The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-11-06

y
81 have no very particular wishes for that,
certainly" said the gentleman with smile;
"but where can find smith within any
reasonable distance"
There's one, and good one too, about n
mile from here, but think the horse can be
taken across my pasture to the shop much
nearer"
"Should be likely to meet with any diff
culty'about finding the way?"
"Why, yes, you might; and I'll tell you
what, sir-you had better let me clap my hoy
on to the creatures back, after embarrassing,
and he will take him over and get him shod,
while you take your little girl into the house,
and remain here. Benz continued the speak
err, shouting for the boy who had gone in with
the wood, with which we have noticed him
as loading himself "Ben! Ben Amsden! show
your profile out here in the yard, if you
will"
The boy promptly made his appearance.
"That boy?" asked the stranger, doubt
ingly. "My horse has considerable spirit
can he manage him safely%
Gle will think SO, | guess" replied the
farmer, laughingly. "Whot say you, Benlo-
min? We want you to ride this horse over
10 neighbor Dighlon's to get a shoe put on:&
the gentleman appears to have some doubts
whether you can manage him, seeing he has
some sprit-what 90 you think abont it,,
sir?"
"Why guess, I'll agree TO find neck as
long as the gentleman will find HORSE" said
tie boy smartly.
"Well, then, lead him with the wagon into
the yard; strip him of the harness; take our
bride, and ride across the pasture to the
shop; tell Mr.. Dighton TO put on shoe, and
charge it to me, as we have deal, though you
may ask the price, that the gentleman may
band it to me ifhe wants to. Come, Mister,
,,,I Trirl no me-
the house."
81 will assist the boy to unharness first"
90, no, it will be nothing but fun for him.
Come, come on. 1t is strange" continued
the man, after pausing a moment to see the
wagon got safely around into the yard, ''it is
strange what n natural difference there is i'll
boys. Now this chap, rs little knurl of a
thing as he appears, will mount and manage
anything in the shape ofhorsc-Hesh, even 10
the breaking of colts; while my other boy,
now tending the sugar place over in the
woods yonder, though nearly four years old
er than this, don't appear to have the least
notion about n horse, or any thing else
scarcely, in the way of active live, so long as
he can get n book to read aud think about"
Mr. Amsden-for such, as the reader may
have already inferred, was the farmers name
how ushered the travellers into the house
and introduced them, as such, to his wife, u
dark-eyed and finely featured dame, who re-
ceived them with simple kindness, and al
once proceeded to assist The little girl in I'M
robing herselfofthe thick outward garments
in which she was encased 10 guard against
the damps and chlls of the season.
, The girl who proved to be the gentleman
daughter, was apparently just entering hel
teens, neatly rounded, and rather slender in
form, and in feature and countenance the soft
ened and beautiful image of her very fine
mt
maciutcd father. The personal appearance
of both father and daughter, indeed, was OF .
character TO awaken at once the attention anC
, interest of the beholder; while the counte
nances of each exhibited so finely blended
an expression ofbcnevoience and intelligence
as to carry along with it the assurance OF
qualities within, which should secure the III
tercst and make good the prepossesslons
that outward comeliness had created. The
gentleman, US Just intmated, had the appear
auce of all invalid. Indeed, he soon stated
in the way ofaccounting for being on jour
: ney at such an unfavorable time, that, being
, about to take sea-Voyage for the Dcneht OF
his health he had broken up housekeeping
at his late residence, in a village some fifty
miles south of the place to which he had now
arrived; and it bad therefore become neces
sary to take his daughter, who, with himself,
now composed all his family, to reside, ii
; dence another days ride would easily carry
them.
A few moments, with the gentleman's cas-
and social turn, was sufficient TO place hin
on footing of familiarity with the family
: And having effected this and seen his daugh
ter beginning to appear cheerful and at ease
through the delicate and motherly attentions
, shown her by the amiable hostess, he pro
posed to Mr. Amsden walk to the barn fo'
; Ion Of
things as should afford samples of his man
; agement and skill as farmer.
"Certainly," said Amsden, evidently graft
fed at the interest which one, who did no
appear to be of his calling, seemed to take il
his farming affairs, certainly, sir, we will &c
: And YOU, wife," he continued, turning to tn
y dame, who was already giving signs of culin
: airy preparation, "you can Jock round httl
= while we are gone. aad see what can b
| done in the way of a dinner. These folks
. as well as ourselves, would like one soor
y probably"
,, "By being allowed to pay for it, we should,
q replied the gentleman.
3 "Time enough to talk about that whe
u you get it," rejoined Amsden good-humored
u ", as the two left the house on their way t
:, the barn.
!" On arriving at the yard, its various an
= thrifty looking tenants were successlvel
Il pointed out to the observing stranger by TN
farmer who proudly descanted OH the vii
g tues of his oxen, the qualities his cows,th
IL breed of his horses and colts, and his mod
of tending and rearing each, and the profit
he respectively derived from them Ate
% this. Amsden took his guest to little elevi
ID ton near the barn, and directed his attentio
-e TO the different portions of his farm, DESERT
ing the uses to which the various helds J
/ view were devoted, and dwelling on the at
l-l.. fIn mi