Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-04-01

the day was not made for tears. and the |
prayer ended, smiles chased them away as
quickly as the sun the light clouds. Moth.
ing could prevail upon the clergyman TO re-
main with them longer than his presence
was actually required; and as he slowly took
his way home, he thought, as phIosophiz-
ing mind is apt to think, not 50 much upon
the scene he had left, a. upon the use 10
which such day nigh, be turned. During
his stay there, his eye had been upon the
stray lamb Of the fock--the ardent. wild
James-and when be saw the eye held stead.
lily down 10 conceal the emotion he felt wus
be,raying itself in his face, and the culver.
ing lip, which refused TO obey the stern
command of strong will. be knew that all
was not lost yet, and determined, with n
vigorous hand and an upllfied heart TO try
once more 10 save the erring.'
And now came the dinner. How pretty
Martha looked in her wreath OF flowers, US
with quick step and ready hand she ur-
ranged with her mother each dish in its ap-
pointed place. There was the large turkey,
Edwards turkey-before her father; the
chicken pie, Of ample dimensions, before her
mother, and ranged close by grandmo,her's
plate-noI one little thing forgotien-w.s
The cup of tea, and the soft toast, and the
little delicacies which she was accustomed
to have placed before her, to tempt her some-
what capricious appetite.
The goose was laughingly given her Ed.
ward, and the roast pig, with pickle in It's
mouth, was half the wonder and half the ter.
ror of the children who looked on with eager
eyes. A right royal farmers dinner it was,
not thing missing, even 10 the cider apple
sauce, and all owing to the energy of good
heart set upon ministering what liule Iny in
its power TO the comfort and happiness of
others. The meats, and many kinds of veg.
stables, having hnd ample justice done to
them, there came busy setting them aside,
and then followed the unraveIIng Of a mys-
terry, into which many little eye had tried
TO penetrate. during the more substantial
course OF dinner, the lifting up Of The white
cover from an adjoining tnble, and bringing
to view such wealth Of good things, as
they had never seen before. There were
pies, tarts, cakes, apples, nuts, and singular
looking dish with something very large upon
it, but still carefully covered. This Edward
placed with an air Of comic gravity before the
bride, into whose face the deepest color
mounted, as all eyes were turned upon her.
Take off the cover, Susan, and never
mind, all the young folks will have their
lime for blushing too,' said Mrs. Norton,
kindly. But Susan did not find courage to
,lo as she was told, and her husband, ms any
husband ought, coming to her relief, raised
it quickly, and found beautiful loaf of we'd
ding cake! Hearty laughs followed tile dis
covery, and Susan, with regained confidence
began to distribute it among The happy par
,y. What different day this from her an
ticipaled ride from her place of service, with
out friend. to the minister, and then away,
with no memory of happy fnces, and kind
eyes, to blend with that hour. when in the
future she should search for it amid the
treasures of The past.
| But the wonders Of the day were not to
end here. A loud knock ut the front door,
startled all. 1t was obvious even Mr.. and
Mrs. Norton knew nothing Of its origin.
Nor was their surprise nj all diminished
when Mr.. Norton came back from the door,
| I,rIp La h<~v H.
iently carry.
What is it ! what is it p demanded many
eager voices at once.
THAT is more than can tell answered
Mr.. Norton, eyeing il in every direction.
It's paid, sen. by express, aud from Boston.
But we will soon See. Bring the hammer,
and yes, the hatcher. too, Edward of flew
the cover, in much less time Than was taken
to put it OIL, and there appeared nothing but
paper and straw.
'N'sa hoax! said Mr.. Norton, angrily
turning away. "A glorious hoax, too, fathern
said Edward, who had been pulling up the
straw with impatient fingers; many such
! hhoy uCie oS ~ ~ anu h0 Hhteu duiSn y JUG
fine orange after another, until twenty-four
lay ranged out upon the table. 'And here,
eh three cheers for candy! Whoever saw
the lkee Nuts, too. Upon my word, a
grand hoax! Sweet potatoes. A little keg
of something. Slowly there. Grapes
white grnpes. Ali here is something more
solid. Black silk, enough for a dress, red
woollen,' 'merino' interrupted Martha, gall
co, broadclo.h. WHO ever saw such hoax !?
And here why down hero at the very boz
tom, is--a letter.
sNow for it. Let me read it. May ],
father?'
Edward had gone on SO breathlessly from
one triumph to another, that no one had
either the time or the wish to interrupt him !;
so he went on now, breaking the seal 10 the
letter, and as he opened il, bill dropped on
the floor.
Martha saw it. aud picking it up, ex-
claimed, 'Iycnty doUars!" Without taking
any notice Of her, Edward commenced read,
ing.
My Dear Mother-I am afraid you think
your son Samuel hns forgotten you, because
it is SO long since he has been down 10 see
you, or has written to you; but indesd