Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-05-29


leaving the poor little victim 20 await cru.
city which, considering the centuries Of Chris
tian progress that have elapsed since the
slaughter Of the innoceuts not ouly out Herod's
Iierod, but is one Of the darkest stains upon
our social life.
Just here, must pause TO offer plea for
the children, the most defenceless objects in
all Gods creation. We sigh over the mise
ries Of poor Smike, over poor little David
Copper6elds sorrowful journey alas, that
the magic hand that 40 moved us is vanished
forever, but can match these thrilling mar
ratives with true stories Of a child rendered
almost diotic by continued cruelty, and Of
little fugitive bound boy who, after weary
days Of hunting and travel, sank blstered
and fainting at his mothers feet.
can tell Of woman-think Of it--a
woman ! who, for some childish fault com.
mitied during the day. followed an orphan to
his bed with horse-whip, and there, when
there was no protection save the one thin lit
tie night garment, broke upon his innocent
slumber with singing blows. And upon the
evidence Of the laundry girl when that same
little garment came to the wash, it was striped
with blood This is not pleasant reading il
is far from being pleasant writing.
" father to the fatherless is God, In his
holy habitation" Think Of this, Oh mother,
whose household contains one Of these chill.
dren Of the Highest Think Of it as you
gather your little ones around the glowing
fire. for song or story, and make room for the
stranger within your door. When you divide
the boarded store of cakes or apples, remem-
Der that his little milk-tceth are as eager for
sweets as those Of your own darlings, and, be
there much or little, give him a share.
When your hand is laid caressingly upon
your own children's heads, let its light pres
sure also touch his young brow. Who knows
but it may be there like a consccrated chrism,
amounting him to noble deeds for God and
humanity
Do these things, and do them now. Check
not these kindly influences until it is too late
tuntil the thin hands are crossed within the
coffin, and the sad eyes-hungry for moth
er's kiss-have gone to tell their pitiful story
to him who said, Suffer little children !" or
worse until a young soul shall have grown
hardened; and little one offended by you,
shall have become lasting curse and clog
ging mill stone upon the neck Of society.
But to return to my story. Left alone in
the great barn, the sensitive child endured
the two-fold agony of nervous terror and an
ticpated suffering. But he had not long to
wait. Soon the heavy boots of old Beeson
were heard trampiug across the cow-yard and
into the barn. Robbie stole one furtive
glance as he entered, saw the hard set face,
the long black whip trailing from his hand
and the last vestige of hope was gone.
Now, you young rascal, III pay you for
your carelessness ~ cried the bitter master,
as he caught sight Of the little covering
form and he seized the trembling boy by the
arm, he raised the whip, like great stiffen.
ing serpent, high in the air.
But why did it not descend? The boy,
who had closed bis eyes and set his teeth hard
10 bear the torture, wondered at the delay
From somewhere above came rustliDg sound
and the cruel, uplifted arm was grasped, and
held with grip of iron. What could il
mean Had God sent one Of his mighty an.
gels down to rescue the little waif, too hope
less to implore his protectionf
, 1t we'll might be so, for our father is mol
! Indifferent to the troubles Of his suffering
children but the eyes of this glorious deliv
y erer were burning with too much indigpan
b. fury and human passion for those of n heav
b. enly ysitsnt.
4 " "Chris !" The one glad cry burst from
Robbie's lips, and then, unnotced by either
, he sank down among the hay and straw litter
, ing the floor.
"Coward hypocrite traitor I"
These were the words which burst impetu-
ousy from the young mans lips, and with
each epithet stunning blow was heavily
planted into the broad breast of the farmer.
els it thus you treat the little brother en-
trusted to your care Were it not that l
have learned to be something Of which you
do not even know the meaning ola gentle
mani would take the horsewhip and flay
you within an inch of your life. Well, in
deed, was it that it occurred to mo to test
your faithfulness in treating him kindly, be-
fore gave of my hard earnings for the boys
board. Here, in my pocket, are four hundred
, dollars designed for you-payment for every
week he has been here-but not one single
copper of it will you ever see now. On the
contrary, shall use it in prosecuting you to
the utmost limit of the law"
And he kept his word. This youth, whose
energy aud pluck had won the victory in a
hand to hand struggle with the world, was
not likely to be troubled with morbid pity for
his adversary; and with Sues fair, honest
face in the wtness-box, not only was the full
measure of justice obtained, but the hard
grasping farmer was disgraced forever in the
eyes of his friends and ncighbors.
Aside from the triumph concerning his lit
tie brother, the trial resulted most happily
t for Chris himself. While seeking to redress
3 an injustice and wrong, like his ilustrious
namesake, he discovered another fair realm -
! even the sweet old Eldorado Of love.
Aud now, when the western sun sinks amid
| the fowery prairies of Missouri, his last
1 beams gid cottage porch, where often sits
. slender youth and broad-shouldered
4 brouzed- faced poneer--the rescuer and the
. rescued while above them beams the soti
womany face Of happy Sue--wife and sister
loved and honored beyond all the world.