The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-04-15
Vol. II, No. 80. Whole No. $50.

| gnnwing worm.
MIR Poterfcd, lie NJ length said, 'how shall
| repair the injury have done youF
1T is too late now returned the collector,
canIly. THE past is forever past The
pages of our Book of Life are nearly full aud
cannot be written over again. God overrtles
all for good. TO him look as draw near
my end, and patiently awHit my change. ]
hive suffered much in The wearisome iourll-
ey have come, but suffering has taught mo
many lessons ofwisdom. do NOT complain
But you nre poor. Your children ARE
poor. You arc all doomed TO labor early and
lute for food and raimentn
'We labor cheerully. Adversely has taught
us contentnent and trust in Providence. We
know that our bread will he given and thar
our water is suIe.'
Il will repair, in some small degree, the
wrong have DONE snd Wiley, after few
moments of thoughtful silence. Your last
days shnll he made more comfortable. will
Immediately settle upon you II life annuity
ofa thousand dollars year.
bright spot glowed the old mans
cheek, as he replied
mo, Mr. WiIey.I cannot accept oft, have
still health and portion ofstrength sufficient
for my daily duties. These yield me all ]
require. Ii ask for no more. Ifyou have done
evil III any part Of your life, repent before
God. IL all lies now between Him and You;
for what you took from me- lie restored MS
bad need
1t was in vain HAT the attorney urged; Por-
tertield was firm. lie would have touched
fire sooner lhun he would have touched his
money.
In The humble dwelling that stood opposite
the splendid mansion Of Wiley, there WAS
more happiness than lie had supposed. Tho
bent form Of the old collector was not
pressed down with the heavy burdens of la
Dor and care as lie had thought. But still, as
he daily saw him coins t.c:,,!: IN all weathers,
slea1y as clock to bis appointed dutieS -. &c
he sat in his easy chair, IN his elegantly attir-
ed pnrors, his heart would sinite him aud
he would turn his eyes away 10 shut ont the
sight. But The tighter lie closed his organs
OF bodily vision the more distinct before him
was the STOPPING figure, and long, thin, gray
locks ofthe old inau opposite.
Thus the time wore on, and Wiley was
rnnpmg the harvest he had sown years before.
He had scattered the seed with reckless hand;
hut the principle of life was IN it, and while
he thought not ofwlat he planted was putting
down its small fbres Into the ground, and
shooting up its green leaves to gather strength
in the warm sunshine.
YEARLY passed the months and years and
at last the old attorney Went down to his
grave. The sun of his life did not go sniil-
ngly behind the cloudlcss hill of time, bnt
SCI in darkness and mental gloom. There
WAS a Codcil 10 his will dated after Ills inter
view with the old collector, in which was a
beqnest of five thousand dollars to each of
Porterfeld's daughters. No reason for the
bequesl was assigned. The heirs were sur
Irised and dSpeased at it. But the executor
Of the will paid over the sums bequeathed.
To ali there is seed time and harvest.and
whasoevcrn man sows, that shall he reap
reap here as well MS hereafter.
In old age, when the mind needs quiet and
repOse, who would he troubled by the haunt
ing ghosts of wrong and passion!
God forbid that l should' must be- the in
voluntary prayer ofevery one,