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

on an area of about five acres, composed the
sugar place. The farmer, now espying some
tubs at n short distance from the path, that
needed adjusting on their sinking louhua-
tons Of snow, stepped aside, bidding The ON
or 90 on; and the latter accordingly proceed
cd with leisurely step, alone towards inc
boiliug-place. On arriving within rod or
two Of the spot, he paused, and looked around
for the one in superntendence; when lls eye
soon fell on the person of n boy about SIN
teen, lying on some straw Mt the NOUN Oh
the shnntee, which opened towards the row
of boiling kettles in front. Tie lad had CT
phcriug slate, and large, old, cover-worh
volume spread before him; and upon this he
was so Accordingly engaged, that neither the
sight or sound of his approaching visitor APP
peared TO make the least impression on hls
senses. Hestating to disturb one evidently
so little expecting it, the stranger stood mo-
ment, now looking around for the absent lar
mer, and now glnncing With an AR OF interest
and surprised curiosity at the picturesqe at
ttude, shapely limbs, aud finely turned head
ofthc hoy; who, with bosom thrown open,
hat cast inside, the fingers ofone hand twisted
| in his curly, raven hair, and those CT the other
grasping the nimbly-plying pencil, was thus
engaged in an employment so little looked
for by the other OH n common farm, and least
of ali in the woods. The gentleman was not
allowed, however, much time for his Inuslng
upon so unusual n spcctaclc; for, the next
moment, our little student of the woods leap
ed suddenly upon his feet, and, with the eX-
ulting shout of Archimedes of old, exclaimed
aloud, 81 have done it! have done il F." add
ing, as he turned back and shook his fist at
the book, "now, Old Pike, just show mo an
other sum that can't do, will you? you are
conquered sir |"
Having thus delivered himself the boy
turned round, when, his eyes for the first
time falling upon the stranger, he instantly
dropped his head, and stood covered with
shame aud confusion.
"Locke !" exclaimed the farmer, emerging,
ut this juncturc, from the bushes Oh the OPP
posite side ofthe fire, and going up and peer
ing into the stcamiug kettles, why, Locke,
what have YOU been about This smallest
kettle has boiled down into sugar, aud is burn
ing up, dirt, settings, and all together! =
Where on EARTH" he petuluntly continued,
hastily swinging off the kettle, "whero on
earth can have been the boys eyes and wits,
to stand by and let ten or dozen pounds of
sugar spoil for want Of putting in little sap!
What is the meaning of it? What is the case?
POUNDS, sir, why don't you speak"
But the now doubly confused object oithis
TRADE ofthe provoked farmer, was unable to
utter one word in eXtenuution OF his delin-
quencv; and, after one or two Intellectual at
tempts to speak, sunk down on log, aud hid
his burning face with his hands. At once
approaching the feelings of the boy, and
touched at the sensbilities he exhibited under
the mingled emotions arising from wounded
decacy and conscious fault, the stranger
Immediately nterposed, 10y observing as lie
pointed to the slate and arithmetic still lying
where the owner had used them,
"Your boy is a mathematician, l perceive,
= sir; and yonder is the innocent cause, and ut
= the same time the excuse for his oversightas
have reason to suspect"
eyes, yes, III warrant it," replied Amsden
pettishIy, SITS just like him. His head is al
ways so full of his cphering questions, gram
mar puzzles, and all sorts Of bookish wrink-
les, that there is no room for any thing else;
and can scarcely trust him to manage the
most simple business he is often so absent
minded and laundering"
"Aud yet" said the other, al should feel
proud ofhis faults while they sprang only
from such causes, if was his father. Come,
come my lad" he continued, turning and
, soothngly addressing the boy, "cheerup; you
have committed no very serious offence, l
suspect. At all events, will venture to take
the sugar which your father thinks is spoiled
off his hands, and pay full price for it, to give
to nv little girl down at the house. She is
very fond of the maple sweet, | believe"
"Pay for it?-buy it? No, you shan't Ut
less YOU really want TO buy some for your
: SELF and then you should have some better
than this" quickly interposed the father, TAX
en- wholly aback by this unexpected PROPOSE
ton and course of the stranger; mo, indeed,
= sir. Why, it is ali nothing. was only a
little yexed at the boys carelessness, that's
all. care nothing about the sugar, even II
5 it had been burnt up, as it is not, presume.
= But we will now see. And nj any rate, the
: little girl shall have as much sugar as she
r wants, without paying for it either. Locke,
bring us q clean tub to turn it into, and we
will see what can be done with it,"
"You are quite mistaken about the quaint
t tv of what might he made of all that is IN
q that kettle, father," said the hoy, now bright
h, ening up, and bringing the receptacle asked
e for; II took the syrup from the kettle put a
= few hours ago, and, gathering few pals OF
e the clearest sap could find, and straining it.
g filed up anew, thinking would boil down
J, few pounds as nice as could for brag SUI
!, gar" :, :,
"Well, it does look pretty clear, and 1t Is
" not done down to sugar yet, see. was
deceived by there being so little OF 1t" re-
n marked the father, in u moderated tone, al
l. he turned off into the tub the rich, red mud
o which, after ALL had only boiled down TO th'
consistency of very thin molasses. "O,yes
Il this NAV he brought to something quite de
Y cent. Have you any milk or eggs for clean
e sing, Locker"
r ayes, sir, BOTH"
g "IVeil, then, beat up tho white Of an egg
q and add a little milk, ifyou please; ana ny tn'
Is time YOU have prepared the mixture, WI
II have the syrup cool enough for clarifying
l. We may as well finish it now, perhaps:
n In a few moments, the liquid was suincient
J. " cooled, the mixture stirred in, ana th'
n whole placed in the kettle over small hre
l. before which the farmer, with SKINNER il
:, L,,d tool his station IN he ready for the pro