The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1855-07-14
.fur tie Huus aub &irI5,


In the pleasant village Of Wilton there
used to be, in the times iorg passed. large
anil 1ourishinc school for bows II WAS nu-
mcrously attended nv those far and near WHO
we're so fortunate As to secure the opp,rtnni-
~. for the number of scholars was limited
The bows, as usually the ease when the re
are many together. were often miSvhicvous
and did many things which ou.ht not have
been done, but were always sorry il. any mis-
chief OF which they were the cause OCCASION
I'll any serious injury. get they never could
'lesist wholly from doing things which were
useless anil often in jnriorS.
At the time Of which am writing there
was an old woman. ailectionatrly called Aunt
Peggie, who lived short distance from the
village, and supported herself Lv srlins
cakes and candy to the nci.hhoriny children
and the >'.hoo!, and by gathering herbs and
,lisposinc of them to the families who lived in
the neighbOrhool. An! many customers she
had, for every one preferred having those of
Aunt Pegsie's gathering. as they were obtain
I'll in the right season and preserved with
care. Aunt Pcysie's inrom: was Increased
somewhat by the care shc took Of sick pco-
pie; no one needed care bu, Aunt Pevyic
was Immediately sent for, and lv her ,k;llful
nursing they were often restored to health
Aunt Peygie used regularly to come every
Wednesday afternoon to bring her cakes anil
confectionery to sell To the scholars-and AS
she was a very kind body the bows were Of
ten permitted to 30 down to her house after
school hours for walk
And much they en- loved it, for her cottage
vas in beautiful spot. \ wild path led to
it through the woods and meadows. over the
stile and down by the river. ,ilI Just bcfoc
YOU the cottage recw'l out from behind tie
trees On one side there was a gentle slope
down to little brook which hurried with all
its speed over the bright pebbles towards the
river. This brook was plentifuilv stocked
with trout, and often the tired angler wonld
stop at the cottage to refresh himself IL
front Of the cottage was small spot of ground
IN which Aunt P-g.e cultivated a few veyct
ables, and where she had some flowers and a
few fruit trees.
One day the boys havin. obtained permis-
sion, started for the cottage some took hooks
and lines, and others took baskets for berries.
When they arrived there. no Aunt Prcni.
was to he found so they con'ented them.
selves with picking berries and catching fish
till they saw her coming lon. way oil down
the road. Before she had seen them, one of
the boys thought to frighien her a little. not
thinking any harm. so calm. the others.
they ran into the house and stationed them
selves behind the door. Meanwhile Aunt
Peggie walked on slowly, stopping here to
look at the fishes in The brook, and then n
see the ripeniny fruit. but at last approached
the door. when the BOYS patience was almost
exhausted. She opened 1t slowly, and was
just entering, when such noise one would
have thought all the animals of the olobe
we're eRsconced in that little room rats eats.
lions. tigers ect, each sounding their peculiar
votes at once Aunt Pecgc, much trichten.
ed. stepped back, bat loosins Ter balance
tell then out rushed the bows laughing
and shouting to sec the success OF their Joke
Tut - they saw her they were very sorry
Aunt Peceie when she saw them Laughed too
and ensleavored to rise. but found she could
not One boy took hold Of each arm while
another brought Der cane and basket. but she
was unable to stand she had sprained he,
ancle BY the fall. The bows now all reor.t.
ted having done az they did, but it was toe
late to remedyit.
\ passing wagon was stopped, and she va.
:e4eu 10 farmers l.nu>,, whose son was en-