The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-12-02
The Parents Legacy.
AN INCIDENT IN REAL LIFE.

WHOEVER has travelled among the Scottish
hills aud daics, cannot have failed to observe
tho srrupunus fidelity of the inhabitants Ia
the old family Bible. A more honorable trait
of character cannot lie fnund-ior all men,
whether Christians or iulidels, nre prond Ia
pm reliance in those who make the Bible
their confidant, aud whose well-Ihumbed pa
ges show the confidence which their owners
possessed in them.
A few years ago there dwell in Ayrshire
an ancient couple, possessing ofIls worlds
gear sufficient to keep them independent
from want and woe and lettering steps. a
gallant ola farmer became enamored of the
daughter, and she nothing loauI, consented
10 lie his. As the match was one every way
worthy of her, the old folks consented. aud
ms they were DESTROYS of seeing their BARN
comfortable, the two were made one. In a
few short years The scylhe Of time cut down
the old people and they gave their bodies to
the dust aud their souls to the Creator.
The young farmer having heard much Of
the promised land beyond the sea, gathered
his buds, and selling such as were useless,
packed up those calculated to be Of service
to him AZ his new home. Some ueighbors
having the same itching for adventure, sold
Off their homes aud homcsleads aud get sail
for America.
Possessed Of considerable property in the
shape of "siller," this company We're not like
the generality of emigrants, poor and friend
less-but happy and full of hope for the flu
ture. The first thing done infer the landing
wns taking out The old heir loom, and return
ing thanks and praise TO him who had guild
ed then bark TO n snfe haven. As the far
mer's object in coming 10 this country was TO
purchase a farm and follow his old occupa-
lion, but little time was spent in the city lie
had arrived in, and as his fellow passengers
had previously determined on their destina-
ton, he babe them farewell, and with a light
heart turned his face towards the setting sun.
Indiana at the time Sns settling inSt,and hav-
ing heard gifts cheap nEI teru'e lands, lie
determined on settling within its borders
On the banks of the Wabash he tNed on n
firn, and having paid cash for -hnlG give
n mortgage for the balance, payable in one
year. Having stocked his farm and put seed
la the ground, he reslRd from his labor aud
patiently waited the time when he might go
Gi,:th and reap the harvest: but Mas! no grain
gladdened his heart or rewarded his toll
The fever of the country attacked him, aud
al the time when the fields were white with
the flliness ofthe laborer's skill death called
him home, and left his disconsolate wife
widow, and his only child an orphan.
We leave this first sorrow, and pass on 10
the struggles of the afflicted widow year af-
the mortgage was to he paid, she borrowed
the money of neighbor who had been very
attentive to her husband and to herself, one
who knelt at the same table with her to re-
new their professed obligation to the Giyer
of all good Hard aud patiently did she toll
to repay the sum against the promised time;
hut all would not do--forinne frowned, and
she gave way to her accumulated troubles
Disheartened and distracted she relinquist-
l.. I.,.,- . Nt-I1a
owed her Christian neighhor, who not salts
fled with that,prt an execution upon her iur-
niture.
On the Sabbath previous to the sale she
took courage, and strengthened herself with
the knowledge of having wronged no one,
went 10 the temple of her Father,aud with
heart filed with humanity and love, poured
out her soul TO SHIN who turneth not away" =
and having communed side by side with her
Christian neighbor, returned to her desolate
home.
Here her forttude had like to have failed
her but seeing the sold family Bible" she
reverently put it to her lips and sought con
ISOLATION from its pages. Slowly she peruses
its holy aud inspiring verses and gathering
hope from it's never falling promises.
The day of sale having arrived, her few
goods and cI,attels were in due course knock
ed off to the highest bidder, Unnoved she
saw pass from her possession article aiter
article without mnrnur, till the constable
held up the old family Bible. This was too
much. Fears flowed anil gave silent utter
nnce TO a broken heart She begged the con-
stable to spare her this memento of her rev.
cred and departed parents, and the humane
man of the law would have willingly have
given it 10 her, but the inexoralle creditor
declared every thing should be sold, us he
was determined to have nil that was coming
TO him. ....... ...........
The book was therefore put up. ard about
being disposed OF for n few shillings, when
she Suddenly spatched il, and declaring she
would have some relic Of those she ioveh cut
the slender thread that held the brown liuen