Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-07-14
nltsfellaneolls.
The Well in the Wilderness.
A Tale of the Prairie-- Founded on ]
BY MRS. NOODLE

small lanGholders VINO are last disappearing from
Merry Old England. His father left him the
sole possesor of twenty-five acres of arabic land,
and snug little cottage, which had descended
through many generations.
The ground plat, which had been sufficient to
maintain his honest progenitors for several ages,
in the palmy days OF Brtains glory and indie
pendence, was not enough to provide for our
stout yeoman and his family, which consisted at
that period of three sons and one daughter, a
lovely, blooming girl of ten years,or thereabouts
Richard and his family toiled with unceasing
diligence, and yet they made no headway, but
every succeeding year found them in Arrears.
Jane said the yeoman thoughtfuly,one eve-
ming, to his wife, after having blessed his home
could'st thee not have given US a little treat TO-
night? Hast thee forgotten that it is our An
MES birthday?
No, Richard, have not forgotten; how could
| forget the anniversary of that day that made us
all SO happy? But times are bad could not
spare the money to buy sugar and plums for the
cake and wanted to sell all the butter, in or.
,dor TO scrape together enough to pay the shoe.
maker for making our darling's shoes. Annie
knows that she is infinitely dear to us oil, though
we cannot give her luxuries 10 prove it"
1t wants no proof, dear MOTHER said the little
girl, flinging her round, but sun burnt arms
about her worthy parents neck. Your precious
love is worth the wealth of the world to me.
know how fond you and dear father are Of me,
and am more than satisfied
Annie is right said Steel, dropping his knife
and holding out his arms for caress. The
world could not purchase such love as we all
feel for her; aud let us bless God that, poor as
we are, we are all here tonight, well and strong,
aye, rich, in spite of our homey fare, in each
others affections. What say you, my boys p
And he glanced with parental pide on the three
fine lads, whose healthy and honest .countenan-
ces might well be contemplated with pleasure,
and afford subjects for hopeful anticipation for
the future.
I'VE are happy, father said the eldest, quite
cheerfully.
The cakes and spiced ale would have made
US happier said the second. Mother makes
nice cakes
so she does cried the third. 8 1t seems SO
dull to have nothing nice on Annies birthday.
should not care fig 1T were Dicks birthday,
or Ovens or mine but not to drink Annie's
health seems unlucky'
You shall drink it yet,' said Annie, laugh.
ingy.
In what p asked both the boys in breath.
in fine spring waterr And she filed their
mugs.
Better God never gave to his creatures. How
bright it is How it sparkles will never
from this day ask finer drink. Here is health
to you, my brothers, and may we never know
what it is to lack draught Of pure water
Annie nodded to her brothers, aud drank of
her mug Of water; and the good natured fel.
lows, who dearly loved her, followed her exam.
pie.
Oh, little did the gay.hearted girl think in tina
moment of playful glee, of the price she was
one day 10 pay for drink of water!
The crops that year were Il failure, and the
heart of the strong man hegan to droop. He fell
that labor in his nstve land would no longer
give his children bread, and, unwilling to sink
into the lowest class, he wisely resolved, while
he had the means of doing SO, to emigrate to
America. HIS wife made no opposition to his
wishes.
The dear homestead, with its quiet rural or.
chard aud trim hedgerows, fell to the hammer
nor was the sun burnt check Of the honest yeo.
man unmostened with tear, when he saw j
added to the enormous possessions OF the lord o.
the manor.
After the sale was completed, and the none,
it brought duly paid, Steel lost no time in pre-
\ pairing for his emigration. In less than fort
luight they wae on the voyage across the Allan
! tic. Favoredby wind and weather, after th'
drst effects of the sea had worn off they were
comfortable enough. One family among tn
/, steerage passengers attracted their attention
and SO far engaged their affections during TIL
tedious voyage, tnAt they entered into an agree
8 ment to settle in the same neighborhood. MI
Atkins was widower, with two sons, the age
OF Richard and Owen, aud 'an elder sister,
y primitive, gentle old woman. Abigail Win
:, chester flor SO she was callet took an especia
d fancy to Annie, in whom she fancied that sh
t saw resemblance to daughter she had los
O. Her affection was warmly returned by the kin