Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-09-13

From the Independent
WHAT BECAME OF A POOR BOY.

hood Of large city
"MOthcr, said &c to his vile ono evening,
as he came in from woarisomc walk alter
some stray cows. - must hire boy to do
these 'chorrs what do you say ~ Peter
Saunders
Peter Saunders calculated the good wo-
man, why, what made you think Of him =
Ouc Of that miserable family would not an
.wer your purpose at all
"lt simply because the boy is miserable
that wish to take him. believe that be
has some natural ability, aud II left to grow
up al home be will be u curse to society. lf
our children were still young and at home It
would he dangerous experiment because Of
evil example. but as they have already gone
out into the world for themselves, believe
that 1t is our duty to try Peter Saunders"
Mrs Benton was silent. She wished to
examine tho subject in all its bearings, but in
this case her husband was sure Of her final
decision 80 taking up his bright tin milk
pals he trudged off to the barn and LEFT her
u her reflections.
$50 dirty :! soliloquized Mrs. Benton with
some disgust, for she was a pattern Of neat
ness $50 ill-mannered what can the good
man be thinking OF to take such Il child -
All, Mrs. H., you have u duty to perform in
this case, and just as soon as you view 1t III
that light you will hesitate no logger. even
though the sacrifice would cost your life.
Father" said Mrs. Benton, as they sat
down to their comfortable evening meal, Il
have been thinking over what you said about
poor little Peter Saunders, and believe you
are right. Suppose you 60 iot him carly next
week"
IL was no hard matter to obtain the consent
OF the idle, dissolutc parent, and Peter re-
turned with Mr. Benton. Toward evening
the tired horse, with apparent satisfaction,
stopped before the door, and Peter bounded
out like young bear just loosed from cage.
Mrs. Benton met hun at the door
"W,ll my boy, how are Jous Tired and
hungry, suppose. Come along with me-
Shc showed the way into her tidy kitchen,
where a substantial supper awaited him,which
was speedily deyoutod.
"Now. Peter" said she, Il will show you
your own room
Inc chamber was small but very neat
Upon chair by the bedside lay a change OF
linen, pure ana white. and suit of farm
clothes, whole aud comfortable
"Louk here, Peter, aud Mrs. b. opened
The door of large unfinished closet, you see
that fuh oi warm water, soap, aud coarse
towels: / want you to 60 IN there, wash your
sell thoroughly. thcn put on tie clothes, and
come down stairs that may see how you look
NLeu Peter maae his appearance he had
undcrg ne complete transformation. He
entered inc chamber looking much like a
Hottont1t; he came out white, rosy, fair
haired boy.
Mrs. Benton expressed her satisfaction With
the change.
"Only one thing more, Peter. ] must cut
and comb your hair, and after that you must
use this nice new brush three times a day be-
fore you come to the table
When Mir. Benton took down the Bible for
family worship, Peter stared. II was evil
IDENTITY "a new phase in his life After prayers
Mr. Bentun called him TO bis side.
" Can yod tell me, my child, who made
you."
NO
Did you ever hear Of God ,"
The child uttered dreadful oath. 1t was
evident that it was the only way in which he
had ever heard the sacred name. When Pc
ter had retired Tor the night Mr.. Benton said,
There. mother. is little heather for you,
brought up ia Christian New England, within
sound Of the church bell"
IL see it. father. and am afraid poor little
Peter is not the only instance of tue kild.-
We have much TO do for hun, and VIC II en-
dcavor to be faithful to our trust
The neglected child found good home
M and Mrs. Benton labOfcd assiduously to
teach him TO read and work, and to awaken
his blunied moral sense Alter months Of
earnest effort it was discouraging to allot him
q reasonable task, go away for time, and re-
turning, find il only half done Peter was
an eye-servant, for he had not been taught
the text, Thou, God, seest me. Some
times his friends were ready to despair, but
they thought OF tho long suffering kindness
of their heavenly Friend, and took courage
They did not labur in VAIN. In the autumn
Mr.. Benton had a severe Illness. It's affairs
seemed dark Indeed, for the work press
/ ing, and he never had supposed that Peter
could be trusted with the slightest matter
! without supervision. lie found he mad been
mistaken. Peter was not ungrateiui; he was
only ignorant. lie took hold Of the work
/ with strong hands and willing mind aud
/ MI Benton, on his recovery, was astoni~hed
to find how little HE business had suiIrret
during hs illness.
II we remain upon the farm another
year. sad Mr.. b., Peter will be inyaiuaol,
, a. as
/ 'in tnry ulu NOT hcNcfSes came. lhcl
wore obliged to remove, ana great addition
/ T. tr,r 'roublc va. the fact that they coult
no longer scep Peer,
II l.ii them, AID the worthy couple LOST
sight Of hm Tor few years. They did no
forget him, a. years passed by; and onen
in the sui hour Of worship, in their humble
abode, petitions arose that he might be guild
cd in the right way, and preserved from evil
A few Sabbaths since, as Mr.. and Mrs
benton we're entering the yesllbue Of th'
church, they saw a handsome young man il
neat uniform awaiting their approach. A
first they did not recognize their protege O
wears gone by Very respectfully he accoste,
them, and icy were oyorjoyed to see the i'm
provement Of their young friend. He ha(
walked nearly thirty miles in the dust ant
heat Of the previous day to find his age,
friends. and thank them for all their kindness
lilo accompanied them home, and they spok
to him SCI ously and Gffec,ionstely in relation
TO his interests for time and eternity. Tn
young man drew from his pocket copy 0
the Bible, the gin OF his pastor. IL wish t.
make his my guide and refuge both in tn
camp and upon the battlefield My kin,
friends you frat induced mo to think of lhes