Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1857-12-18
puutb's Department.
From The American Messenger
GRANDFATHER'S ADVICE.

"What would you advise me TO do, grand
pai Jim Blake does everything he can to
vox me. He hides my books to make me
miss my lesson, trips me when we run races.
and brags how big he is beside me, and how
easily he take me down and to-day he
broke the snapper off the new whip you gave
me, and when | ran to tell the teacher he
called out 'teltale.' wish | could leave the
school, or get him turned out"
All this was said by little Sammy Halsey
on his way from the large front gate, where
his grandfather had taken him in his carriage
on his way to the barn Imagine his sur
prise when the white-hared old man. whose
quiet temper had always been held up as a
model for imitation, turned about and said
81 don't know, Sammy, unless you contrive
in some way to break every bone IN his body :
that is the way my father once conquered an
enemy"
why, grandpa, thought your father was
a minister !"
$50 he was, and at the time refer to was
Christian boy, just beginning to turn his
attention to the subject of studying for the
ministry"
Seeing Sammy's wondering, dissatisfied
look, grandpa said, take hold and help me
unharness Bill, and while we are at work
VIII tell you about it.
"When my father, whose name was Rob
ert, was a boy, he and his brother Richard
used to have some differences. They loved
each other, but still their high temper some
times led them astray. After while my
father became a Christian, and by his godly
example rcproved many of the wicked and
thoughtless practices of his companions. He
refused to accompany them when going to rob
an orchard, break the Sabbath, or disobey
their parents, and persisted in reproving Their
conduct on all proper occasions, so that even
his brother was for time turned against him.
"'By and by have heard my uncle say,
I'VE couldn't stand Roberts pious WAYS any
longer, particularly as he had told father OF
some of our wrong doings, and got us pun
ished. So one day caught him alone in the
orchard, got horsewhp, and gave him a
regular thrashing and knowing that he
would tell my father, and get me whipped in
return, | gave him several extra cuts on that
account ! came in rather slowly whom the
horn was blown for supper, for dreaded
fathers angry looks, and besides, | began TO
be ashamed of my disgraceiu conduct. As
Robert had not tried to resist me, but had
walked away without speaking, | felt sure
that he would make up for il by telling of me
as soon as he reached the house To my
surprise no one seemed to know about it. and
Robert greeted me as kindly as if nothing had
happened, though | knew his back was SO
sore that he could hardly sit up just before
bed time, said in kind Of a sneaking way.
Didn't you tell father of me, BobY No,
Richard, no one but my Father in heaven,
and he has helped me to forgive YOU. Thai
remark and The kind took Of his face, broke
every bone IN my body / begged his forgive
ness alone and before the whole family, and
from that day was a changed boy. | never
again did any thing to grieve him, and before
long began, | trust, to walk the strait and
narrow path with him. Poor, dear Robert,
after many suferngs and tolls, he has gone
TO glory"
sammy's grandfather added. II have heard
uncle Richard say in trembling voice, THAT
time he broke ocery bone in pay body"
by this time the horse was turned into the
field, the wagon house closed, and Sammy
walking by his grandfathor's side in differ
Ont mood from that in which he had entered
the carriage
AS grandpa went into the house be said
SAMMY, don't you think you had better try
uncle Roberts way of subduing an enemy !
Take my advice, try it; heap Goals of fire
upon his head and be will be apt to surren-
der" w