The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-07-31
Vol, II, No, 2, Whole No, 522.

and this was no ono but mother Munk, Pc
ter's mother. She had fallen into poverty
and want her house and barn had been sold
her son when Inc came bnck rich, had taken
no care Other. She came sometimes, old,
poor, and leaning on u stick, before his house,
but no spoke rudely to her, and drove her n
way, and she feared to come again. But il
grieved herto hive TO go to others for sup
port, when her own son might have made her
old age comfortable.
The cold heart was never disturbed by the
sight Of the pale well known features, 10y tho
beseeching looks, by the out stretched with
cred hand, by the wrinklcd ihce. Sulenly
he took, when she knocked at his door OF,
Saturday evening, small piece of money.
put II in piece of paper, and sent il TO her by
servant. lie heard her trembling voice
when she thanked him, and wished it might
be well with him upon the earth; he heard
her creeping coughing from the door, but no
thought nothing more about it, but that he
had given away piece Of money for moth
ing.
AT last Peter resolved to marry. lie knew
that any father in the Black Forest would
willingly give him his daughter, but he was
difficult in his choice, for he desired that his
fortune and his wisdom in this matter should
bc praised. lie rode all about the Black
Forest, and none of the young girls there
pleased hn--at last, after he had looked in
vain ut all the balls for the most beautiful, he
heard one day that the fairest and most virtu-
Gus girl in the whole forest was the daughter
Of n poor wood cutter. She lived silently and
retired, employed herselfbusily in her fathers
house, never was seen at the dancing parties,
nor even at Wbitesuntide, or High Mass.
When Peter heard ofthis wonder of the
Black Forest, lie concluded TO wed her. and
he rode 10 the hut which had been pointed
out to him. The father of the fair Lisbeth
received the grand gentleman with surprise,
and was still more astonished when he learn
ed that ii was the rich Peter, and that he de-
sired TO become his son in law. lie did not
hesitate long, for he thought all his care and
poverty would be at an end; he said yes,
without asking the far Lisbeth, and the good
child was so obcdient, that without contradic-
ton she became Madam Peter Munk.
But il was not as well with the poor thing
as she bad dreamed it would be. She
thought she understood how to manage the
house, but she could not please master Peter
with any thing. She had pity for the poor
and she thought it was 10 sin to give a poor
beEgar woman penny,or an old man glass
officer. But when Peter one day observed
it, he spoke with an angry look, and rude
voice, "WlIy do you sperd my wealth on
lagmuf1ins and vngabonds? Did you bring
any llIliS III lIlC lIOuSc lllul you CuD give a
way? A soup could not be warmed with
your fathers beGgar's staff, and yet you throw
money away like princess. fl see you do
il again,you shall feel tho weight my maud.
The fair Lisbcth wept in her chamber Mt
tho ho"d temper of her husband, and she Of
her father; she would far rather have been
there than 10 live with the rich but misery
Peter: all, fshc had known that he had
marble heart, and could not love either her.
self or any one else, she would not have been
so much surprised. But when she was sit
ting at.hcr door, and bogg0r passed by and
took ofi'his hat, and began 10 tell lis story,
she closed her eyes, that she need not behold
his misery, aud held her hand, which she in
put into her pocket for penny,
shut tight. For this reason il came 10 pass
hat the fair Lisbeth was blamed all through
tue forest, and people said she was still morS
misery than Peter NIunk.
But one day Lisbeth was sitting before the
house door spinning and humining tune,
for she felt gay, because the weather was fair.
and master Peer had ridden out across the
field. Now there came along an old man
heavy sack, and she heard him
a distance. She looked with
toward him, and thought what
pity that such a little old man should have TO
bear such heavy burden.
Meantime, the old man came slowly and
breathing heavily along, and when Inc came
opposite madame Lisbeth he almost sunk un,
der the weight of his sack. ooh, have mcr-
cy upon me good lady," said he, "and reach
me only cup ofwater," said the little mani
~ cannot go any farther, ] must die pliser-
ably"
"Butyo should not carry such heavy
burden in your old age" said Lsbcth.
"Ah, is it on account Of my poverty
and to gain ulouthtu of bread, thatI labor
as porter" replied he, but such rich la,
dy as you are, does not know the pains of
poverty; and how good draught of water
tastes when one is SO heated"
On hearing this she entered the house,
took pitcher from the shelf and filed it
with water, yet as she was going towards him,
and saw how feeble the old man looked as
he sat YEARLY upon his sack, she remen-
bcrcd that her husband was not at home, Sc
she put down her pitcher of water, took Ii
cup and filled it with wine, took with it a
good loaf of bread. and carried it to the old
man. IA drop of wine may he better for
YOU than water, you arc so old, poor man.
but do not drink too fast, and eat some bread
with it,"
The old man looked at her with surprise.
his eyes filed with tears, he drank and said,
81 have grown old, but have seen but few
persons who have been so kind, and have
bestowed their bounty so mildly ana pleas
anlly as you have done, Madam Lisbeth. but
it will be well with you for it, upon earth,
and so kind heart will not go unreward-
ed"
'No, and you shalt have your reward ups
OH the spot,' cried furious voice, and OF
looking round they saw master Peter, his
face rs red as fire. @
Sand is this the way you pour out my best
wine for beggars, and offer my own silver
cup to street walkers. Take your reward