The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-06-06

" Wv III liie "est, anu tneN must nave q
bolder moral tone. They do not make their
influence felt enough. MIS-.
A STEAMBOAT INCIDENT.
My Journey to Boston was as monotonous
as possible, and the two hours detention
there was not particularly exhilirating.-
There was no time to visit places of interest
and felt too misanthropc and gloomy for
social intercourse, although other gentlemen
were waiting like myself. More than once
had nearly determined to go home in the re-
turn train, but | was ashamed to do that af-
ter Mary's generous sef-sacrifce. Twas half
way to Stonington before began to rouse
up and look about me. was awakened by
the cries of a child, and | saw that the seat
in front of me was occupied by young wo-
man, plainly, but decently dressed, but with
an expression of anxiety on her face that in
stantly attracted me. She had baby in her
arms, and another, just big enough to walk,
on the seat by her. He was bright little
fellow, with great, flashing black eyes, and
thick coils of chestnut curls clustering all O.
yer his head; but he did not seem to be
well, and tretted continually for the soothing
attention that he saw bestowed upon the
more hel pless babe in his mothers arms
There were several bundles and carpet-bag
piled one above another on the seat next to
the window, and the little boy, in his restless.
ness, often displ placed them, and they came
rolling down upon the floor. l would like
to see the man who would not have succumb-
ed and hauled down his flag before such a
complication of miseries.
The young mother bore up bravely. While
hushing the baby and lulling it with a sweet
low lullaby to temporary quiet, she contrived
also to coax the little boys curly head to a
pillow on her knee, and thus doubly burden
ed, found means to divert his attention with
a cheap picture-book.
But the weather outside grew dark arC
unpleasant Thick clouds were slowly gath
ering their forces, and the wall of the vino
was often heard above the noise of the en-
gine. The anxious expression of the moth
ers face deepened as she watched the omi
nous signs that foretold a stormy night upol
the Sound. There was a quick, tremulou
motion of her lip at times, as if she were re
pressing the inclination to a hearty cry owe
her troubles
had just thought of what should hav
occurred to me long time before, that i
was possible for me to relieve her of a par
of her burden, ard was trying to drive my
self out of my selfish isolation by calling u
all the good Samaritan thoughts that ha
ever used in my sermons on practical beney
olence, when an accession Of passengers at
way station obliged me to resign my seat t
a lady, who actually thanked me for the civ
ility.
Left again to myself, leaning against tn
door of the car, resumed the thread O
gloomy contemplation that had of late be
come habitua, and was soon lost in the oil
weary labyrinth of conjectures in regard t
the state ofmy parish,it spiritual deafness, AN
the measures to be used to awaken any il
terest in religious things. grew more an
more sad and desponding as meditated, an
my cogtations We're as fruitless as ever.
> did not again think of the babies and the
mother till we were about leaving the cars
stonington. Happening then to glan'
down the car before getting out, saw h
looking about her in evident perplexity. I'll
: heavy rain was already pouring down, ar
s the darkness outside was not very attracti
even to unencumbered travellers.
l. | am ashamed to own that | did not off
n my assistance. Mary says she will never
n lieve it-that it is impossible for human n
? ture to be so bearish, but the humiliating tru
/ must be told. My own wretchedness al
e my sense of utter aselessness in my profe
It sion made me almost Indifferent for the tir
J. to the claims of humanity. Still was sen
e BILE of feeling Of surprise, which gradua
became indignation, as saw one lady af,
- another unconcernedly pass by, and 9th
m gentlemen as heartless as myself, ignori
ef her silent appeal to our sympathy. The {
d was emptied at last, though still stood
'u the door, hoping to see another do the Chr
y. tan duty that was so reluctant to perfor
ia l could not leave her to her fate as the r.
RS had done.
he Just then some one entered the door
he the other end, and I saw the young WON
he look eagerly round. She had failed in
a efforts TO arrange babies and bundles