The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-07-31

| the uneasy thing out ofthe house."
81 thought you would prove yourself Il rGa-
souablc fellow" answered the buchanan,
| laughing. "Comc, let us drink II glass Of
wine, and then ! will pay you the money"
They then seated themselves again in the
parlor, and drank until Peter fell into deep
sleep.
Goldman Peter Munk was awakened by
| the merry note ofa post horn, and behold he
was seated in handsome carriage, and as
| he looked out he saw in tho blue distance be-
hind him, the Black Forest At first he
could hardly believe that it was himself seat
cd in this cNrringo, for his clothes were no
longer his own which he wore yesterday,
but nc remembered what had passed so dis
| tinctly, that he at last cried out, ~ am the
goldman, Peter Munk new made over, and |
am no one else"
lie was surprised at himself that hc did
not feel sad that Inc was now leaving, for tho
FIRST time, tho quiet home in the forest where
he had lived so long; even when he thought
of his mother now sitting helpless and in mis-
cry, he could not press Il tear from his eyes,
nor n sigh from his bosom, for every thing
was indifferent to him. "Ah, indeed" said
he then, ''tears and signs, home sickness and
grief come from the heart, and thanks to
Dutch Michael, mine is cold and stony"
He laid his band upon his breast, every
thing was quiet there, nothing disturbed him.
"lf he keeps his word with the hundred thou
sand MS well MS with my heart, shall rejoice,
snid he, and began too look about the car
riagc.
lie found articles Of clothing orevory kind
Just such ms lie could wish, but no money.
At last he felt in pocket and found many
thousand dollars in gold, and bills upon ira
ding houses in all the large cities.
"Now have all WISH" said he, aud sank
L. al
riage, and went out into the far world.
lie spent TWO years in going about the
world. and looked out on the right hand and
the left, and houses, caring for nothing bnt
the signs of tayerns where he was to stop.
After that he ran about in the city, and eX-
anincd the most remarkable things; but he
enjoyed nothing, no picture, 10 music; no
house, no dancing; his heart ofstorc took no
interest, and his eyes and his cars were dead
to every beauty. Nothing remained to linn
but the pleasure ofcating, drinking and sleep
ing, s. so he lived while he travelled through
the world without any object; eating for his
amusement, and sleeping because he had
nothing else to do. Now and then he re-
mcmbcrcd that he had been more gay and
happy when he was poor, and was obliged
to labor to earn his bread. Then he had en-
joyed every view down into the valley, Imu
sic and singing. lie had enjoyed for an hour
long the most simple food which his mother
used to prepare and bring out to him at his
coal pit. When he looked back thus upon
the past, strange sensation came over him
at the thought, that he never now laughed,
aGgfdI aSatrpGcrly he used TO augh nj thq small
out orpocneSs, Bit lis hGaft' did NOT laigli
with it. lie felt thar he was quiet, but yet
he did not feel contented. 1t was not home
sickness, nor grieGbut cmptncss,supcrfuiiy
joyless life which al last drove him home.
As ne came over from Strasburg and saw
the dark forest Of his home, when he pcrcctv- I.
ed for the first time, the strong forms, the
friendly true faces of the Black forcstcrs;
when his car heard the sounds of home, .
strong, deep. hut musical, then he felt sud I
denly for his blood moved quicker, and lie
thought he must rejoice and must weep; but
how could lie be so foolish, ho had only Il |
heart of stone, and stones are dead and nei-
thcr laugh nor weep.
His first visit was to Dutch Michael who
received him kindly "Michacl," said he, 81
have travelled, and have seen every thing,
but it is all stupidity, and am weary ofevcr-
V thing. Moreover your stony thing that
carry in my breast, TO he sure saves mo from
some things; am not angry, am never sad,
but then am never glad, and it is MS i'll
were only half alive. Cannot you give lit
tie more feeling to the heart ofstone, or rath-
or give me my old heart? had become &c
customcd to it in five and twenty years, and
if it sometimes played mo Il bad trick, yet
it was still merry and gay heart"
The wood spirit smiled grim and bitterly.
eWhen you are once dead, Peter Mnnk,"
answered he, 'thcn it shall not fail You, then
you shall have again your soft sensitive heart,
then you can feel what comes, JOY or suffer
ing but here You can never have 1t more.
Yet Peter, travelling as you have done aud
living us yon have, would not make you hap
nv Settle Yourself down here in the forest,
| build house, marry, manage your property;
| YOU have wanted something 10 do; because
YOU were idle you felt weary, aud laid all the
J blame on this innocent heart"
| Peter saw that Michael was right about
the idlencss, and he resolved to grow richer
and richer. Michael gave him another hum
drcd thousand guildorS, and they parted
good friends.
Soon the tale spread about the black forest,
that goldman Peter Munk, or gambling Pc
ter, was again there, and much richer than
before. Things went on as always; when
he was turned out of doors into the sun. but
now when on Sunday afternoon he made his
frs, appcarance, they shook him by the hand,
praised his horse, asked him about his trav-
els, and when he played again with Ezekiel
for hard dollars, he was thought as highly OF
as ever.
He did not carry on the glass works, but
the wood business; this, however, was only
for appearances. Ills principal trade was i'll
corn and money. Half the black forest be-
came in debt to him, he loaned money at
high interest and sold corn to the poor who
could not afford to pay, for three times as
much as it was worth. He was now in close
friendship with the sheriff, and ifany one
did not pay Peter Munk at the day, the sher-
ifand his men rode forth, sold house aud
L,rn ,nd drove father. mother and children