Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1856-05-23
TALES AND INCIDENTS.

Nv hen my brother T.. was IlttIc pUy, shld
Miss -, .his health was delicate, and he
was sent to the country to school, and there
boarded at n great old farmhouse, one Of the
real old New England style, of which few
specimens now remain Here, in the first
cold weather of autumn the family congre-
gated about the kitchen fire, 50 as not to dis
turb the nowcr-pots, which still ornamcnted
the hearth of the keeping room. The young
student from Boston was accommodated on
one side of the fire, and little stand, on
which was placed Il tall iron candlestick,
bearing dipt-candlc with a wick an inch
long. for the furtherance Of his studies. Not
being much inspired hy the book under those
circumstances. f.. was wont to listen to the
talk of an ancient dame who sat with per-
rcnnial fountain of knitting work in high
| back chair on the opposite side of the fire, be-
stowing various hints and cautions upon
young clergyman lately ordained, and hoping
he would be 'kerried through all the work
that was before him in the ministry of that
| parish.
The young clergyman, city bred, and only a
guest at the iarm-h house, listened with defer
cncc and replied very satisfactorily to most of
the old lady S remarks; but he could not be
made to understand very clearly in what par
tculars he was likely to find his position
more than usually difficult. lie did not seem
to doubt that he should be 'kcrried through,
though he said SO very modcstly.
'llumph : said the old lady, taking a spare
knitting needle from her work and passing it
gently under her cap with reflective air
Did YOU ever hear about parson Thachcr's
| day, Mr.. H. Ny mother could remember
Parson Thachcr, though he died in l127. He
was man that had been to school and then
to college in this country, (it was the custom
in them days,) then to Lcyden, where he
studied for the ministry, and not only that,
but learned medicine and surgery, and not
content with that. studied law besides
Mr. l. began to open his eyes Mt this
enumeration Of his predecessors accomplish
ments.
Yes continued the good lady, and be-
sides, was a good mechanic, SO that he could
use almost any tool. Well, he come back,
settled in this town, and married Thcodosia
| f. and She made q good wife, and and they
| lived very comfortably in their plain way
But said the young clergyman. who be-
Ing fresh from college, was the least in the
world priggi,h, Il can scarcely see how Mr..
| Ihaclcrs European requirements were ne
cess'ry to him for such rosiuon.'
'Ilumph. said the old lady again, stay till
| tell you my story. One Monday morning
rarson 1hacher said to his wife, I've en-
gagged to 20 to D. to preach az ordination
sermon ON Wednesday and must set out to-
il'4iph ~ b'I'0 va must nav 'il'iA'iS
for my study and You must not allow me to be
Interrupted for any Hi'ng short Of Il case Of
life or death. So Mrs. Thachcr promised,
and the good parson went thoughtiully up
stairs to prepare his sermon.
lie was scarcely seated when a woman in
the ncighborhood came in. almost hrcathless,
anxiously inquiring for Mr., Ihachcr,
lie is in his study, and cannot he disturb
on any account.
.nL Ionr sovc +ho ,oor ,von,an Il 1on't
know what shall do, for our best cows
very sick, and nobody can't do nothing to
help her. We We had Loren, the COW doctor,
and he cant tell what's the matter with her
What ,rW become Of us il we lose her y
Now Mrs Thachcr felt SO bad to think the
woman must lose her COW, that she cen ven
tured up stairs and knocked at her husbands
door.
Wife. you know told YOU couli}it-'
Yes, but poor Mrs. rrimblcy-' and
then she told all about the COW and tried to
| persuade the parson to 60 at once. This he
said was out OF the question: but he would
certainly call after dinner, as he was obliged
to pass by Mrs. Trimb.cy's to 60 to a raising,
where he had promised to make IL prayer So
the poor woman went home much comiorted
to think that parson Thachcr would come at
all, 80 great was her opinion OF his skill She
had hardly shut the gate, when another
ntl-'llT came ~ rs lIIIcl anu Oul Ol DEtuln
as Mrs. lrimbley; and hardly remembering to
say how dye do = before she cried out.
Where is Mr.. Thachcr =
''My husband is in his study, and can not
be-
'Oh, run up, do, Mrs. Thachcr, and tell
him that MIR. Nose and Mr.. Hunt have had
another awful quarrel again, and Mr.. Nose
says he'll % right off to Boston and employ
Lawyer Grid!cy, "A pritty awful threat in
those days-'ior he wont put up with i'll
usage any longer.
This frightened Mrs Thatcher dreadfully,
to think quarrel should get to such n
length in that neighborhood. SO, knowking
her husbands power as peacemaker, she
went up to his study door once more.
~ hat is the matter now, wiieF said
! pars0n Thachcr.
.Oh dreadful quarrel and SO forth, re-
pcatlng all the threats and hard speeches,
and begging her husband to interfere with
out delay.
We'll, ! can't possibly 90 now, but send
word to Mr.. Vose not to 60 to Boston till he
has sccn ME. | will call after dinner, as 50 to
raising
This raciGed the messenger, and the par
son went on with about the fourth Of his
ordination sermon.
Presently a violent rapIing with the heavy
end of whip was heard at the door, and n
farmer from some distance Off, inquired for
Mr.. TEACHER. Mrs. Thacher repeated the
Old excuse. but the farmer WAS not to be put
oil 80 oa-iy. lie insisted on the minister wife
going up and telling her husband that man
was below YhJ must see him, being in treat
trouble, and wanting immediate help. non
t.i~ with many groans, the parson at length
came down, and learned that the mans axle
trees had been broken under load OF potash
! kettles. and he could do nothing without