Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-09-16
The Golden Rule.

By UNCLE JOSEPH.
When ! was quite young man lived far
away from here, in mountainous country.
and very near where | lived there is what Is
called a mountain gorge, which was some ten
feet wide. Now to get on the opposite side,
one must travel some four miles so the
neighbors concluded 70 have a bridge built.
and each one that crossed pay toll and IN that
way pay for the bridge and keep It in repair
As | lived nearer the bridge than any one
else, they voted that | should be toll-rather-
er. This was not a very arduous task, as
there was not great deal Of travel in that
region, and very seldom any one wished to
cross the bridge after ten O'Clock at night
q, | must not forget TO tell you that there
was gate at one end OF the bridge which
was kept locked at night, and no one could
cross unless they came and reused me up
but ! always kept a light in the window to
guide the traveller to the house.
One day We had heavy pouring rain all
day aud as night came on, instead of abat-
ing, it seemed to increase IN violence. The
wind commenced to blow, aud | thought to
myself this is indeed "A fearful night but it
isn't probable that there will be amy travellers
tonight. However | put my light in the
window, and went to bed about ten o'clock.
| can not say how long slept, when | was
aroused by heavy knocking at the door
got up and opened it as soon as possible.
There stood man who seemed to be com
petely drenched with rain. asked him to
come in; but he said, young man, am
sorry to trouble you but ! am very anxious
to cross the bridge tonight, and would like
to have you open the gate for me" tried
TO persuade him TO come in and stop till
morning; bat he said he eould not think of
it, as he had child on the other side who
was very sick, and he felt that he must 20.
So | took my lantern aud the key, aud went
out to let him 90 across but when he got TO
where the bridge had been, we found it was
swept away. Then the stranger gazed in
CONSERVATION, and exclaimed, what shall |
do? what shall dol | fear my child will
die before can get to it,"
Then | said, stranger there is a place a
few rods above here, where have often wad-
ed across in pleasant weather. If you viii
get upon my back and trust yourself with me,
| think | can get You across safely" He
said, willingly, willingly young man, if you
are disposed to undertake it," So | took him
upon my back but as the water was quite
deep had to use great deal Of caution and
care but at last got him safely upon the
opposite bank When | put him down, he
offered me a well filed purse. thanked
him, and said wished for nothing but the
regular fee As | spoke | looked towards
him. and halo OF light seemed to surround
his head, as he repeated these words biQs.
much as Ne hare done IL unto another, ye har,
done Il unto me-" and he was gone.
How got back into bed again | have no
recollection In the morning, when | got up
my light was burning in the window as usual
The rain had ceased, aud looked out to view
the devastation caused by the late storm
when 10, and behold there stood the bridge
apparently strong and defiant as ever Then
| knew my labor of love had been all a
dream" But boys, it left an indelible i'm
preston upon my mind, and after that | was
more inclined than ever 10 do good as had
opportunity.
hope you will profit by the secret have
told you Try to do as you would be done
by; it is a very easy rule to follow. If you
are inclined to do wrong just stop and think
would like to have another do so by meP
That will decide it, and then you must do the
right thing.
Children, am an old man now but LEI
me tell you that never found anything that
would pay better than the practice of the
Z" Golden Rule"