Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-12-13
Mtstrtlaneons.
it f--g From Putnam's Monthly.
GOODMAN POVERTY. -if
AN AMUSING LEGEND.


AN AMUSING LEGEND.
One day was SO fortunate as to discover an
old traditionary relic Of great beauty; the le-
gend and it's title running as follows:
The ne0 and pleasant history Of Goodman
Poccrty; shouting who PoUerty loas, 'chere he
had Ms origin, in what fashion he dealt with
Death, and when he ,oiU come TO an end in the
World.
Saint Peter and Saint Paul. overtaken sud |
denly by great storm, once upon time, when
they were journeying together, came to the out
skirts of village, where at first sight, they per-
ceived only rich mans house SO grand that
they hesitated to enter it.
1t seems to me in my poor judgement, said
St, Peter, that it would be well. before knock
ing at the gate of this grand house, to try and
learn in the neighborhood what manner of per-
son the master may be; and whether he be
really man of substances and well to do in the
world; for this is point upon which one is
ofen mistaken. No matter how handsome the
houses we sec by the waysidc, we generally find
that those who call themselves their owners are
over head and ears in debt; owing their ino
dwellings, and all that they contain, to their
creditors, and not possessing, in reality farth-
ing Of their own to bless themselves with
Saint Paul finally agreed to this prudent view
Of the case but he was hungry, and cast his
eyes about in every direction, seeking some one
of whom to make the necessary inquiries. At
length he exclaimed joyfully, l see woman
washing linen in yonder pool will go and ask
her if she knows anything of the master Of the
house.
So saying he approached the washerwolnan
and accosting her very politely, Good day to
you dame, said he, this is heavy rain that
we are having to-day!' $3.50
Sooth, and ye may we'll say SO, master, re-
piled the woman, without stopping her work,
and tbs lucky for me It's only water, for if it
were wine it would hardly suit my washing !;
but then, to be sure, we might have brave
drinking bout, and after that lay up a good store
in the cellar.
'Ye are merry, methinks, good dame re
turned St. Paul.
And wherefore, not = quoth the washer
woman. Thank God, I lack nothing that
woman need wish for, except to be sure, now
and then u little money
Money !! cried the Saint; ah, you are very
fortunate in having no money, and being able
to do without it,
Aye, aye, that's all very well to say, re
turned the washerwoman, but for all the harm
that money has ever done to me, may say tha
shouldn't mind seeing little moro Of iti'
| see you like to have your joke, my goot
dame,' continued the Saint; but assure 20,
that money causes the ruin of vast number o
souls; and that it were to be wished for tn
!, good of very many people, that they nigh
never behold q coin oil the days of their life
As for me-, said the washerwoman, | al
too busy to do much wishing; and crown s
seldom comes in my way that never had tn
chance to look at one long enough to make on
:, the pictures upon it,
Saint Peter, who had been standing all tn
time under an oak, where he had taken relue
t from the rain, grew inpatient at hearing tn
o long conversation, and begged Saint Paul
q come away at once, and seek some better shelte
: So they went up to the gate of the mansion al
J. lifted the knocker but the master of the hou
f put his head out of the window and bude the
n bcgone. ...
70 This is no inn, fellows, cried he, rouhl
& off with you, this moment, and look for lod
|, ings elsewhere = And with this he shut Il
d window, and turned scornfully away.
h But the poor travellers were now drenched
ct the skin, and their iorlorn plight touched Il
ut washerwoman's heart with pity.
If Il wish could take ye home with me-, 81
We she, would do SO with right good will; f
t, ye seem to be decent, honest folks but da
To not ask ye in, for am widow, and the neig
ze bors would talk. But if ye will have paten
rt bit, while finish my washing, will present
m take ye to the house of one of the towns -peopl
n Poverty by name, who lives at the further e
It, of the village, and who will gladly give ye
ot nights lodging
n, Accordingly, as soon as the washing was dor
en- the woman led Saint Peter and Saint Paul
or Pcverty's cottage, as she had promised to do.
do 1t was but little past sundown, and yet
to Goodman was already to bed.
sst Halloo, Poverty!' cried the washcrwoms
al going close up to the window, here are t
of poor travellers who have been caught in
In storm, and who know not where to lay til
to heads =
rse Goodman Poverty had no sooner heard Il
CO. these poor people wanted nights lodging I'll
ri he lifted the latch and babe them come
at Light the lamp, neighbor,' said he to
ca washerwonan, as she stepped across the thrt
in old.
ole Soint Peter and Saint Paul now entered
cottage. Everything in the house was toy
'all turvy ono could distinguish nothing for
or confusion and the master himself, tall, ii
,re- withered and pale, looked asthough he had
rim come out of q sepulchre.
all, God be praised for the shelter of this +
'ust and may his blessings descend upon it
cat Saint Peter.
DO Amen = responded Poverty, 30 mote it
,ger In sooth my masters, should have great
hu- of bis blessing, to be able to offer you any
rave per for have not so much rs mors
the bread in the hsuse'
and But the washerwoman, who had expecte
much, now opened o baeket which she
as brought with her, and produced four fine |
m" Writings, ready fried, great brown loaf, a
pom pitcher of wine
th" 'Ah, Lord bread and fish, as livo!'
Err Saint Paul, greatly delighted.