The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1855-12-08
Bp .1uIia Namtbormr.
d L R J OF r. EY

Z u u
When the coach. which took US from our
New England home, reached the railroad
STATION. the cars were in sight; and a small
company OF men, women and little children
stool on the platform. There was hurried
looking "fo see if all was right"-ali the car
pet-bags. vaIlses, shawls, overcoats, etc. in
readiness - then, round the excited it'll.
group, gathered closer the friends who were
waiting to "sce them Off" There was
rap'f shaking Of hands-charces TO "writ.
soon." and to take GOOD care Of ,bemss,r.s :"
there were last kisses between tearfa. SISTER,
--te'ween mothers and daughters - there
were hearty" good bve's" and Cod b.ss
you's from earnest hopeful men. and num-
hrrless last words. that were not half snoken
when the :" All aboard ~ of the conductor
sounded. and the scene was ended.
1T needed but that moment of observation
70 show us that this little company were
leaving their early homes. with all their As.
eoriaiI"nS. to seek new homes and better for.
tunes elsewhere. Like ourselves, they had
set their faces Westward 1t was Sprino
that season when the tide Of cmicra,;on sets
with The strongest flow towards the land of
promise. The car in which we we're seated
was one appropriated 70 "throuch pas,cn-
gers. almost all Of whom were cmi,r,n,
famiI]es. and many Of whom We saw take
leave of familiar things and faces at the va.
rlous stations, on that first dav Of our i,nr
ney. 1t was easy TO know them at glance
lhere was manner and expression whih
seemed to say. AS plainly as words. we are
beginning new volume in Lies history
Some of the men were more buovant and
horefus than others; some were silent, and
others fa'ka'lve, as the cars sped on: but all
wore that same I've done it" sort Of look
a' if they felt that the worst was over row
tha: they ere fairly on the wav, and there
was no longer chance for in,lecision.
Among the women there was a far greater
diversity Of appearance. Many. it was evi
dent. parfook with enthusiasm of all ,h.
hopes and plans Of their companions while
others seemed Indifferent TO everything cx
reNt the cares and excitement of the Journey.
JUST behind US are two seas. orcuried nv
a family of Ska husband. wife and four
children. The worn, tired look oS ,hc mo.
ther goes to my heart. She has no eve for
The c'impse> Of .eau:y that come and 90
swiftly on either hand. for others ewes 10
feast upon. for her pale. sirklv inf,n. ard
her three chubby. res,.ess to,s occur, L,r
whole mind. Before Us SITS rounc wifi. and
mother. the very picture Of contented hapri
ness, while chi!dIcss couple, in the next
seat. are amusing Themselves Nv tendinc her
baby. Rish: across the wav is a very quiet.
nnoh'ruslve man, with the most unouiet. un
comfortable woman at his elbow it was eyer
my lot TO be annoyed with. She was evi.
IDENTITY going West against her inclination
and wished all the world TO know il Her
tongue seemed tirelcSs, for whenever the rat
Tie Of the cars was still for a moment. thar
same complaining tone was The first TO strike
'he ear The cars. the country, the road,thc
weather, the food. all came in for share Of
her anImadverslons, and everything seemed
West. She doubtless belonged 10 that class
OF comrlainers Of whom Walter Cotton saws
" They would crumhlc amidst the mellow
profusiOns OF Paralisc"' w
Poor man." said Alfred; II pity him.
TO take such a piece Of human nature through
the world with him trust he will have a
growlery attached to his establishment. fer
her especial convenience"
Ioor woman. thought !, she seems 10 find
all the world growlrry; | pity her. 4
AT the end of our first days journey, we
met, accordn. TO previous agreement, or
friends MIR. and Mrs. Barrett, and wer. A.
@! ' ~ '>eu ~ H"u them accompanied
by MIR. X. and his young bride We had
Known Mr.. L. by report for long time, as
young man Of fine talents; and the previous
winter our sober little community had been
electrified by his stirring cIoluence in the
lecture room. On the subject oftempcrance
his arpta's were irresistible and he was said
to have made more converts to the Maine
law than any Of his brother reformers in tba,
region We considered him great acquisi-
ton to our party, especially as his destination
vas the same as our own But his w,fe-I
shall never forget her, as I saw her then for ;
The first time. ] could not describe her. if I
would. yet the image of her frank, intcIIec
'uaI face, so full OF love and hope. happiness
and pride, will never fade away. Memory
keeps it from all change. How strangely
ace, or perhaps single expression of thai
ace, will sometimes cling to the memory.
haunting US in our sleeping and waking
ireams' and so incorporating itself with our
minds as to form light or a shade in the !
'reat I'fe-pic'ure, which we shall gaze on for
,ver. s
There was another compagaea d. reyaoe,
whose face, ard whose whole expression we're
n most singular contrast to that of Mrs. r.,