The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-01-10
From the London Leisure Hour.
4 Midnight Adventure.

Midnisht-twelve o'clock precisely. The
town clock had Just proclaimed 1t % al! who
had ears TO hear, and the wish to listen.
had been to the theatre Il was interesting.
and | had STAYED to the end. How late, or,
as should say-or might make into an ex-
csse-how early. was some little distance
out Of town, and on my way homeward. my
steps led me past one of the city cemeteries.
At this spot | stopped uninten,ionally, or
perhaps my thoughts caused ME to pause. 1t
WAS beautiful summers night, and | took
things generally easy.
had ever been fond of testing my own
courage, merely for my own benefit-my own
confidence, my experience. What lucky
chance: 4 graveyard at black midnight -
Were the gates locked They were not. |
entered.
II was here that my poor parents were bu-
ried; here lay the last mortal remains of
those once SO dearly loved and respected.
| had very often visited, and knelt by their
graves betore-by the quiet homes of the
dead mourning in melancholy silence my
loss and bereavement, but never before had
approached al night.
Was timid, fearful. Why, no: there
was nothing to fear. Twas no coward, though
could not help noticing how gloomy, how
lonely and sad looking everything appeared.
. passed on-on through the long path-by
the still dropping willow-on past the white
row Of tombstones and raised mounds to NV
parents graves.
walked with tirmar step and quieter nerve
than had expected. though the idea of nv
situation caused me to shudder perceptibly
once in while; and here | beg you TO re-
member, tha, with the stoutest and bravest
of hearts. there mas been time Of similar
sensation. Not fear not cowardice; wonl,!
not style it that. but rather nervousness deep
ceiling. sensItlveness.
sat down on my mothers grave, and gaz-
ed about my singular position. \ cool night.
Fast-tieeting clouds overhead, indicating
rain. breaking now and then over the star
studded sky, casting < ioomy shadows along
through the rows OF graves. The bright
moon, now. perhaps. dampei OF lis brilliancy,
half hid behind the racing clouds. woul'!
sometimes shoe, out of It's shroudS. and cast
a bright stream OF light on the weary earth
chasing the re,reatins shadows before It, and
running up to my very feet. Then again
would il sink in the surrounding clouds. and
IN. long shadows creeping over the silent
ground. like Spectr.s. added a strange. weird
aspect to the scene While the low. inspir
inS winds. gently waiting through tie full
le,ved trees. would make a sound Ike tina,
Of dropping rain. 10 be a solitary visitor OF
such place. and az such a time was not
very desirable. luxury and remember hen
in my early childhood. sholld have >hud
Cered I the Very idea OF il.
Very naturally lny thoughts became direct,
ed to those WHO had PASSED before me. from
'h;> !iir ;o that vi eternity. AS 5 generally
the case with one in deep thought, my eye:
became rivtted on one spot. some little d!>
tance in front Of me. acrnss the patch. whert
saw, by the DIM moonlight. a new-mad
gr.ye-another tenement to the final. III,
universal resting place. That il was a poo
person who had been buried there. Judge,
bv lis situation. YES. indeed, wealth an,
poverty follow 70 the TOMB. retaining thei
outward mark of distinction even there.
Perhaps would moi have noticed it. Bu
was il iancy-~a> il reality? | saw some
thing move upon it. | cautiously rose an,
approached. Wha, caught my eyes? i!
bundle of rags, and two little bare fee,
stretched across the mound. 4 child sob
bins-mourntuliy sobhing. advanced an
touched The little specimen Of hu nani,y q
the shoulder.
Win i shiyer and a start h. Jumped I
, his 'eet and turned his fearful. sorrnwlns fac
toward me. Frightened and angry at thi
in,errup ion. he attempted Ia escape.
stop, my little fellow" said |, in as gent
, a tone as the occasion would permit. all
-, catching him by the arm. Come. tell NJ
g.. what you are crying for. Don't be atrai,:
what IS Your name
Lambert White" he suffered throus
his tears.
And for what are YOU crying 500"
Poor boy, he broke from my grasp. threw
himself down over the grave with such
scream as thought would have broken hi
, heart, and sobbinS piteously, 80 mother
mother, dear Mother
Alas, | well krew for what he was weer
ing. His best friend and parent. taken frol
,, him at 50 early an age. 1t was a sad los
indeed; deeply Sympathized with him. An
;, ssch affection too. \, the hour of midnisl
mourning in solitude over her silent tomt
: | managed 10 quiet him-queStioned IN
learned more of mis- history. His mother ha
! been buried that afternoon His father W;
: We; living. No brothers nor sisters. Po,
, lonely child
: |, was with difficulty that coaxed him ,
= leave the spot. and allow me to accompar
\ him home. was now deeply interested, ,an
q resolved to follow my conductor
|, Strange-or was it strange Il thougl
:. not Of nv owr home-I thought not of III
. time. My mind was engrossed in the ia,
. of the poor, hel pless little fellow beside m
! On he led me. on through dreary streets, |
=, cross lanes. through blind narrow allevs.
= followed The cold, small hand wherever
F. led. He stopped at last, in front of a croo
= ed. rotten-looNing building. dirty and anc:e
= as fa- as could ascertain in the dark. I
= spoke no, word, but up pitch-dark, bro
N en- pair of stairs, l. stumbling almost at ev
" step, and scarcely knowing if it was Ill
cretion. whether it was policy or not, to pr
ceed any farther, though dearly loved a
ID venture, and now certainly knew no. wh
( was before me. AT last my guide put
St hand to latch. Il could only tell it was su
le by the soundD and opened door.
D \ low, garret-l"oking room, with but I,
y small wind dpws, half of the lights stuffed wi
rags. The ceiling broken. crooked and
ie ty. \ small table and a light. 20 Poverty
re one bit of ,allow candle-Hckering and Wa
IN ing BY the wind from the window stuck
- tween three nails on a block of xoo.., thr
II dim glare over the greater part of the
" partmcnt.
In oae corner there lay heap Of "a:
meant. suppose, for bed, and in anott
- lot of old kettles and a stove This, as