The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-04-25
An Incident in the West.

Some years since, temperance man NOV
ed with his family from South Carolina to the
West. The sparseress Of the population,and
the continued travel by his place, rendered it
a necessary act Of humanity in him frequent
ly to entertain travellers who could get no
farther. Owing to the frequency of these
calls, he resolved to enlarge his house, and
put up the usual sign.
Soon after this an election came OIL. The
triumphant party felt that it was wonderful
victory, and some young bloods' Of the ma
jority determined, in honor of it, to have a
regular blow out Accordingly, mounted on
their fine prairie horses, they started on
long ride. Every tavern was visited on their
route, and the variety thus drank produced a
mixture which added greatly to the noise
and boisterousness of the company. In this
condition they came, about dozen in num-
Der, to our quiet temperance tavern. The
landlord and lady were absent: tie eldest
daughter, fourteen years of age, and five
younger children, were alone in the house.
These gentlemen (for they considered
themselves such) called for liquor.
We keep none,' was the modest reply of
the young girl.
What do You keep tavern for, then
For the accommodation of Travellers
We'll, then, accommodate us with some
thing to drink
you will see, sir, by the sign, that We keep
temperance tavern
a temperance tavern, QIere the children
clustered around their sister, Give me an
AK and Ill cut down the sign
You'll find an ak at the wood pile, sir.
] Here the party, each one with an oath,
made a rush to the wood pile, exclaiming,
Down with the sign Down with the sign
But the leader in going out, discovered in
an adjoining room splendid piano and its
Accomplishments. Who makes that thing
squeak y said he.
, i play, sometimes, said the girl, in quiet
modest manner.
! You do? Give US a tune
Certainly, sir;' and taking a stool, while
the children formed a circle close to her, she
sung and PLAYED The Old Arm Chair Some
of them had never heard piano before 9th
ers had not heard one for years. The tumuli
was soon hushed: the whip and the spur gen
tlemen were drawn back from the wood pile
and formed circle outside the children
The leader again spoke: VIII YOU be SC
kind as to favor US with another song?
Another was played, and the children be
coming treasured. some of them Joined thei
sweet voices with their sisters. Song aste
song was sung and played. One would tCucl
the sympathies of the stranger, another mel
in grief; one would arouse their patriotism
another their chivalry and benevolence; un
til. at length, ashamed 10 ask for more, the,
each made low bow. thanked her, wished
her good afternoon, and left her as quietl,
as if they had been to funeral.
Months after this occurrence, the father il
travelling, stopped at village, where gen
tleman accosted him:
Are you Col p Of So
Il am
Well, sir, l am spokesman of the part
who so grossly insulted your innocent famil,
threatened to cut down your sign, and spok
SO rudeiy TO your children. You have jus
cause to be proud of your daughter, sir; he
noble bearing and fearless courage were r,
markable for one so young and unprotected
Can you pardon me, sir? feel that | ca
never forgive myself