Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1852-02-06

Christmas eve, they would open their eyes, and
ears when they heard something which could
speak and show for ITSELF Then ran OIL, be-
fore they could ask me what it was.
Christmas e,e came, aud the fcstal tapers
were lighted. When the folding doors were
opened, we, children, rushed in, and thea stop
ped mute with wonder. NV heart beat violent
"; there, indeed, lay watch for me On the
table, but alas it was silver! Ny Joy was
danpcned, but calmed myself, and sad "sll-
yer is much whittier ana thicker, ani it ticks
loudly." | pressed the handle with all my
might, dut it did not strike. A fearful sorrow
came on me. "lt Is good for nothing" said |.
| laid the watch down, ana hastily leaving the
room, run to my chamber, and wept and lamen>
ted as il my heart would break. Then | tho't
| would kill myself since mad no gold repea-
ter, and | wept gain over nay ycung life, now
that must die, since my hopes were not al.
satisfied. Ny mother soon came with lirht,
and when blamed her for the unutierabe sor-
row that had felt from the deception, .Ae pres-
scd her lips together, and looked upon M wita
those true, loving eccs. winch | scc ever bcIu.-
ing. although death has since CLOSED them.
She told Inc my error,-that would have
been delighted with simple watch if | had
never heard Of god repaater-tnlt my tIther
had teased me. tU glte Inc Il lesson ~ be happl
with less than | expected. | should not be un
grateful to God or nan.l Sc she spoke III her
mild, earnest tone. uRd as had exhausted the
fountain Of my tears, went down IL the par-
lOr. | was no longer sad. nor yet joyous, ANA
it was u capital time-kecper now possessed.
When lay on my bed, the wicked spirit
came again, and | resolved to open the window
and throw away my watch, but II WAS cold. and
| lay still. How often are evil deeds restrIin-
ed By trlhng circumstances and hnw little rea-
son have we to pride ourselves upon our viz
tues
OverpowercG with weeping and excitement.
was soon fast asleep, and rcioiced the next
morning to hcar how Justly my watch licked.
For eight days, avoided all ny compamonS,
and they soon forgot my boasungs ! wore tac
watch without showing 1t To any one. ana w.
greatly pleased with it. 1t Is now forty years
since tI!at time, and sill wear the watcl nor
does it lose minute.
Since then ! have understood my mother.
words, or found myself the point ct my story.
If see u man satisfied with nothing he has,
because he expected something better, think,
"he icGS hOping. ior u OH rsp,utey.' ~ hen
undertake some business, and 1t yeAes me tHnt
it does not turn out As | expected | say 10 ny
self, "are you Mintiag still Of It g9ii npeatu|
Ii see u man aiming at rank or some other
high thing. and onig Increasing his sorrow Jy
bein. obliged to remain in subordinate posi-
ton, say "io not S!rive 10 mate yotU tcutcd
strike ; BE- coateat IeM It good time teeper.' Il
| observe youthful par. who had looked for
ward to lite - I qperpofull marriage feast ans
Will be satisfied wltl nothing, when the ar i:
not breathing music, bdt becomes an everr day
atmosphere, still think, oil! cJuid they no
f,,y,r,I he ,-ojI rgy.ut4rt