St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1871-02-24
RaDert's Christmas GiH.
Bl BEETE IIAI.TE.

About four years ago at this time, be-
gan the Doctor, | attended course of
lectures i'll Il certain city. One of the
professors, who was 4 sociablc, kindly
man-;hough somewhat practical and
Observation-Disclosures me TO his house on
Christmas night. was very glad TO 20,
as | was anxious TO see one Of his sons.
who, though only twelve years old. was
said TO be very clever. | dare not tell
how many Latin Verses this little fellow
could rccitc, or how many English ones
he had composed. In the first place,
you'd want me TO repeat them sccon l.
ly, I'm not a Judge of poeiry-Latin or
English. But there were judges who SAID
they were wonderful for boy, and ev-
erybody predicted a splendid future for
him. Everybody but his father lie
shook his head doubtingly, whenever it
was mentioned, for, rs | have told you,
he was Il practical, matier-ot-tact man.
There was a pleasant party at the Pro-
frssor's that night. All the children of
the ncighborhood were there, and
among them the Professors clever son,
Rupert, rs they called him,-a thin little
clap, about as tall as Bobby there, and
as fair and delicate as Flora, by my side
His health was feeble, lis father said ;
he seldom ran about aud played with
other boys,-preterring to stay at home
and brood over his books, and compose
what he called his verses.
|, I 4 I.
this, and we had been laughin. and talk
ing, calling Oft the names of the children
who had presents on the tree, and every
boiy was joyous and happy, when one OF
the children suddenly uttered Il cry OF
mingled surprise and hiIariiy, and said :
'Ilere's something for Rui cri-and wha.
do you think it is ~
We all guessed. a desk )" '+r copy
OF Milton : ga gold pen = "a lhyming
dictionary" "No what then ~
"a drum"
ga what p asked everybody.
"a drum, with Rupcrt's name on it,
"Surc enough, there it was. A good
sized, new, bfass-bounl drum, with a
slip of paper on it with the inscription ::
''FOR RUrEET."
OF course We alI laughed, an i thought
it good joke. '.You see, you're TO
make noise in the world, Rupert" said
one. "Ilere's parchment for the poet,
said another. "Rupert's last work in
shecp-skin covers" said third.
'Give us classical tune, Rupert, -
said a fourth, and SO ON. Bat Rupert
seemed too mortified to speak he chang
cd color, bit his lips, and finally burst
out into Il passionate fit of crying, and
left the room. Those who had joked
him felt ashamed, and everybody began
to ask who put the drum there. But no
one knew, or, if they did, the unexpect-
ed sympathy awakened for the sensitive
boy kept them silent. Even the servants
were called up and questioned, but no
one could give any idea where it came
from. And what was still more singu-
lar, everybody declared that up 10 the
moment 1t was produced, no one had
seen 1t hanging on the tree. What do |
think ! We'll l have my own opinion
But no questions. Enough for you to
know that Rupert did not come down
stairs again that night, and the party
soon after broke up.
had almost forgotten these things,
for the war Of the rebellion broke out the
next spring, and l was appointed sur
geon in one Of the new regiments, and
was on my way to the seat Of war. But
had TO pass through the city where the
Professor lived, and there L met him.
My first question was about Rupert. The
Professor shook his lead sadly: Giles
not so WE'LL he said "hc has been de
Ginning since last Christmas, when you
saw him. y very singular case" he add
cd, giving it a long Lplil name s'a very
strange case. But 90 and see him your
sell, )" he urged; at may distract Iii, mind
and do him good"
l went accordingly 10 the Professors
house, and found Rupert lying on a sofa.
propped up with pillows. Around him
were scattered his books, and what seem
ed in singular contrast, that drum that |
! told you about was hanging on nail