Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-09-02

whose name wNs Fox. took set of books, n
Commentary on the Bible, and sold them to meet
he demand. But Mr. s. was an acute Yankee;
nd before the day of sale, advertised that he
would pny no debts contracted by his wife. The
books were sold, and Mrs S, bought them, The
bill was in due form presented, but it was too
ate. The books were gone, and the bill was
not collected. II was soon rumored that the
goose had caught the For,
We exceedingly reprobato all levity in con-
necton with tho worship Of God or we should
admire the ingenuity and laugh at the wit of the
following narrative, which we introduce to show
The utter impossibiIily of enforcing the law
which injudicious seal has enacted.
This fact also relates to the time when cur
Forefahers attempted to enforce religion on the
people, and when the statute required the atten.
dance of every individual at church, at least
once month It will be eden that even Among
the Purltans, there we're some, as there are now
to whom this important duty was quite irksome.
The deacons and controlling powers of the sew
eral parishes were accustomed to meet at stated
periods, to ascertain who had violated the law,
and to award the punishment. OF course, these
meetings were looked upon with anything but
pleasure and the proceedings and the results Of
the " penalty conferences formed the subject Of
gossip among all classes. AT regular confer
ence in the little village of D, it was as
certained that but one individual had broken the
statute. This offender was an old man, of sim
gular genius who resided but few rods from
the meeting house. A conmIite9 was appointed
to wait upon the delinquent, and report. Ac.
cordingly, the next morning, three of the leading
members wended their way to Old BllIy's Cabin
Suspecting their errand, he met them IA no
very good bumor They proceeded 10 state the
nature Of his offence, and concluded by inform
ing him that unless be appeared at church next
Sunday, he must take the consequences. Billy
pleaded the excuse that he had not fit clothes,
but without avail. The committee answered that
they had given their decision, and he must abide
by IT, and with these words they left him. The
offender seeing things had gone so far, concluded
that something must be done. His ingenious
aud odd disposition soon fixed upon plan by
which he might evade the penalty, and revenge
himself
1t was the early spring time, when the trees
were ii led with sap, and the bark was green and
pIiable. The next morning Billy arose, and
shonldered his ak, went to the wood, and in
short time, collected a cart 10 d of burk. 1t
was speedily conveyed to his dwelling. The
plant bark was easily united and soon com
oitte Sut Of clothes was the result of his toll.
The next morniDg, being Sunday, at the appon
cd hour, the congregation were in their seats
lnd the minister was just reading hymn, when
u strange noise was heard at the door-crick
ett- e---eFack- crIck Every
one turned to ascertain the cause, when there
came Billy marching up the aisle, y" with slow
and measured tread clad in his rustic suit, and
with muscles altogether immoveabe. AS might
be supposed, sacred as was the place, a general
ar greeted this uncouth arrival Minister,
deacons, people and children, all went off into
hearty gufaw.
The best of the story remains to be told.
There was also law against laughing in church
Billy, knowing this, fixed his eyes upon the
most prominent, and the next day entered com
pant against them. They were each fiaed five
hounds. one-haf of which went to the nformer.
At the next " penalty meeting" suit of clothes
was voted to Billy made of some fashionable
matcrial.-Waichman and Reflector.