The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1854-10-21

skirts ofthe woods, trees enough to plant a
long line OF street. Before the trees are Oh
tanned, however, the party should give Sat
urday afternoon to d stcing capa,ious holes for
the trees to be placed in, and filing them
where the soil is poor, with the rich mould Of
the garden, or soil shovclcd under HEDGE or
fence OF long standing This !onc-and this
Is the long labor-the planting is a thing of
very easy accomplishment. In the early days
OF New-England, the minister used to head
such planting parties. Great and good As
Their other work was, this was hv no means
the least useful Of their Iabors-N. y. Times
GENTLE HAND.
did not hear the mailcns name: but in
my thought have ever since called her the
"Gentlc Hand" Wha. magic Law in her
touch Ii was wonderful.
When and where it matters not now to re.
la'c-hut once upon time as was passing
through 'hinly pcopled district of country.
night came down upon me almost unaware,
!'rln= on foot. could not hope to cain the
village towards whi"h nv steps were directed.
TIL l'r hour; andT therefore preferred seek
me shelter and a nights !ol ring at the frs,
humble dwelling that presented itself.
pG~ky twilight WAS giving place to ,l,rrcr
shadows. when found mv>el; in the vicinity
o' 4 dwelling, from the Smal, un.urt.incI
windows o: which the light .honc with plea
SAINT promI>" of uoo1 cheer and comfort. The
house stood within an enclosure. ard a ~hnrt
distance from The ro1l alonr which was mo-
Nin@ with wcaricd feet. Turning aside. and
r'>>ln. fhronch an illhung gate. Ia;proach-
cd the dwelling. Slowly the ca,c >wr,n ON
us wooden hinges. and :hc rattle of its Latch.
IN clo>n" did rot disturb the air until
ha'. nearly reached lie little porch in from.
OF The house. in which a slender cir!. who bal
noticed my entrance. stood awaitn. nav arri-
val
y deep. quick bark. answered. almost Ike
an echo. the ,ound of the shutting gate, and.
sudden as an aplarif;,n. the form of an i'm
mcn>r dog l'onci in Tie doorway. was
now near enough TO see the >,varc a~,.r,.t ot'
the animal. and The gathering motion o, his
body, As he prepared 20 bound forward upon
me. His wo'i;>h urowl was really fearful. .-
\: thr instant when he WIS about to srrino.
a Il"ht hand was laid upon his shaggy neck
and = low word spoken.
Don't be afraid. he won't hurt Won" s,i1
voice, that 70 me sounded very sweet ami
musical
now came forward, but in some dou.. As
10 the v"unr urls power over the beast. ON
whose rou-h mex her almost childish hand
still lay. The io- ,!id not seem Wv anv means
r'""n'i'cl 10 riv arproa hand rrowlcl wick
c'l!y hi> dissatisfaction.
"',o in Tirrr" said the rirl. not in a yoii,c
OF authority. vet. in her gentle tones wis the
consciousness that She would bc obcved: and
as She spoke, she lightly bore upon the AMI
mal with her hand and he turned away and
disappeared in ;lle dwelling.
Who's that: - \ rough voice asked the
question and now heavy looking man took
tn" 'l"rS place in Tie door.
"Who are you Wha''> wanting" There
vas something very harsh and forlllinc in
The way the man spoke The Girl now laid
her hand upon his arm. and leaned with a
gentle pressure against him.
How far i> it to (;-." I asked rot
d"cra'n- 1t best to say, in the beginning. that
! >"n"ht resting place for the night.
"io '--:" growlch the man. !,ut not
so har>hly as at first. "It'S good six miles
from here"
~ long distance and I'm stranger, and
on foot, sad |. "If you can make room for
me until morning. will be very thankful"
saw the girls hand move quietly up his
arm, until it rested on his shoulder. and Now
shc leaned 70 HIM still closer
Come in. Wen try what can be done for
vou
There was a change in the mans voice
that made me wonder.
icntrrcd large room, in which blazcd
brisk FIRE. Before the fire SAT two stout lads.
who turned upon me their heavy eyes. with
no very welcome greeting A mildlc-accd
woman was standing at the table, and two
children were amusing themselves with kit !
ten on The floor
~ stranger, mother" said the man who
had gwen me 50 rude a greeting at the door:
and he wants us to let him stay all night"
The woman looked at me dou!tnglv for
lew moments, and then replied, coldly:-
I'VE don't kccpa publ" house"
'Tin aware of that, ma am" SAID ]: "but
night has ovcrtakcn me, and it's long way
vet to C."
"loo far for tired man to 90 on foot" SAID
The master Of the house kindl;,, so its no use
taking about it mother; we must Give linl a
bed"
SO unobtrusivcv v. that scarcely noticed
The movement, the girl had ,!rawn to the wo-
mans side. What she said to her. | did
not hear, for the brief words were uttered il;
, low voice: but | noticed, that as she smoke
one fair hand rested on the woman's hand
was there magic in that gentle touch The