Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-06-11
From the Aldine for June.
Young Aartin and Old Martin.

oung Martin was the son OF old Mar
tin. Both were blacksmiths, and piled
their trade in Tacktown, when there was
any demand when there was none, they
sat among the iron bars in the shop. or on
the timber threshold. enjoyin" " them
selves,"-as they informed the passers-by
-" most to death doin' nothin'."
Cd Martin lived in his flannel shirt.
s,eaves, and wore rusty spectacles young
Martin and big jack-knife were INSOFAR.
ables. He picked his teeth with it in his
reflective moments, and whitfield with it
when lively. Old Martin was an ever.
lasting talker, and drew the long bow with
extreme good nature. With him a lie
was benefit to please, amaze. or in
struct. At middle age he was seized with
mission. though he did not call it So
packed his goods, and with his family
moved to New London, distant fifty miles.
La five years he returned as Unexpectedly
as he went, unlocked his front door, made
a fire of chips, hung over the tea-kettle,
and Sat down before it happy man and
his soul hugged the forsaken Lares and
Penates. Amy, his wife, sat dumb in
corner, taking vigorous pinch OF snuff.
" Amy said old Martin. " declare fort;
if you can tell me whatever we went away
for, L, for one, shall be ob!eeged to you"
Needn't " be under any obligation to me-
I amt the one to kalkilate the ways of
Providence"
Those FIVE years of absence, SO to speak,
were the battle ground of old Martins
tremendous hair breadth stories-con-
cernlng the Injuns, the English men-of-war,
the troubles in the Revolution, and the
rise and progress, sir, of the first families
in New London. Young Martin at this
time was twenty-two-slight, pale, with
thin, fair hair and beardless chin but
be had kind, honest eyes, and strong,
manly voice Somehow, no one doubted
his good sense and good feeling. Those
who laughed at him, remembering his cid
whiting tricks, and his lolling against
door-posts, or on the fence, began to hear
and believe that he was something more
than lazy mechanic. Thcktown had ad-
vanced there was more work to do, and
1T was soon comprehended that young Mar
tim 50 bossed - old Martin. Abont this
time he added to his vocabulary of wonder
ful tales" What his son could do -
What they had thought on him when
they were obeeged to leave New London
at dead O. night. Martin was in such de-
mand-plague on them New Londoners ,
Amy also doled her praise day and night
She fitted from neighbor to nelghbor after
dark, like fat, gray owl, or stood at hel
porch door Of mornings clacking like a
motherly hen. :" AS good cretur as eve!
trod in shoe leather " was Martin She
told the man that came along with ounces
and fall turnips that she knew he wasn't
as pretty as picter, but the marrer on
him was good. When he had the scarlet
fever, she thought the Lord had called for
him; but she believed the warm baths had
saved him, though he was a runt of a
boy.
People were attracted by old Martin
manner He was strangely silent, yet he
appeared on the point OF bursting; he
wlnked and nodded went from store tc
store, moving his head from side to side,
and making mysterious grimaces, as il
some moment Was at hand whep every body
would be astonished. His secret was re
vealed the day the frame of new shop
was raised below the ship-yard on the
shore. How he trotted up and down the
one main street of Tacktown, where all tn
stores were, and all the horses tied, and
the oxen swinging through with thc
various loads
my son did that" he made everybody
hear, pointing to the frame. How New
London has missed it But, Lord, the,
couldn't keep him! And Tacktown i
going to be big place" Old Martin
spectacles were dim with pride and JOY.
Pooh, sir" he cried into anybody
face that was nearest, "I amt going t
give up yet. Martin. says he to me, say
be, " Father taint necessary for you to Civ
another blow to the anvil. Cut up you
leather apron to mend the jints in the be
house door, or the pig sty.' Bu. I'm a
capable as ever; | won't eat my son
, earnings yet"
( To describe Anny's satisfaction over tn
new shop would be impossibe-that nev
shop, with stone walls and belfry on top
She perspired with acute JOY, and wipe
her face till she believed she had the chips
No matter who went by she was ready
with the air Of an orator who fixes b
eyes on distant audience, she began an
continued, the motto in her mind, or rathe
its spirit, being that Martin must be
living remembrance to everybody.
Never did [ consider Martin fol-
rard child; but | amt surprised that b
should come out at the big end of the hor
at last. He amt bright and shnin
; light anywhere, but ha' massy, do thin
that there Edgar Williams can hold can
die to him for vartu and goodness to b
parents I?
The shop was flushed. Old Marti
tied on his apron daily, and hectored th
two apprentices with great comfort to hin
self. He knew in his heart Of hearts tha
young Martin was the king pin; but
solaced him to play at authority with tt
boys, and the country folks who came
1 the shop to have tire mended, or horS
, shod. What discourses on New Londc
: horse shoes he gave, hammer in hand an
the hind leg of a horse. Young Marti
! busted himself with greater things.
He was fortunate enough to please th
: first merchant in Tacktown, who had ha
his shop work done elsewhere till no,
= Chains, bolts, and all ships gear, he Ell
= gagged of young Martin, considering o
Martin doose1 fool, and quite in tt
, young mans way. But he was compelle'
: in spite of himself, to compare young Ma
: tins filial obedience with that of his ov
o son the gay Edgar Willis, the beau p'
}, excellence of Tacktown. Young Mart
l.. was not particularly respectful to his f
# ther in words, but perfectly so in feellr