had expires sed! That
was our young hero; who, as the rest OF tho
family returned into the house, stood mutely
gazing after the receding carriage, till its last
traces were lost to his sight; when he slowly
turned away, the big drops of tears standing
, in his eyes, and his lip quyering with emo
tons which had been awakened by this BRIEF
. but to him, as will appear IN the sequel, I'M
portant visit of these interesting strangers.
: [The I'd chapter opens with a discussion
in regard to the strangers. No one OF the
, family had found out their names or resi-
, dence Locke determined in his own mnd
that he would he scholar. The following
incident occurs:
About n month from the time the incidents
we have been sketching TRANSFERRED, strong
: board box, directed to Master Locke .4rnSden