The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-05-13
A Garden in Deep Mourning;
or the way Squire Easysoul
was Reformed.

Captain Jabez Noweed is one of the very
best gardeners in all the region bordering on
the Kennebec; and it puts this fine old gen
tleman' in as much pain merely to cast a look
at some gardens, as those buZzing little mil
lers exhibit on summer eve when they lose
their wings in battling with the taper.
Squire jason Easysou lives in Jabez's
neighborhood but so far as gardening opera
lions are concerned, it would seem that he
did not profit much by his neighbours good
example, as his prominent garden crop has
usually been weeds.
Many and many is the time the Captain
has taken the Squire to do relative to his SLOW
emily gardening operations, with a view and
sincere hope of bringing about a salutary
reformation, but his efforts have beer crown
ed with i'll success.
Last summer the Squirrels garden was UNI
commonly neglectedS and when the weeds
had attained such growth as to almost COM
pletely conceal from view the sickly looking
vegetables, the Captain could NOT contain
himself any longer. and resolved upon des-
perale effort TO bring his neighbor TO his SEN
SEES, affirming that if this last scheme didn't
work, the Squire and his garden might both
go TO grass
One day the Captain was marching slowly
home from this unpleasant, and, to him,
on the ground, and his hands clasped behind
him, musing and looking for all the world as
though something very uncommon and af-
hictive had happened, when Aunt Squigges
attracted by his unusual appearance, came to
the door and inquired
whats happened, Capn?
Some one is dead at Squire EasysouPs, !
suspect
DO lell--who can it be--neYer heard any
OMEN was sick-it can't be--Who told you
sop
NO one told me so, but then suspect such
must be the CASE
ooh! lor-mortaIs all we be, dropping down
like the grass-who knows whose turn will
come neXt--I must go right over to the
Squirrels and console 'en.'
Il saw deep mourning there as passed.
lit must bet must be, Exclaimed the good
lady, as she turned and entered the house.
The Captain went home, and Miss Squig-
giles soon spread the melancholy news all ov-
er the neighborhood. Great was The grief
rendered doubly so by the suddenness of the
evcnI, no one having heard that any ofthe
Squire's family had been ndisposed.
In few minutes several good ladies led by
Aunt Sguiggles, were seen vending their
way toward the Squirrels, often making use
of their linen 'kerchieis to wipe away the
tears. They entered the front yard with
trembling steps, beating hearts and moisten-
ed eyes. One ofthe Squire's daughters, see
ing the sorrow-strickened group approaching
aud fearing thar something dreadful must
have happened in the neighborhood, ran and
appraised her father, mother and sisters, who
Immediately rushed 10 the door. Aunt Squig-
giles was surprised al meeting them thus,and
thundersiruck when they spoke, with one
voice, and inquired what had happened.
Oh, dear, aint it So? exclaimed Aunt.
sWhy, what do you mean? explain your
SELF said the Squire, his feelings wrought up
to high pitch for him.
sWhy, aint any one of your folks dead?'
said Aunt with heavy sigh
'Dead-dead,' repeated the Squire,-'Why,
who told you such story?
Captain Noweed said he expected some
on We was deadp
Captain Noweed told you he suspected
some one ofus was dead Can it be possible!'
He said so-and when asked him what
made him suspect so, he said he saw deep
mourning here when he passed.
| Saw deep mourning here? What can my
GOOD neighbor mean? Sit you down while J
go for the Captain for an explanatory said
the Squire, as he put OH his hat.
just as lie stepped from the threshold ne
espied the Captain approaching. He beck
oned to him-inyied him into his house, and
i'm the presence of the anxious listeners,ask
for an explanation.
Ttold her suspected some one was dead
here, and the reason for my Suspicion, ana
that was, that / s1,0 deep mourning here"
Deep mourningp said the Squire, puzz'ed'
what do you mean'
Il mean just what said replied the Cap
tain firmly.