The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1852-09-04
THE LITTLE WOOD-GATHERERS
A Story FOR Young READERS.

nnr cold day in the month of December,
- Two poor children, thin and pale. half
al m raeS. issued from cottage situated on
-, verge of the forest of Sancv. The ground
"a, covered with snow the trees were Stript
,Lrr leaves; the wind blew with terrible
-,. II was only seven in the morning.
ally dayhreak.
N.-holas and Frank. the two poor little
sod .a'herprs. walked rapidly towards the
1T. Of the forest. Their feet were ill-pro-
.ri w the old shoes they Wore. Coarse
.,a trowscr>. blouse. and bonnet of rab-
KIN completed their attire
When they had walked considerable dis
'l-.r they stopped at place where several
~, met.
stop, Frank" said Nicholas. take this
and bind up in it as much dead wood as
an gather together"
Yes, brother. When Won have gathered
grh, YOU can meet me at the entrance of
crest"
lhr brothers then separated They had
90 gathered sticks enough to make heavy
g. apiece. Bcndin. under their several
-rns they shortly after met at the place
ai"utcd
omr on. Ncholas." said Frank: ''let us
a.. l,,',, for while we loter here, mother
,ljcrlng from the cold
"Oh Yes. the wind blows on all sides of
H. hl,, and the snow falls on the straw where
" ,rpt last night"
"A Iittlc robbers, have caught YOU a
s.r =" suddenly shouted a rough voice close
a and
lar two bows frightened. let their loads
+, rom of their back and threw themselves
q he '"et of the man who now presented
lm>clf. He was a stiff, grutl.lookine fellow.
C. -rpulsve voice and manner and he fixed
l,cyes on the two trembling bows with a
tr-rr expression. He was dressed AS game
Eep"r. and carried a gun under his arm.
Little good tor-nou.htS :" said he. isn't
t. the second time I've caught YOU ~
Pardon, pardon, Mr. Sylvester" cried the
b.. weeping.
Nh do YOU suppose vou are to be allow
{" 'orob the marquis of his wood in this way?
~ we shall see we shall see,
But 1t is dead wood, and when it isn't
,rd up, it on V rots on the ground, and is
o 10 use to any body"
Come, come, Mr. Logcian, take up your
lnder and follow me-
follow YOU where ~
10 prison, little thieves" :"
10 prison oh, good sir, in pity spare
T."
No | tell Won"
-hn' our mother NAV die of cold, she has
t.y u in the world to help her; and if YOU
''' IN prison, what will she do =.
II i all the same to me-"
~ Won have neither heart nor soul ir
E'l, >ad one of the bows almost desperate
veil NAV they call YOU .SqireSfer the Wolf"
""ood perform my duty. and don't both
. myself about ANYTHING else"
l>fcn, Mr. Sylvester" said Nicholas 81
am buyer and stronger than nv brother and
gathered more of the dead wood than he
I'd am therefore more gultv-punSh me
10Th Of us, but send my brother back tc
n" ro'tacc.'
Nly listen to me good sir" cried Frank
II Is whom Won must put in prison.
Nhoias Is stronger than me, and his labor j,
'''r' useful to our mother"
tome, no more talking" said Sylvester
WOW needn't be quite SO iealous-vou mus
9TH 90"
My poor mother" said Frank. sobbine a.
| T. hlS heart would break
me two BOYS took up their burdens. and
.'""i tn" heartIe>> gamekeeper As the,
''>eI before the chateau Of the marquis
'"1'A> saId to Sylvester
before gong to prison. | wish to see tn.
r'-tri> himself"
IN :oot time" said Sylvester "here h,
III 't'i, the Marquis de Sancy was advanc
10 meet them. lie was man of abou
o, so"'l ilgure-a noble looking gentle
"''. lis white hair fell about his cheeks
'..> '.nr eyes, full of sweetness and kind
y PRESTON, inspired confidence in thos,
.'Arf him in the face.
"r.I. Mr Sylvester, what are YOU Coin.
WIN these children ?" said the Marqui
VI: .o-l. they are little robbers. whom
"i-hi for the second time, stealth!
~ '"o brother, stood still CRYING yer,
III Anow this wood does not belong t.
sad the Marquis.
,> 'r. said Frank.
?. Il"n YOU are very blamable. indeed: fo1
'0 Won had been already forbidden to tax
-,gi W ought not to have done So"
,, W, We mus. then have lain down and die
~" >ald Nicholas. sadly.
+, H,"' u"' child, What do YOU say" aske
''. Marquis. kindly.
i', SIR, shall tell YOU the truth, and vo
.- ''5y whether We ought to be punishe
"' Our father was a woodman; ker
r.,, ,.n 1y hard work and poverty; he coul
.,,a T'Y provide food for his family. On
",y brought him home dying. He ha
~ sF Ished by the fall of tree be ha
"';tr many months of cruel s1fel