Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1857-01-30

| lit sitA on your knee. NOsa, VINO knew long
before of its coming, wished to be its god
mother, and Peter. my husbands brother was
TO be godfather On the christening day.
there was some conversation about the name
which should be given to the child. Rosa
begged us to call the child John, but the god
iather--a good man, but rather obstinate,
wished, and there was nothing to object to IL,
that il should be called Peter after him. And
so, after a long discussion, it was baptized
John Peter and we call him Pcerkcn because
his godiather-to whom he belongs more than
TO Rosa, being a boy--will have it so, and
would be offended if we did not do it. But
Rosa will not hear Of Poerkcn--shc viii call
the child nothing but Johnny; and the little
fellow is accustomed 20 it already, and knows
that he is called Johnny, because it is your
name, sir
The traveller pressed the child passionately
to his breast, and kissed him warmly. Silent
ly musingho gazcd iutently at the boy laugh
ing countenancc, while his heart melted with
a sweet sadness. Tho woman continued
Rosa's brother had made an arrangement
with some people in Antwerp, TO buy up VIC
tuals of every kind. i'm an the places about, To-
send TO England. lie would soon grow rich
with this trade, people said for cycry week
he took ten carts full Of provisions to Ant
wcrp. At first all went well but suddenly
some one failed in Antwerp and the unlortu-
nate Tist Meuincz, who had been security,
was ruined. and was made 80 very poor by IT,,
that all his goods were not enough by half 60
pay his debts He was not able TO bear up
under it all. and died. poor fellow may our
Lord receive his soul Rosa then went TO
live in a little room at Nand Flincks, in the
corner yonder; but in the same year, Karel,
l..
came home with inhamed eyes He had not
been a fortnight at home, when lac lost his
sight altogether Rosa, who had felt great
pity for him, and always did what her kind
heart babe her had nurscd him during his ill-
ness. and now used to lead him about to keep
up his spirits, and refresh him little. But
Rosa soon caught the same disease, and has
never since bcheld the light Of day Nand
Fhnck is dead. and the children are scattered:
the blind Karel is provided for bya iarmerno
far from Iior We then begged Rosa to come
and live here. and told her that we should be
very much pleased TO see her beside us, and
would willingly work for her all our lives
and she came with pleasure. And before God
we can declare, that she has now been nearly
six years here and has never heard from us
anything but words of kindness but then
she is all goodness and love and if anything
were to happen, which was to be pleasant to
Rosa, ] do believe our children would fight
and tear each others hair to be the first to -
And she bcgs :" sighed the traveller
Yes, sir, but that is not our fault, replied
the waman with offended pride. Do not
think that we have forgotten what Rosa once
did for us. Had it been necessary to yoke
! ourselves TO the plough. and endure hunger
for her sake she would not have required tC
beg. What do you think of us, sir No
! VIC prevented it for more than six months
and that is the only wrong we have done t.
3 Rosa As our family increased rapidly, Ros
feared in her angel heart that she would be
o i'..ssl - 80. r-'a wished to assist q little
1t was all in vain to oppose She became quit
+ i'll with vexation; we this, and after hal
r a years S cntreaties we were at last compelled
to allow her to take her own way. But 1t i
no disgrace to a blind woman. Though W.
are very poor, We arc. thank God, not so need
as to9a quire il but she compcls us for al
A that to take now and then a share of her gain
for we cannot be at variance with poor bin
4 Rosa but we give it back again in anothe
m way For although she does not know il
she is better clothed than we. and the foo
a which we prepare for her is much better tina
our own. 4 little pot is always devoted
M her Sec. there il is, two eggs with butter
T. sauce, in addition to potatoes The remain
ing money she lays aside, if l understand he
d rightly, as little portion to our childrc
l. when they are grown up. We thank her fror
ID our hearts for her love; but, sir, we can d
" little else
h The traveller had listened with the deepc
k silence to this explanation; quiet smil
which beamed upon his countenancc, and
"A slight occasional movement Of the eyes, wc
Al i.
ID Joy which filled his heart.
lv The woman had ceased speaking, and ha
n set her wheel in motion again while Il
~ traveller remained for time occupied wi
his own reflections suddenly he put Il
is child on the floor, and turning TO the ma
who was busy with his brooms, said in a toi
;" very like command
i'm '' Cease workngh
,d The broom maker did not understand
er first what he was after, and rose from his sc
nd astonished at the tone Of the stranger voiC
Cease, say,-and give me your han
it farmer Neis"
ID. ''Farmcr % muttcred the broom-makor wi
M surprise.
,r- Come. come" cried the traveller. 80
ed the door with your brooms ] win give y,
,or hide Of land, four mich cows, a hcter, {,
in horses, and everything else which goes
is make up comfortable arm-steading. "
err do not believe me-" he continued, showi
TO the broom maker handful of gold pieces.
TO ''What say is true. might give you Il
.he gold, but | love and respect you too much
at put money in your hand. J win make y
M the possessor of good hide of land, and oy
Iial after my death, | viii benefit you and yC
ak. children"
lad The good people gazod at him with mo
me eyes, and appeared not yet quito 70 comp
- hend all he said When the traveller was
to bout to renew his PROMISE Pecrken cage
hat seized him by the hand, as if he would
lb. something to him.
MS "What is it, my dear child - he asked.
gbt mir. john replied the boy, "see -
ere workers are coming from the fields. ! kn
.om where Rasa is. Shall | run to meet her,
our tell her that you have come y
ide, The traveller took Pcerken's hand,
With drew him towards the door
the "Come along; we shall go together y
and said and taking leave Of the family will
and slight and hasty gesture, he accompanied
the child, who led him towards the middle of
the village. AS soon as they had reached the