Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-09-01

books including several biographies, he had Sc
ocied choice volume or two on agriculture
and gardening, several on general history and
natural history few good books Of travels, and
various other books, some TO entertain, and
others to awaken thought In duo time they
were properly disposed in little case, and the
kind friend, already familiar with the children,
now carefully showed them how books were to
be uscd cniiced them TO read, and even made
them promise to spend some Of 'heir leisure time
4 in finding out what the books contained. Aller
some difficulty he got things into right train
both boys and girls began to be Interested.
/ We pass over two years. The seed had been
sown, was there any prospect Of a harvest
No one can pass Mr. Drrrt's farm without per-
ceiving some Improvement The external as
pecLof the old homestead has more cheerful
aad comfortable appearance Instead Of the
Struggling and unsightly objects which used to
be seen around tic house, everything had tidy
look. The grass is growing, the Towering
shrubbcry creeps up the walls and adorns the
pathway, the vegetable garden is in better taste
the ornamental accompanies the useful, and gives
evidence that the youngsters of the family have
tNNN otANf thN ttit pthhe on -NlhiHlthH a NiAI'a
inside shows a beuer-regulacd family, and more
obedcn, and wcll-dressed children. Farmer
Burrit acknowledges that Thomas, his oldest
boy, has got some thing out Of his books which
have saved labor, and improved his crops.
/ Other years pass, aud the improvement is still
more visible. Mr.. Burrit rather ashamed of
his deficiencies, has been reading and marvellous
10 tell, has spent an additional fifty dollars in
books. His conversation has become more in
telligent lie knows something besides farm
ing and his whole manner has undergone IA.
yurable change. The religious books have ac-
complslied their mission. Religion dwells in
that household and has its altar there. There
can be no complaint that books have rendered
the children idle, for they have been new
stimulus 10 industry. The farm prospors, more
than ever, and the farmer has abandoned his
prejudices against the various improvements in
agricultural implements, and has obtained a
good insight into the advantages OF agricultural
chemistry. Mrs Burrit has become proud Of
her girls and boys; and-wel she may be- for
there are none like them in the neighborhood
so sensible. 50 refined in manners, 50 a,icn.
tive 10 their duties, SO anxious 10 excel.
We should mention that the kind friend who
had been the cause of this improvement, had so
far recruited his health, that he had returned TO
his city business but he never lost sight OF the
Bnrrits. Some twelve or fourteen years after
the time when our little narrative begins, he spent
a week or two with his old friends. How did
he find things lhenl Changed, most ageeably
changed. James, the third son, was obtaining
ooo1 nraciiro ~ tho i,et ,,l,,.sc;,r l., a. -
borhood Thomas, the eldest, was the farmer,
and looked up to as an oracle in all agricultu- /
raj matters, aud had exeued happy influence
in raising the character Of all the farmers a.
round him and Robert, the second son--what
was he - 1t is the Sabbath many vehicles
are on the road tina, leads to the stone church /; |
The house becomes crowded. In the front new
sits an anxious famly-ii is the Burrits the
cause is soon apparent-Robert is to preach
for the first time Il the old church, and in the
presence Of many a one who knew him when
little hoy. Although with some signs Of tim
idiiy he commenced the service, before he had
closed there was many moist eye in that as
sembly. He bad spoken to them in an earnest
and impressive manner-one ofthe
most promising young ministers Of the day
Elder Burrit, for he was now so officially des-
ignaed, and his kind hearted wife, were almost
overcome with emotions, as many a strong hand
grasped theirs, accompanied by hearty congral-
llaious.
Next day the city friend smilingly enquired
IF farmer Burr, why he had not called upon
him for the fifty dollars with interest in full
With tear in his eye end a strong grasp of