Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-04-21
The Gold Repeater.

IL was nearly fifteen years old" says Mr.
| IIamerlin when | studied with my Uncle
and longed for nothing more than good
substantial watch. All, said |, when one car
tell the time for himself, he has a sure pledge
of approaching manhood Indeed, | still
think at that time Of my life. when first the
realities Of existence dawn upon US, every
one should be taught to have due regard tC
time, for time is the most precious gift il
rightly husbanded, and a watch in the pocket
will aid much in accustoming one to the care
full improvement Of it, and to punctuality.
As Christmas day drew near, desired
nothing more earnestly than TO receive d
present Of watch, yet breathing the wish tc
no one, not even to my light-hearted sister
Minna. But if watch was spoken of,
trembled with anxiety; if any one by chance
/ inquired what time it was | was like one
possessed. That must have betrayed me, foi
hear what beiell me.
One noon as | entered the room-I wa.
Just on the threshold heard my father say
to mother, Wife, hide Adams gold repeat
er quickly; then he wrapped something il
a paper and concealed it, | affected to see
and hear nothing. Noio, however, when
walked the street. fancied | saw the colder
future awaiting me. 1t panied me that mer
should wear their watches concealed in theil
pockets, aud not outside and so easily doe,
vanity mislead one that | really thought il
would be far more Jeneroleat to wear them so
that poor people could see the hours and min.
utes.
Men may wear watches buried in theii
pockets but they must be set by the clock on
the church tower, and the clock on the church
tower must be regulated by the sun, who's,
course God has fixed from eternity and man
can do nothing more than make figures on th,
sun dial, which, as the shadows fall, shall in
dicate the position of the universal, enduring
light. Here, also, is a repetition of our inner
life; but did not think of this, my thought.
were very different. stood long before the
watch case; placed my penkniie for awhile
in my right vest pocket-the left was reserv.
ed for something better. Man carries hi.
watch where his heart is said | to myself
and there is ticking within and without
could not refrain from telling my companions
what made me SO happy, but did not make
all known and said mysteriously that OIL
Christmas eve they would open their eyes and
ears when they heard something that could
speak for itself Then | ran away before
they could ask what it was.
Christmas eve came, and the festal tapers
were lighted. When the folding doors were
opened, we children rushed in, and then stoot
still with wonder My heart beat violently
there indeed lay a watch for me, but alas
it was slger : My joy was dampeed, but
calmed myself, and said, Silver is mucl
whittier and thicker, and it ticks loudly"
pressed the handle with all my might, but it
did not strike A fearful sorrow came over
me.
" 1t is good for nothing" | said. | laid
down the watch, and leaving the room, went
to my chamber and wept and lamented as il
my heart would break, Then / thought
would kill myself since had no gold repeat
er, and then | wept again over my young life
since | must now die, because all my hopes
were not fulfilled Soon my mother camC
with a light, and when blamed her from lny
unutterable sorrow for the deception, she
pressed her lips together and looked upon me
with those true loving eyes which | see even
beaming, although earth has long since closed
them She told me my crror-that | would
have been delighted with simple watch had
never heard of gold repeater that my
father had teased me, to give me lesson to
be happy with less than expected, and that
| must not be ungrateful to God or man,
So she spoke in her mild, earnest tone and
as | had exhausted the.iountains of my tears,
| went down to the parlor. was no longer
sad, nor yet joyous, and yet possessed an ad-
mirable time keeper. While | lay in bed
the wicked spirit came again, and resolved
to open the window aud throw away my
watch, but it was cold, and laid still, How
often evil deeds are restrained by trihing cir
cumstances, and how little reason have we to
pride ourselves upon our virtues.
Oyerpowered with weeping and excitement
was soon fast asleep, and rejoiced the next
morning to hear my watch merely ticking.
For eight days avoided all my companions,
and they soon forgot my boastings. | wore
the watch without showing it to any one, and
was greatly pleased with it, Ii is now forty
years since that time, and | still wear the
watch, nor does it lose a minute.
Since then have understood my mothers
words. In myself found the point Of my
story. If see a man satisfied with nothing
he has, because he expected something better
| think he ,oaS hopi'g for a gold repeater
When | undertake some business, and il voxes
me that il does not turn out as l expected, i
say to myself am thinking of the gold re-
peater still. If l sec man aiming at show
or some high thing, and has only increased his
sorrow by boing compelled to pass his lire IN