The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1852-09-04

brother and |, with our dear mother, who is ,
old and infirm. A poor hut built on the sod
covered with bark-a little potato field-such
Is all that we possess. In summer, we split
wood in the forest, or we helped the peasants t
with their work: we can thus earn a little
money, which helps our mother to live. But
IN winter, sir. ah then we are very misera-
bic indeed. The snow covers the ground =
the wind shakes our mean little dwelling
the ram pcnetrateS it every where and freez-
es on our very clothes We who are Young
can bear all that; but our mother sir our
poor mother-oh. oh when we see her pale,
cold. almost pcrished, trying in vain to keep
warm her frozen limbs, our hearts are torn
and tears run from our eyes. Then we
sally forth to hide our grief-the forest is be-
fore us-the earth is strown with branches
which the wind has blown down; few of |.
these useless remnants would warm our moth
er. Are we to leave her to die, when we can |
so easily save her: There, Marquis, this is
the whole truth, and now say if we are
guilty
"Ies, my little fellows" replied the Mar
quls, ''Inasmuch as YOU have taken what did |
not belong to YOU. But you are good and
dutltul children. and it would be very cruel
act indeed to punish you. Go, | forgive you.
When You are cold, 90 into the forest, and
gather what sticks Won want: permit vou.-'
You hear, Mr. Sylvester 2" addressing the
game-keeper.
Yes slr," replied he, touching his cap.
"And now, since these children must be
tired with the long walk YOU have given them.
tnGo ho th., ~,
of their mother
"Oh thanks. kind sir. May Heaven
protect YOU for Your pity to the unfortunate :"
cried the two children, takn. leave of their
bcnetactOr, with tears in their ewes.
The winter of lS29-3O was terrible. The
cold reached to an extraordinary degree, and
was exceedingly long-continucd. The most
rapid rivers were covered with ice, and car
RACES no matter what their weight, could pass
over them as on hig ghway. Horses & beasts
were frozen to death in their stalls; men fell
lifclcSS on the hard ear,h-wild beasts issued
from their LARS, and came into the villages,
into the stables. and even into the houses
themselves, to alay the hunger and thirst
which tortured them. In short, misery and
'lSlltS> lid'l tilCli ItlDut-
Thanks to the kindness of the Marquis de
Sancv, his proteges Of the forest were enabled
to support the rigors of the season. \ little
house. solidly constructed of stone, replaced
the little cabin in which they had before dwclt
: The Marquis gave them few articles of fur
niture, added bit to their field, and thus
rave them comparative ease and comfort in
place OF misery and despair.
Winter continued but the little wood gath
crcrs bore it without com plant. Their moth
ci. seated beside good fire. could turn her
wheel and spin for the good Marquis; in the
dav time the BOYS worked at making hedge,
whercwi,h to enclose their little field and
in the evening they worked willow baskets,
and made cages, which they went to sell on
the ,lav following in the nei"hborine town.
Sometimes they returned home late. and they
often trcmblcd with fear, at hcarin. the howl
inc ofthe wolves i'll the forest.
One nj cht, when they were on their way
home from the town, where they had been
selling their little wares, they passed along
one of the by-pahS of the forest, a cry of dis
trcSS reached their ear
1T is the voice of the marquis :" exclaimed
Frank.
Let us run this way" cried Nicholas
They hastenrd towards the place from
whence they thought had proceeded the voire
of their hencfactor They carried in their
hand little sharp hatchet, which they
always carried with them on those nights
when they were likely to be late i'll reaching
home.
In few moments, they reached man
4. IL, ! = I.
was indeed their friend the Marquis. The
wolf had thrown itself upon him, tore him
with its horrid teeth, aud, after terrible
struggle with his adversary, the Marquis was
on the point of falling its victim. Nicholas
rushed at the ttroriouS brute, and fetching a
blow with his axe, cut off one of his paws
The wolf, furious at his new enemy. turned
n upon HIM to avenge his wound He Icapcd
; upon Nicholas. Frank threw himself on the
VOLTS back. and bonnd its arms ti.ht about
: his neck to strangle it. The wolf fell to the
ground. Nicholas under him-hi> hatchct fell
! from his hands-but the Marquis, snatrhing
it up. watched his opportunity of striking the
beast without wOunding the children, and by
2 a well-aimed blow cleft thu. wof>S head
0 All, my children exclaimed the marquis,
on recognizing his vonng decndcrs-'it is to
= YOU. then. that owe my lt. -
= "Sir. you have had pity on our misfortune
You have saved our poor mothers lltr,-we
owe everything to you"
: "You see, Sylvester" observed the Mar
t Guis to the game-kecper, who ran up at this
momcnt-''yOu see how these two noble
youths have borne themselves i'll saving my
life Instead OF being harsh and cruel to-
wards the unfortunate, be kind. generous
charitable, and bcthnk Yourself always, tha,
= even though YOU may not do kindness out
of love OF virtue. it is well to do it even out
of selfish motives; for We may be indebted
for our life and safety to those who are weak
e er and smaller than ourselves Even the
Marquis. YOU see, may come in the little peas
: ants way. and owe his lite to them, as | do
t ow-EH-a Cook'S Jotunai
RAIN WATER.
. It is not generally known. saws the Albany