The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-10-10

BY JOHN q. SANE
Once on time. as ancient tales declare
There lived farmer in quiet dell
In Massachusetts, but exactly ~herr.
Or "hrn. Is really more than | can tcll.-
Except that. quite above the public bounty.
lie lived within his means and Bristol county.
by patient labor and uncca>in- care
He earned. and so cnioyed. his daily bread:
@ontented always with his frugal fare.
Ambition to be rich nc'cr vcxcd his had:
And thus unknown to envy. want or wealth.
Ht nourlShed long III comfort. peace and health.
The gentle partner of his humble lot.
The JOY and jewel of his welded life,
Discharged the duties of his peaceful cot.
Like true woman and faithful wife:
Her mind improved by thought and useful reading
GOOD manners and nine children showed her breed
ing.
Grown old at last the farmer called his son.
lhe youngest, land the flvoritc. | supposco
And said-"l long have thought my darling John.
lis time to bring my labors to close;
So now to toll mean to bid adicu.
And deed, my son. the homestead farm to vou"
The hoy embraced the boon with vast DELIGHT.
And promised while their precious live, remain
ed,
He'd till and tend the farm from morn till night,
And see his parents handsomely maintaincd;
God help him. he would never fail to love. nor
do aught to srcvc his generous old GOV nor,
The farmer said" Wc-lct us now proceed.
10" know there'> always danger in dclayl
And get Squire Robinson to write the decd:
the wav.''
But John replied. with tender, hlial care,
"lou,re Old and wcak-l1 catch the Dapplc
The mare was >addlcd. and the man cot on;
The hoy on foot trudgcd chccrfuIlv along.
he while. 70 cheer his sire. the dutcnu> son
Bcgrilcd the weary way with talk and SOM
Arrived at length. they found the Squire at home
And quickly told him wherefore they had come
The deed was writ in proper form Of law.
With many ''fpre>aid. ''thcrcforc. and the
same.
And made throughout without mistake cr flaw
10 show that John had now a legal claim
10 all his fathers land-c0nvcvcd given. sold.
Qult-cianed. It cctt1N.-to have and hold
Their business DONE they left the LAWYERS door.
happier perhaps. than when thcv entered there :
And started off a> they had done before
The son on foot. the father on the mare
But ere the twain single mile had gene.
\ brilliant thought occurred 10 Master John.
Alas for truth alas fer film! litv -
Alas that Satan in the shape of Pride
tHiS most bewltching form ~lyo tha. Of Dcautv.D
Whispered the lad" My boy. 90" ought to
ride
"Gct off! exclaimed the younkcr-. 't~n't fair
That You should always ride the Dappc Mare"
The son was lnstv and the sire was old.
And so. with man. oath and many 4 frovn
The hape>> farmer did a> hc VAS tolc:
The man got off the >tccd; the boy rot on,
And rode away As fast She could trot.
And left his IN ,I,r II b,,,
That night. while seated round the kitchen fire,
The household sat; cheerful aS if no word
Or deed. provoked the injured fathers ire
49,, Or ought to make him sad had Ger occrrrcd.-
Thus slake he to his N. We quite forgot
think, I include that little turllip-lot,"
I'm very sure. my son. it wouldn't hurt it,.
Calmly observed the mcdi,ativc sire.
I" To take the deed. my lad. and Just insert it,
Here the old chap inserts it-in the fire,
Then cries aloud with most triumphant air,
"Iiho nor. my son. ah0H rue the Dojy,}e WaJe p"