The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-07-24

Samuel and David and Goliath, and how
"The lowing kline unguioed went
BY the direntest road,
When the Phstines hOmeward sent
The ark Of Israel's GOdn
Our library was not very large, but to us it "was
ever charming, ever new, and We didn't know
that any other children had more than We and
so were satisfied.
But let me not linger as the waves close over
the drowning man, and the stream ripples on in
the sunshine as before time closes to-day over
the places we occupied yesterday-even in the
home circle, after short absence, we come back
and find it narrowed, or another in our place, and
no room for us any more.
The harvest was done, and the cattle were
turned into the ne WY shaver mesdows-how they
ran hither and thither, pushing from the tufts Of
fresh, white clover their weaker fellows, and,
though full TO repleton, feeding. Still the corn
was not yet ripe, and for man and beast there
was holyday Mr.. Claverel was come home
from town, and sat on the porch, reading the
newspapers He was tired, but gOod-humored-
tired because he had ridden the black mare in
place of dividing her IA the carriage. She was as
good critter, he said as there was in the world,
IL she only had Tom on the near side to draw the
load; go in consideration of her balky propen-
sites, he GENERALLY rode, unless Tom occupied the
aforesaid positon-he was good-humored because
everything had gone on smoothly since the de-
parture of Richard Martha and Jane stood at
the kitchen-table busy with the contents of the
market basket-there were great brown paper
packages of sugar and coflee-one smaller one in
thin, white paper, probably tea, from the excla-
nation, 90 isn't il good! ~ which they made as
they inhaled its fragrauce-then there were num-
srless little square packages in blue papers, la
belled. fne ground ginger, best allspice, &c
These they seized eagerly, and demanded guesses
each of the other as to what they held, and wheth
er the guess were right or wrong the laugh that
followed was equally hearty.
David and Oliver were cutting wood at the
door merely for pastime for they had been chop
,,ft,e .<,,,, -, .Ss7 iss..As SeA1s NOS t%i~ TNs
merely playing with time until tea was ready, to
Wnien, owing C., 'S- ~ '7r'-,'iSe tbAy were
always prepared to do honor while Mrs. Claverel,
that ever-busy housewife, was plying her even
ing care The snowy cloth was already spread,
garnished with sundry temptations-golde but
ter, and delicious bread, and bush-ripe blackber
ries and the pitcher Of rich, yellow cream. No
place was arranged for Richard, and Martha and
Jane had been promoted to the occupancy of his
deserted chamber and all the articles he left at
home had been carefully packed away by the
provident and loving hands of her whose mantle
of charity was wide enough to cover all the faults
of her child.
There was growl from the sleepy watchdog
"
rushing forth and a defiant barking-suddenly
he paused, and, crouohing in the pathway, began
TO whine his welcome-the girls left their basket,
aud ran to the door-Dayid and Oliver put down
their axes--and Mr. Claverel, taking off his spec
taces wiped his bright blue eyes, and looked
around the corner of the porch.
Z" oh dear, he's done great things" exclaimed
both the girls, at once.
"He has finished his education, expect said
49, han fhatr aho
(" Dolly,n called Mr.. Claverel, looking toward
the Kitchen masy on us, Dolly, Richard has
come homen
"Is it possible - said Mrs Claverel; "poor
boy, he must be sick; why, it is only two weeks
since he went away But whether sick or well,
Richard was sure of welcome from her. Mar
tina and Jane eyed him curiousy, affecting the
laughter with which they seemed to be convulsed,
as though in fact he had made himself so ludi-
crous that laughter was unavoidable. Mr. Clayer-
ell resumed his paper with an uneasy gesture and
frownng brow as though the arrival were I'M
expected and unweIoome. Mrs ClavefeI alone
went forth, half hesitatingly, half cordially, to
meet him. Affecting not TO see her, he dropped
his eyes to the ground and led his Bucephalus
he had learned to pronounce his name) back TO
the stables with his father and sisters side,
and his brothers on the other, but without MOTTO
ing them, or receiving any notice. Supper vas
present himself and Martha was sent forth to
bid him come, presently returning with the in-
telligence that she could not find him; upon which,
Mr.. Claverel drew up his chair to the table, say
ing" Come boys, come girls, in tone that in
Dictated little concern about Richard, and Mrs.
Claverel was reluctantly forced to pour the tea,
The supper, though superlatively good, was not
relished well by anybody, and partaken OF in ST.
lence. When it was finished, and Mr. Claverel
had taken a kettle Of warmed milk to feed the
weaving calves, and gone out Of the house, Mrs.
Clayerel put the teapot close to the fire. and sent
Jane and Martha together, with the earnest in
junction TO look carefully all about, and see if
they could not find Richard, and tell him TO come
in at once while his father was gone out. On
heap Of straw that lay on the barn-hoor they
found him stretched at length; but he refused to
90 in, saying he sick and IL was not until
after nightfall, and when he was assured that the
family were retired TO rest that his mother her.
self could persuade him to do So
He was ashamed and mortified at his conduct,
and as usual sought to pslliate it in some measure
with the old story-he had had bad luck The
teachers were all blOokheads and as for his board
ng-house, he would rather live in smoke-house
and cook for himself he didn't think his bed had
ever seen clean sheets, and the pillow was so
small that it actually made his head ache to sleep
on it--so much so, that he was utterly incapable
Of study besides the students were set Of fools
that thought they knew everything, whereas they
didn't know beans In view Of all this, aud much
more not worth repeating he had resolved to
prosecute bis studies at home he didn't see why
he could not learn just as well there anywhere,
and his mother didn't see either so IL was resolv-
ed that his room should he fitted up as a study,
and that, without going from home, he should de-
vote himself entirely 10 books. Martha and Jane,
delighted as they we're with their new quarters,
having the secret promise of new dolls, were in
| duced TO give him peaceable possession; Mrs.
| Clavere mediating as she best could between the
unstable, home-sick baby and his indignant father
| and brothers
"You know, Sammy she said, Richard has
always been used 10 a good home and kind IA
Their, who made the most bountiful provision for
him. Mrs Claverel had tact) Mr.. Claverel
mas little Aattered. He had he said, tried TO
provide for his own household"
eyes and you hare provided-nobody can say
| 70 the contrary Of that,p was the timely reply,
and guess Richard has found 1t out now, and
will hereafter better appreciate his blessings
Mr.. Claverel said he hoped So This was quite
encouraging and, secure Of little vantage
ground, bat in justice to her, must say with no
intention Of deceviDg, but only DESTROYS Of max
ing all smooth. she went on to say-"l expect 1t
would be a little hard for any Of us to 20 from
home among strangers where everything was
new aud different from what we had been used to
have, and stay cOntentedly-she was sure she
should not want to live as Richard said he had
to-poor boyi"
So by dint Of Mrs Claverel's management, and
Richards pretty sedulous application for few
lays, the new arrangement went forward, as mat
ter Of course, with only the occasional jar OF Mr.
Claverel's calling Richard the sick student"
md Of Martha and James twitting him, when
ever he displeased them, with En-, you got home
sick, and had to come back TO motherl
At the end of two weeks, however, he began to
grow weary, and TO think his room very small ana
iorsaona piaca That was not the way 20 learn, he