The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-01-01
TIL + CAL E DON A n
Chr Ghildreus Corner.
The DisObedient Boy.

twelve years OLD, his father came 10 hlm ant
said: Henry, my boy, this is your birth
day, and am going to give you and you
brothers holiday this afternoon you ma!
go to the fields, and take one or two Of you
companions with YOU"
The afternoon came. bright ard beautiful
Before starting. Mr. Stanley said: Henry
You are older than any Of your brothers o.
friends; you must therefore set them gOoL
example Don't 90 through Farmer Clarke''
field, for there is dangerous bull there. IT,
round by the lane. Now mind whof | say.
Mr.. Stanley then told Henry to take great
care Of Frank, his youngest brother. Frank
was a beautiful child, about six years of age
with bright dark eyes and rosy cheeks, The
pride and pet Of the family. At the close o
the day the boys were to have tea with ar
old servant Of their mothers called Dame
Burton, who lived in neat, pretty cottage
at the foot Of the lane.
When they had gone some distance, the.
came to Farmer Clarkes field and the lane
which were close together. Here they stop.
ped. :" wish We cou d only 90 through the
field" said Henry in frettul grumbiine
tone, its SO mich nearer. I'm sure the
bull would nj hurt US. don't think father
knew We had Roushie with us, or I'm sure he
would mt have forbidden US to 60"
"Oh, do come along the lane" said his
bi other Alfred, it's not much further; and
if We 60 through the field We shall be DISC
beying father
well" said Henry, "let me stop and
hn I ~
to see this bull"
Frank came to the gate with Roughie, and
sat singing on the stile, tying flowers which
he had gathered 10y the way, on Roughie's
neck. Presently he saw some bright ones
growing on the bank and knowing nothing
about he bull, he slipped off the stile, ran
into the field, and began to pick the flowers.
Meanwhile Henry looked over the gate, but
saw nothing of the bull. 1T isn't here" said
he; bat he had hardly spoken the words be-
fore he heard low believing. Not the
least frightened, Henry climbed up the gate
AT length he saw the bull approaching slowly,
though he did not appear TO see him. He
then got down, not noticing Frank; he did
not even look for him, as he thought he Was
with his brothers, who were walking up the
iIe. He next orened the gate, which was
fastened YER, securely, saying, Now for
some fun" Though'.ess, wicked boy. Thus
he went uto the " lraISgressorS way We
shall see directly how hard he found it.
He picked up some stones, and entering
the field, he began TO throw them at the bull.
Directly the bull began paving the ground,
and believing with rage. Now Henry wss
frightened. aud ran out of the field, but tor
getting TO fasten the gate after him.
His brothers were gone some distance, and
were seated on the bank at the road side
waiting Tor him. Henry came up painting
for breath, and cried you towards. You
were afraid Of the bull! Why
Here Alfred interrupted rim, saying in
quick hurried tore, "Where's frankie !?
On. Henry, why did ut you bring him with
YOU"
Henry stopped and turned pale. "He
mus, have come but here he was inter-
rupted again by seeing the bull coming up
the lane at fall speed toward them. Henry
shreked with terror, ard tried to follow his
brothers. who were running with all their
might. But presently the bull overlook him.
tossed him high up in the air and left him
lylng senseless In the road. In this state he
was picked up and carried home
And now are all wondering what has be-
come Of dear little Frank. You remember
he had slipped into the G=ld TO gather flow
efs. lioushe followed him. Presently the
dog began to bark loudly, and ran ava,
IRON Frank. This made Frank turn round,
when he saw the bull running up to him
The poor child screamed, and called for his
mother; but she could neither hear nor helm
HIM. The bull came on, and running at
Frank, tossed him over the hedge on to
hayrck which was in the next field
Atterward. some men who were going by.
saw Roughie, who had climbed up on the
hayrick, where his little master Law bleeding,
and was barking furiousy. They lifted the
dear boy down, and carried him to Dame
burton's cottage. They t oleht that he had
only tainted, and tried everything to bring
him to, bur IN vain. Then he was carried
home and GENT laid on the sofa. His paor
mother-ah, think of her feelinss-was
leaning over his pale sweet face, when sud
denly, SO Slddenly that she started bach, his
large dark eyes opened, and his gentle voice
SAID, Dear, dear mother: ks. ME, dear
mother; and then before she could stoo,
down TO kiss him, his eyes were closed, his
lips were still, and a bright angel had receiv-
ed the spirit of dear little frankie to carry
1t up to heaven.
1t was long time before Henry became
conscious. When he first came to his senses
he found himself in darkened room, with
me curtains drawn closely round his bed
lie raised himself on one side and listened
he heard some one signing deeply. moth,
er, he nurmuled softly. The curtains were
opened. another, where is frankie? wba,
has happened ?"
You have been i'll my child" said mis-
mother quie,! and smoothing his pillow,
she laid his heat down on it. Henry seem
ed confused and oewildersd. At length he
SAID, Mother. have been dreaming p
What fright | had! How strange it seems.
But, mother, No I've not been dreaming.
remember It all now. Oh mother tell me-
do tell me where frankie is :"
In heaven, my child; dear little frankie
is beautiful angel now.'
"Oh, mother, | have killed him. Can you
ever forgive me? never can be haooy an,
more. My brother. oh. my brother." No
words can express the anguish of poor Hen
rvs heart when he thought that his darling
pet, his dear little Frankie, was in his tinV
grave, brought there through his disobeci-
snce; and that he should never hear his
merry laugh again when playing with old
houghie. Poor Henry he had learned Bit
Ter lesson indeed.
Slowly ne recovered his health again, but
ne never, never forgot the scenes of tina,
lay. HIS whole life was embittered by the
sao fecol.ecuons of the twelfth birtn-day.-
ana though ne found peace at last through
Inc blood OF Jesus, aud felt that God, for
lhflsts sake, had forgiven his sin, sc, the
recollection q Il hing r.. h; H.