The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-06-19
From the Springfield Courier.
INTERESTING TALE.


INTERESTING TALE.
How singularly sometimes, incidents in the
life of an individual which may have trans.
Pired at periods distant from each other, and
which apparently have no connection, will
mutually enhance their interest, respectively.
This thought was suggested by an occur
renee which took place in our vicinity on
Sunday last aud which in connection with
nm incident many years its senior. forms tho
framework of the following narration:
| Many years ago when we were but boy,
a startling announcement was made that
| young girl, resident of West Springfield,
! had been taken from her bed while asleep,by
II person who for some purpose, had designs
upon her life. The attempt had almost sue
ceeded, when for some reason the villain be-
came alarmed, dropped the frightened crea-
ture, Sescaped. The whole region around was
alarmed, and for a long time afterward every
family upon retiring for the night, instituted
irregular search under beds and in dark clos
cts for concealed child-stealers. We suffer-
ed more than we would be willing to ac-
knowledge from fear, and man with dark
fnce, green spectacles, and most diabnlicai
whiskers. frequently woke us from horrid
dreams, or sat most suffocatingly upon our
very frequent visiter the "nightmare." The
| event itself with its attendant consequences
was called very forcibly to mind few days
since, by finding in an old scrap-booll The
following notice clipped from the Repubi-
can:
"An outrage ofthe most extraordinary char
acter, was committed at West SprngfeId.on
the night oflhe 10th. Mr. Aaron Days two
daughters the eldest about twelve years, went
to he'd as usual in lower room in the front
part of'the house, very accessible from the
street. The parents slept in the back part of
the house. About 10 O'clock the girls room
was entered, and the eldest taken from the
bed sound sleep. She did not awake till the
fellow had carried her out of the house, when
she found herself in his arms, and raised
cry of alarm. He spoke 10 her in soothing
manner and charged her to be SILENT But
she cried murder, when he grappled her
throat, and nearly strangled her. Mr. Day by
this time was alarmed came out and saw his
daughter approaching him, she being about
two rods distant from the house. MIR Day
saw the villain go away and might probably
have caught him, had he not been engrossed
with the care of his frightened and almost
strangled daughter. 1t is difficult TO imagine
the motives of the villain in this act; but the
prevailing opinion in the neighborhood is,
that she was stolen with the intention to take
her life, and then sell her body for dissection.
1t will be seen that the select men ofthe town
have Offered 4 reward of five hundred dol
lars for the detection Ofthe villain"
Last sabbath afternoon, at the close Of the
service, friend remarked to us that the gon-
tIeman TO whom we just listened, had recent
~ been dedicated to the service of missions,
and was that evening to be united in mar.
rage TO the companion who had chosen 10
accompany him 10 the scene of distant and
self-denying labors. Now to us there is al
ways something more than simple self-deni-
al in the devotion of a young man and
woman TO the cause of missions We
deem the spirit that thus induces young
and hopeful man, full of the love of lie
and home, and the chosen one of his love, ac-
cnstomed to the care and tenderness of
friends, to 20 into lifelong exile, rs belong.
ing to the highest grade ofchristian heroisn,
The admiration with which we regard them
is exalted perhaps vergng too much upon the
romantic. We need not say, therefore. that
the announcement interested us, and that W.,
determined to walk over the meadows TO the
village church where the nuptals We're to no
celebrated, and be witness ourselves 10 tho
interesting ceremony.
1t was beautiful evening. Swallows
were darling through the air, many suh-
bath born insect hung glitering on the sun.
soul which the long reign of winter had held
chilled aud benumbed, seemed to awake at
the touch ofund come out to battle in the
balmy atmosphere. Everything was beauti-
fill. The grass was fresh and greCn,t the buds
upon the trees just bursting, the river walked
silently its sweet path to the sea, and neither
in heaven nor in earth was there aught hut
"good omcps" for those who were soon to bn
joined In wcdock. We thought of this AZ
we walked along with most commcndabIo
superstition.
The bell rang merrily from the hin, and
we with the friend accompanying us hurried
forward. At last it subsidized to II toll, and
half running up the lane that led TO the
church, VIC stood upon the steps just as the
last tone had died away, We entered tho
church and saw gathered there large Dum-
Der of the villagers, and others who, Ike It's
had come from adjoining towns.
After the religious services of the evening
had passed. just as twilight crept in at tho
windows, the minister descended from his
DESK and the pair stood before him. There
they made their vows and pledges TO each
other a blessing was pronounced, and tho
congregation separated
"And who was the lady that we have just
seen married." said we to our friend as wo
bent our steps homeward.
"'rhe same that was taken from hrF
bed many years ago. so mysteriousIy." re
piled lie. ... r..
Thus she had given her life to the Being.
who had preserved it in peril. and soon ogcr
distant seas and in strange lands will her lips
teach of his loving kindness and his all pre-,
We take tue announcement pftic marriage
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