The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-01-16

4
care OF its own poor, aud they had staid II
: home, they needn't suffer-" ..,...r..
"Who We're they? how did they look
where did they come from" inquired MI a
once. br,F .ftr.is..a r.,.I,. u. ......
sob they looked bad enough; there was M
old man, and a girl not SO big as Marion, ano
they came from some place down below tina
never heard OF before. The old codger sale
he was going to see his brother up north, bu
| guess he made mp that story" t.,....
"Why Dick. didn't think you'd turn off al
old man, and poor shivering girl, in such /
night as this" md as James spoke he Wen
to the window, adding, q don't think ihn
father and mother will come, it storms so, if
they nre on the way they'll stop somewhere
"The old mans breath smell ofrum," an
swered Richard, "and if he can buy that he
can buy lodging. | did pity the girl { o be
sure, for when told him the tavern was two
miles Off she said, oh dear, that seems II
great ways;' but then father says it's only en-
couraging folks TO drink, ifyou do anything.
for them when they wander about So" ..F
Richard did indeed repeat an oft-heard
sentiment of his father when he said this, for
though worthy man in most respects, Mr.
Graham was one of those who "remember
the poor" only so far as the sufferers are
good and virtuous and struggling hard 10
o. q.
But the holier teachings of his wife had
given other and better feelings, md Richards
conscience smote him when little Annie quiz
city said, "mother would moi have sent them
away ifthe man did drink rum" -..f
"You promised us story cousin Marion,"
said Richard, glad to turn from painful sub
Ject, "tell us one about old times, like those
best" ''Tell about war;" said James. "a
bout Indians" said Fred. "About when you
was little girl like me-" said Annie. "Tell
us about something you never told us before"
snid quiet boy in one corner. . ..f
Ifthe gifted Marion had, one power in per-
lection it was that highly valuable but rare
gift of telling stories. There was long low
seat in the kitchen, which they called "sel-
tie" it answered the purpose of wood-box
and sofa in the winter evenings, and being
painted bright red aud vanished, it looked
like good natured laughing face in front of
the fire. On this the children used TO sie for
hours Bnd listen to cousin MarioI's enchant-
ing stories, which were usually The thrilling
realities of History dressed in her own glow
ing thou ghs. Sometimes she recied IN old
airy tale Of some wild legend ofearly times;
1ut tonight the white lumed dove lay low
ngly by her and her eyes rested sadly on its
rembliug breastas it uttered those low lnoun-
ng sounds, which nothing on earth equals IN
'laintve sadness. Marions heart beat lime
o the mouruful notes, for there We're noble
ceilings striving against her woman's fearful
less; thoughts of the poor sufferers in that
Wild storm, oftheir peril and it might he of
heir death.
She rose resolutely and said, "Pm going TO
ind those beggars," and as she spoke she be-
an TO wrap shawl around her, while her
1vely face glowed with courageous feeling.
"Don't CO." plead little Annie, "you will be
II hurled up in the Stow"
"GOd will take care of me, ANNIE" she nm
wered, laying the biue-eyed dove in the
bild's lap. '
"You shall not go alone, cousin Maron.''
nd Richard, whose better feelings were all
by little reflection.
"rll carry the lantern" said Jamea, for
'ugh boy MS he was, he knew how to admire
er heroic resolution, e. lie knew the peril of
ich an Grand A'. 1902 ."
While they are hastily wrapping cloaks g.
bats around them,we will follow the beggnrs
their lonely path. .T.--. .rg
''That house looked some like our old
ome, didn't it pa" said the pale, sad hearted
ri, as she looked back OH the lighted house
here shelter had been refused Them. "Oh,
ow l wish we were back where we used TO
ve," she added, as tile old man walked on
lently. '3 ''-''...', si. ..'. '' -a
"You have forgotten tav'nt you than the
d place don't belong TO us now he answer
harshly: "don't worry about it, for we can't
lip il now" ~' "''" '''' ''
81 know it," she said sadly, 1--WE have ma
,me any where" Oh how monrnfnlly those
nple words were spoken, bearing the tale
young heart crushed and blighted, of
Jung hopes chilled forever. fttouched ev-
the heart fthe hardened father and he
ew his rnotherless child close to his side,
"poor dove, poor fsabel.'' Az
e beggar girl bore that proud name, and SIC
i'd graced it in happier days; when her faith
was an honored and trusted man; when the
,biest vessel on the broad lakes was his
vn; before rum had ruined God-like ill.,
llect, and wasted princely fortune. 7- f
1t was dark now III those forsaken hearts
en- as on Gods earth, and their path was
st; faster came down the binding snow, and
their utter desolation the wanderers at last
I down, unable to proceed and weary with
ertion. Andfhe neglected Isabel lay fold
in the bosom 'ofthe father whose fallen for
mes she had SO devotedy shared, and hot
ars fell from his eyes on her pale face. '1s-
ell, darling can you forgive me that I have
prived thee of love and home, and every
ing upon earth2 can yoi, forgive me for be-
2 n drunkard?n 800 7lm 71'-Eo hur
Oh father, do not talk of those things nowI
j happy in dying with you, dear; dear f;ither.,i
Shadowy phantonis gathered sliiny round
9 repenting man, pointing far back to a lost
me and character, to the grave ofa broken
arted wife, and TO the fast closing eyelids
his gentle daughter. Broken words ofag-'
y and contrition 1ningiedwit the hollow
'ge that the old trees sung over the dying
Isabel's eyes were shut: the father knew it
bending his cheek down till it to,lchea
RS, and he felt almost glad that he saw not