The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-11-27

and the eager diligence with which many of
them, both day and night,pursued their stud
les, particularly mathematical studies, they
mysteriously shook their heads, and said
"didnt know about these things: such IA
change might have come in natural way,
but they conduit understand it," 1t was n
greed on all hands, they further argued, that
the master was deep in figures. Capt. Bun
ker, who was considered the best natural
reckoner in those parts, had confessed that he
couldn't hold candle to him in that respect.
They had always heard that strange things
could be done with figures ifu person sought
to do so. Indeed, there was Il certain point
in figures, they supposed, beyond which, if "A
person persisted in going he was sure to
have help from one who Should be namcess,
but who always eNuctcd his pay for his assis-
lance. They hoped this was not the case
with their master; but If it was, and he was
trying to lead his scholars into the same for
hidden paths, it was no wonder that they
had such strange, blue looks; nor was it at
all surprising that sickness should come up
Oh them, as a Judgment. And they again
shook their heads, aud said dit was high time
that something should be dOne.'
Lett not be inferred, that we would con-
ycy the idea, that the people ofthc country
in which our scene is laid were generally as
supcrs,itiOus as some ofthe circumstances
here represented to have taken place might
seem to imply. They certainly were not 50.
And comparatively few locations, we pre-
sumo, could have been found, where such ar
gumcnts rs we have put into the mouths Of
some Of the good people Of this unculturcd
district, would have been listened to mo-
ment But our observations, made during
considerable travel and Intercourse among
the common classes ofpeople in tho Middle
and Markham Sintag I..,r IL,
instances of the prevalence of notions SINH
lar to those Just mentioned are still to be
found, and much oftener, too, than we had
formerly supposed. We have often come
across insulated noghborhoods, even in the
heart of Intelligent communities, where, to
our surprise, we found all the exploded no
tons Of witchcraft. sorcery, diviuation, and
the like, still entertained; and to an extent
Indeed, that led us almost to doubt whether
we had not by some miracle or other, been
carried back a century and Il half, and set
down among n elan of the immediate disci.
pies of old Cotton Mather, who spent so
much time aud learning in making mystery
and mischief about things which have no eX-
istencc, except in Imagination. Such n neigh
borhood, with few honorable exceptions,
we are constrained to say, was that of the
HOrn-GG the. Noon.
On tho day following that during which
the singular surmises aud discussions, to
which we have alluded, were started, two
more members of the school, were taken
down; and the situation of Henry Marvin had
become so alarming, that his agoni2ed moth
err, some time in the preceding night, had de-
spatchcd man for a physician ofhigh rep
utatiou, residing in n large village, known by
the name of CmicrSuMe, nearly thirty miles
distant; though she was compelled to pledge
her only COW TO dcfray the expenses of the
man, and induce him to become answerahle
to the doctor for his pay. All this, as may
be supposed, much increased the alarm in
the district, and quickcned into action those
who had busted themselves in getting up an
excitement against the master. Meanwhile,
the innocent victim of these absurd imputa-
tons remained ut his post, wholly ignorant
of the stir that was going on about him. and
thinking only of tho misfortune which threat
encd his school. On the evening the day
last mentionedhe dismissed his school early,
and with heavy heart repaired to tho resi-
dGnce Of the distressed widow, to visit his
sick little idvoriie. On reaching the house,
he entered the room ordinarily occupied by
the family; when he was introduced, by a
woman in attendance, TO DR.. Lincoln, the
physician before named, who. having arriv-
ed short time before, was now taking some
rcfIcshmCnt.
"Our little patient here is pupil OF yours,
sir?" inquiringy said the doctor, who was Il
small, considerations. but highly iutellcctu-
al man.
Gle is" replied Locke; "and can hardly
express how much anxiety feel for his sit
uaton, which, fear you will pronounce dan
Serous.'
"Your apprehensous, | regret to say, arc
but too well grounded sir"
"What do you consider the true character
Of his diseasc:"
|'Whaiovor it may have been at first, it is
now a brain fever, threatening congestion"
care you prepared to assign any particu-
lar causc:"
"Of lis first attack. am not In regard
TO the torin the disease has now assumed,
may be better prepared, perhaps, to give an
opinion after asking you a few questions.
What are the boys habits ofstudy and schol-
arship?"
'IKe is bright scEoIar-uncommonly so
very industrious and anxious to learn"
Il suspected so. And you have held up to
him what to Others perhaps, would scarcely
he an inducemcnt sufficient to move them,
but what, to his sensitive mind, has melted
him to unWonted exertions:"
cas- you say, sir, | may have said that which
had the effect to incite him: although, am
sure, have used moro cXertions with many
others"
81 presume so. 1t does not require tim
Der chain to draw a mser to a supposed bed
of gold. A bare glimpse of the loved trea-
sure is enough to kindle his whole soul for
the eager grasp. So with the youthful intel
lect, if bright, and united with strong love
oflearning. Aud let inc caution you, my dear
sir, how you spur on such mind, in one of
tender years. The body must he permitted
to grow,,as well as the mind. Very bright
i Il Il;