The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1856-12-13
ThOmas Post; The Brave, Noble RO,
BY MRS. MARY E.. VAUGHAN.

BY MRS. MARY c. VAUGHAN.
When was very little child sometimes
went to school in TIE small, brown school
house that stood upon hill, near my grand
fathers, and in sight of his house. Indeed, it
stood in one of his fields with the fence which
divided the lot from the street coming lust to
the corners Of the old building in front and
remember that the sheep that pastured there
used to come up to the school house, in warm
summer DAYS and lie down in the shade
We used to have glorious times in that old
school house, and some day | may tell YOU "a
bout them but now want to talk about
else; want to tell YOU about
some of the little people who used to gather
there.
Tom Post and jane Manly ALWAYS came to
school together. In summer they walked,
each carving basket which contained there
dinners anl in winter they usually rode in
Mr.. Manlys sleigh. Mr.. NJ was rich far
mer, and Jane was the only daughter who vet
remained at home being many wears youn-
ger than any Of her brothers and sisters, and
The pet and tsvorite of the family.
Tom Posts grandfather lived in little
lor house, on a corner of Mr.. Manlv's farm
and Toms mother. pale feeble women who
mn~t once have been handsome girl, lived
with him 50 did Ton, and he had never
known any other home.
Toms grandfather made a poor living by
weaving >pIint baskets and Tom had learned
TO help hi.n at his work. wit: expert li.tlq
fingers. while he was Vet a mere baby. He
was a happy, conrentcd boy for he had never
known better home and he. of course did
not pine for luxurics of which he had not even
heard
When Toms mother was aprettv vonnc girl
she had been at service in a village where
Very imprudentlv, she had married a pri-
vatt soldier, who soon a.tprwar,l, was order
ed with his regiment, to the wars; and his
wife, quite stricken in grief, went hack to his
Gathers poor home. She never saw her hus-
band again, nor even heard from him, for he
was probably killed in some battle with the
Indians. No record Of his death ever reached
her.
When Tom was born, his mother was al
ready widow; and the shadows of grief and
sadness, as well As of poverty, lay all around
him as soon as he entered upon life. But
Tom was brave, strong boy, in spite of all
suppose he had very much the same baby
trials and JOYS that children of wealthicr par
ents have: but he grew and throve better
than many OF these pampercd little beings do
Tenn was the only playmate Jane Manly
had ever had, except her kitten, Patty Grey,
until she came to school. remember very
we'll when she first came-a little shy thing
with the brown curls falling all over her face
and almost hiding the bright ewes that dared
peep out between them Tom was by her
side but not at all shy lie was as bold as
Jane was bashiul, and the same contrast was
seen in everything about them. Jane wa,
very little aud pretty; Tom great and stout
with long arms, an immense head, and mat
of coarse hair, and large ugly features, sun
burned and frecklcd. But there was clear
brave light in his great brown eyes. that re-
deemed his looks from positive usliness.
had been reading the story-book of Beau.
ty and the Beast and at once whispered
this name to some of the scholars. From
that day forth, Tom and Jauc we're Beauty
and the Beast" and though Tom iou hit sew
eral battles with those who first bestowed it,
he soon became reconciled to the name
Tom was ALWAYS Jane assistant in our pavs
and her champion in al! disagreements.-
And so summer and winter, for several wears
they came daily to the old brown school
house.
One winter noon, when the sun poured
its brilliant rays over the snow covered earth,
and made the icicles that hung from the school
house caves glitter like diamonds, and throw
of a thousand prsimatic hues, many of us
went to slide and skate upon neighborins
pond. A few of the boys had So ties !; and
others ventured upon their thick soled boots;
and the little girls who were too timid to slide
held by the boys skirts, and were drawn
swiftly after them, over the glittering surface
of the pond
Winter was nearly at close. The night.
were still very cold, but the days warm and
sunny; and we'll the young skaters knew
that the ice would not long withstand
the suns rays. There was high glee, then,
for they knew that the time for that sport
was nearly past. But no one had thought
of danger, as the ice seemed solid and strong
enough to last yet many days. So they
laughed and shouted, and uttered childish
jibes, as one poor fellow, in full career, found
himself suddenly upon the ice. With force