Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-06-24
miscellaneous.
THE THREE WISHES.

A GREAT many years ago, before railroads
and stage-coaches had chased the fairy peo-
pie from the green meadows and smooth
lawns, where they loved to sport beneath the
soft light of the moon-and from the shady
groves, and sequestered gens, where they
were wont to repose during the long sum-
mers day, Graded within the bell of the
modest cowsip, or the fragrant honey-suckle,
and before Sunday schools, and national
schools, and infant schools, had driven them
from their homes in the hearts and magma
tons of Engand's simple peasantry in
those days when the active, industrious
maiden would, on awaking in the morning,
find I" a tester in her Shoe" and the lazy
sloven who had been sleeping when she
ought to have been working, would be
"pinched black and blue ;'-when Joy was
often turned to grief, and mourning to glad
ness, by fairy agents there lived in village
in the west of England young man named
Robert, or, as he was commonly called, Rob
in Maynard. He was the son of poor pa
rents, who died when he was very young,
But the little orphan was not deserted his
uncle, William Maynard, received him I'M
der his humble roof, and brought him up
with fathers care.
Robin was taught to read and write at the
village school, and, as soon as he was old
enough to work, his uncle began to instruct
him in his own trade, which was that of a
shoemaker.
As Robin was a clever, industrious lad,
he was able, in the course of few years to
be very useful, and, by his attention and dill
igence, to make some return for the kindness
which he had received from his uncle dur
ing the years of his helpless infancy, Will
liam MAYNARD was very fond of his nephew
and loved to look forward to the time when
he would be comfort and support to his
old age. But this time was never to arrive
William was taken suddenly ill earthly
help was vain, and before many days had e
lapsed, Robin followed to the grave the re
mains of his kind uncle.
1t is a sad feeling to awake in the morning
with an underlined sensation OF grief lying
cold and heavy at the heart, and gradually
as the memory awakens, and the perceptions
become more clear, to feel, as the mournfu
truth presents itself by degrees to the mind
that the dreams of the night, gloomy thougl
they were, werenot so dark as the sad reality
Such were the feelings of Robin when h
opened his eyes, and gazed around the des
olate apartment, on the morning after hi
uncles funeral. He had lost all that wa
most dear to him in this world, and he fel
that he was indeed alone.
But he was not of a disposition to Civ
way to useless dependency. He though
how much cause he had to be thankful tina
so kind a friend had been spared him for S
many years, and he felt more than eve
grateful to that friend for having brough
him up in habits of industry and selfdenia
Robin now set himself seriously to cor
slider his present situation, and to arrang
his plans for the future. He was ninetee
years of age, strong and active, and an el
cellent workman he certainly was but youn
to commence for himself, but yet he did M
despair of success he trusted that his III
cle's old friends would not desert his nephew
and he resolved it should not be his iaul
if those who employed him were not sati