The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-06-12
For the Girls and Boys.
From the New York Observer.
The Soldiers and the Flower
% e DIS.
ny PROFESSOR ALDEN,

their gay coats and plumes, were paradng
on the village green. Drums were beating
"colors We're flying, and there was a general
fastening TO the scene ofdispay.
"Halloo, James," said George Mason, rs he
happened TO look over the fence, "what are
you at work 10 day for? Are you not going
TO the trainingw
ayes, by and by" said James.
""Why don't you go now? come I'll wait for
you, il you will"
II can't go now: you go on: I'll be there in
all hour or two"
~ can't wait so long as that; so Pm of.
Pm sorry il You have TO work there all the
forenoon when there is so much to be seem"
At this moment the drums began to beat
louder, and George set out upon IA run.
Pretty soon couple of men came along
and saw James at work. They did not say
anything to him, but he overheard one Of
them say to the other, II wonder if Nj ontague
isn't rather too strict with his boy. He ought
not to make him work 10 day"
Ere long Mrs. Averil came along: she
was not going 10 the trninng-she was walk
ing in the opposite direction. She saw James
and wondered Ire was not with the other
boys. She stopped, and leuning on the fence
observed him for some time. She saw he
was putting four flower beds in admirable
order. He workedvery fast, so that the pers-
pration rolled off from his face profuscly.
Once in awhile nc would pause for n moment
and standing on tip toe, strive to get view
of the distant soldiers. Mrs. Averill thought
it possible that james had been doing some
thing wrong,in consequence of which his IA
Their had set him at work, instead ofallowug
him to join his companions who were gath
cred round the drum. But he looked bright
and happy, and showed no signs of working
from compulson. At length she spoke to
him.
flames, why are you so hard at work,
while the other boys are enjoying themselves
in seeing the soldiers?"
"l'm doing il for little sister," said James,
looking up for 4 moment, and then resnm-
ing his work.
81 thought there WINS some special reason,"
said Mrs. Averill, lis your sister good girl?"
ayes mann, very," said james respectfully,
yet in tone which indicated some surprise
that any one should think of asking such
question.
"She ought to be good, since she has so
good brother. Wouldn't you like to be with
the boys on the green?"
ayes mann, very much" And he worked
the iaster that he might get through with his
task.
II see you are in hurry, and will not
hinder you. have no doubt you will he all
the happier for working for your little sister
instead ofjoining your companions on the
parade ground. Isee you have almost fin |
ished the beds. You are going suppose
when you get them'done?"
ayes mann"
James little sister Eliza, had been sick
for long time. She had but recently begun
10 recover. Within few days she had be-
come well enough to sit in the open air. On
the morning oftlrc master day several of her
har
coming to spend the afternoon with her
She was DESTROYS Of sitting with them under
the elm, which stood in the corner ofthe gar
den, close by her flower beds She wished
10 have the beds nicely weeded before her
visitors came, and asked her father if he
could spare his hired man long enough to do
it. The hired man was obliged to put on
his uniform, and shoulder his musket, and go
to the muster, and her father was obliged to
go out of'town. 1t would seem therefore,
that her garden must go unweeded She
was so weak in consequence other long sick !
ness, that she could not bear disappointment.
She began TO weep At this moment James
came into the room with his clean clothes
on, and some money jingling in his pocket
all ready to go to the training.
"What is the matter with little sister,"
said he, going up to her and kissing her.
"Nothing," said she, trying to smile.
"Sister does not often cry for nothing
something must be the matter with her"
"She wants her garden wecded, and there
is nobody to do it," said Betsey,the hired girl.
"lll do it for you to morrow" said James,
don't cry"
"She is going to have company this after
noon, and so she wants her flower beds to
Took NICE" said Betsey.
ooh that's it, is it? Well, suppose must
so and fix them for your"
!'You want to 90 to the muster: hear the
drums now said Eliza.
81 rather guess do; but poor sick sister,
who has been shutup so long, must have her
way. Here, Betsey, what have done with
my old clothes? Let me have them, and I'll
put them on, and fix the beds in two minutes
He soon had his old clothes on, and was
hard at work as we have seen. 1t took him
nearer two hours than two minutes to put
the beds in order; butthey were by no means
unhappy hours. When the beds were weed
ed he went into the house, and felt that the
sweet smile on the pafe cheek of his sister
amply paid him for his selfdenial and labour.
He then exchanged his clothes again, and
went to the scene of military operations.
Though he was late on the ground, YET he |
had an opportunity of seeing and hearing
quite as much as he desired. In fact long be- |
fore the troops were dismissed, he went home
thinking that he could enjoy himself more
with his sister and her visitors. She may
want ME for something, said he to himself,
as she is not we'll enough to wait on her
company herself His presence was very
agreeable to the visitors, for he was always
gentle and polite.
AT night. when he came TO- lie down upon |
his pillow, he reviewed the events of the day.
He had to thank God for happy day. /
lth; 4