Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-04-20

"Ab, you did them did you' Well. then
we'll have tea"
Mr.. Gray had placed an extra plate by the
side Of the school ma am, and now motioned
Willie to sit there
81 can wait, always do, said he, hanging
back"
"Nobody waits at my table, when there's
ROOM" said the Deacon. "Sit down boy, and
remember that is your place hereafter
1t seemed to Willie that be had suddenly
stepped into another world, everybody so
kind-everything so free.
Sunday morning came. Willie was
mp before sunrise, doing the necessary chores,
and then Mrs. Gray hung up an old blanket
in ono corner of the woodshcd and gave him
pail Of warm water, some soap, sponge
and towel, and told him TO strip himself 90
the skin, and wash himself thoroughly. And
then, just when the boy was holding his dir
ty, ragged shirt in his hand, and hesitating TO
put it on a sweet voice said kindly, "you will
find your clothes just outside the blanket,
Willie and then light footsteps ran away
lie peepcd out Sure enough. there was
bran new shirt the gift of Miss Merton, which
she had made evenings; the Deacons pants,
the mended jacket, pair of neatly darned
socks, some of the DeacOn's that had shrunk,
and pair Of good, stout shoes, the last
present from the Deacon who had told Miss
Merton and his wife, "he wouldn't do things
by halves he d test the boy thoroughly
There were many happy little faces in the
church that Sabbath morning, but none bright
or or more cheerful than William Hendrck-
sons, and no boy behaved himself better in
meeting either than did he, reading out OF the
same book Miss Merton did, kneeling by her
side, and reading the beautiful words Of the
hymns, as her sweet voice joined the chorus
OF the choir.
Weeks passed on. The summertime was
gone, and with it. the dear school ma am.
81 may never see you again, Willie said
she tendorly, as she held his hands at parting,
"but hope always to hear good report Of
you. The Deacon has promised to write to
me occasionally, and | shall expect to hear
from you in every letter. | shall never forget
you. | shall remember you in my prayers,
night and morning. Willie, you will not dis
appoint me-
Through his tears the boy sobbed out,
NO, no, no o, if you could always be with
me-"
81 leave you with Friend who never for
sakcs. Willie God is with YOU
She was gone, and it seemed 90 the poor
hoy that the heavens had shut its door on him
forever. But he manfully struggled with
himself, and though it was not near so easy
to be good under the new teacher that came
be 'gos good, remembering ever his promise
would like to follow his career. step by
step, but my story is growing long. and l can
only tell you the results Of his continued eff
forts after knowledge and goodness He be-
came SO near and dear to Deacon Gray. that
when he was sixteen be adopted him, his only
little blue-eycd son having been called to the
"other side Of the river" He went first to
the academy, then to college, then to a theo-
logical school, and then into the pnlpt. Yes,
he whom tho country people all said was
bound to go to the penitentiary now preach
es the gospel Of Christ, on every Sabbath day.
And the dear teacher, now an aged matron,
with silvery hair listens to him and learns of
him The pupil has become the pastor; the
worst boy in school is now one of the most
eloquent preachers, and what is better far, one
Of the best Of men. Verify, las yc sow, so
shall yc reap"