The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-10-03
Fomtb's department..
Ann Smith.

From Emerson Micnin. AMI Putna'ns M"'i'iE.
You don't know herr Well. | am sorry
for that. Every town in the known world
should possess as least ore Ann Smith.
Listen. and | will tell You of her. She
lived in a large. low-rooftd. substantial farm
sisters an myscIf-rrc.ivyltI, IL, olnd wcf!A
of an education.
4 ball,liug brool-in which. with bare feet.
we often sported and ti>hcd for dtr|-ran be
tween the two buildings. but it did not serve
as barrier to us: in low wafer. could
skim across its shallow surface stepping light
" from one rock to another: when swollen
by rains. as was not unfrcqucntly the case.
We ran around by the bridge. and though we
came every dav. We were always sure of =
smile from Ann Smith.
She was truly mothcr-in good deeds
to us all. 1t was her hand that bound up the
bruised arm and bleeding hand of many a
unfortunate scholar She had ncver-aing
remedy for the headache. salvcS for burns
and bruises. which she applied herself to the
affected parts whenever needed. and that Was
almost daily: for the children. in their during
attempts to climb the stone walls and trees
near the school-housc. caught Sundry falls.
1t was her voice that recalled our attention
to the school bell when we were lettering
about her yard. 1t was her voice that warll-
ed us Of an approaching shower when We
paused on our way homcwarl to build sand
houses by the roadside and when. as school
children are wont o do. we quarrclcd and
forming friends and enemies III separate COM
panies. we drew up for conflict. it was her
mild voice that restored peace and unity to
the contcnding parties.
On cold, snowy, blowy nights in mdwint-
err. when just a glance from the school-room
window would cause one to shiyer-whcn
huge drifts Of falling SHOW were piled one
above another in our hoinewar;l path. and the
pelting snow and >lect blinded Us. il was her
hoSpitablc door that was thrown o|cn. her
pleasant voice that babe Us enter. and her
whole heart that balr us welcome. Many a
night like this. when The wind was blowing a
hurricane without. with some Dozen Sho~lt>S.
half-clad children. who had. like ourselves.
sought shelter there. we have sat BY the
bright. blazing wood fire for hours. and list
IN 6
And good. moral stories they were too: and
as indelllly engraved upon my memory Is
the We stminstcr Cat"clli>m. which reci;cl
to nv teacher every Sabbath as long As
went to Sunday school.
y large. thrifty pcartrcc grew in enc corn:
er of the orchard. and but li'ilc WV from
the house; it hung ioadcd with pears not Vet
ripe. and we ~choo!-ch;!drcn used often to
look wi>hfully at the buHci!cs of tempting
fruit which could be seen from tie play
ground.
l often wished with watering mouth that
we might have JUS; one ari' &c. and one day
i will confess it. though blush with shame
at my covctous i>po>ition-havim- sazcd
long at the delicious fruit. wli:c! was Just be
ginning to turn from green 20 light yellow.
l spoke my wishes aloud.
We can get the pearl Luo'" We can
ji>t as easy as n"thi,.' 1t al, fer Ann Smiths
gone away and locked ~ II" house. s;,,
lean. black-cved boy VIZ vas always rca;lyto
lead us into mischief. Since the first wccl: Of
his scholarship he had been clr;~tc,cl tanl
rightly Cnoush Corta.f"ot.
"IIow do YOU know shes gone" asked a
tall. rcd-haircd. frecklc-fccd girl. with her
sun boncnt in her hand where she always
carried it, as her face demonstrated
Il seed her when she went up the hill. az.
swcrcd Clovcr-foot.
Flip: hip: hurra who's for pears?
shouted one Of the most daring of the boys
Al
And l.
And /. too" ran through the eager
crowd. and simultaneously all started on a
run for the peartree. pau>ing only to secure
clubs and stones with which to knock off the
fruit followed. though not exactly Satist-
ed with the part had taken in the affair.
had broken one of the comm art! mcntS
by by coveting my neighbours goods.
and could not enjoy the sport the
others called it; vet, when saw the stones.
clubs. and sticks Of smaller dimensions hurl-
ed into the tree, and the pears dropping on
the ground despite the stings of conscience.
secured my full share.
The clubbing operation was going on most
vigorously, when the side door opened. and
Ann Smith stepped out and stood before us.
That We deserved sound beating we were
all well aware: for we had not Only knocked
off the fruit. but several large branches were
broken from the trunk and had fallen upon
the ground. Like other culpritS, we all hung
our heads in shame as we felt her eyes were
upon us. and dropped the fruit held to the
ground.
I'VE shall rn'rh It soon." said the little
Cloven-f foot. and felt ready to tear him in
pieces for the fal>chood he had uttered
Ann Smith had never scolded or spoken
unkindlv to US: but we had never committed
so grave all offence before. and for one felt
sure of switching. Imagine nv surprise