Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-03-22
Storytelling.

More than thirty years ago there was a
little boy in Glasgow who was very fond
OF stories lie was accustomed 10 go in the
afternoon TO a neghbor's house, where
stories were told all around by boys like him
self There were stories told about robbers,
and stories about ghosts-foolish stories
And stories about poor boys who went to
rich London and became great men; and
stories about sailor boys who had been ship
wrecked and cast on desert islands in the
midst of the tumbling sea-fne stories II
was a very pleasant sight TO see the fire blaz-
ing on the hearth and the boys seated within
its light each telling his story in his turn.
The boy speak of would have been en-
tirely happy at that ircside, but for one lit
tie fear. In the street where he lived there
was a graveyard. His fathers house was
on one side, and the house where the stories
were told was on the other. To 90 back TO
his fathers house he had to pass this grave
yard, aud he was afraid TO pass that after
dark so he had to leave every evening be-
fore the stories we're ended Sometimes, in
the midst of very good story, he would be
seen turning his eyes TO the window, and
watching the darkening sky, as if he would
keep the night from coming on.
One day the boys happened to be alone in
the house. The stories were all fine, aud
the fire was warm, aud they all forgot that
the hours were passing away. The sun
went down; the sky grew dark nothing was
to be seen at the window but blackness,
But Just as they had reached the middle of
story there came a flash Of lightning from
the sky, and after that a peal OF thunder,
and then rain, thick and heavy. dashng
against the panes.
My little friend remembered the grave
yard in a moment, aud wished he were home
lie went to the door but the light of the
fire, as 1t fell forward across the street, made
the darkness seem more dark.
81 wish | were home" he said
lie was a timid little boy, and began tc
weep. He was afraid Of the dark night and
the relling thunder, but especially he wa'
afraid of the graveyard.
After long while he got courage to say
Keep the door open, aud cry after me till
am out OF hearing, and | will not be afraid.
The other boys agreed, and opened the doo
to let him out. But Just at that moment
there came another flash of lightning anC
another roll Of thunder, and he and they RAJ
back, and covered beside the fire.
" Come with me, some Of you" he nexi
said Is Come, two Of you; ! am afraid u
90 alone" But the other boys were very
little older than himself. And now they als'
were afraid, and they began to cry.
Eight O'Clock Nine
40, wish were at home Z"
Ten Aud still he is afraid To 90.
lIalfpast ten Eleven
" wish-l wish were at home"
lie went to the door n third time. III
still saw nothing but the black, wet night
lie cried more bitterly than before. lie erie,
as If his heart would break" wish
wish-I wish were at home"
While he was sobbing out these words
he saw star Of light twinkling through th
gloom II came nearer and nearer, and grew
bigger the nearer il came. Joy II wa
light from his fathers house His brother
carrying a lantern, had come 10 bring hin
home II was as il daylight had come bacl
again. His crying was at AN end his tear
were dried up. lie became bold as a lion
The fear of the graveyard went away, and h
stepped out into the darkness with a smil
! on his face. His brother cds By his side, AM
the light OF his brothers lantern would ligh
him home
! Now Christ does for His dying brother
, aud sisters Just what this boys brother die
for him. lie comes for them, with lgh
from their Fathers house, and takes then
: 10y the hand TO lead them home.
Our life upon the earth is like the story
telling Of these boys. We are all story-tell
ers, telling our stories TO each other. TIL,
hour of death comes to bring our story-tell
ing to an eLd. Suddenly we find that tn
day Of life is spent. The sun goes down
, The night comes up. We cannot remain OF
the green earth, and beside the ruddy fire
any longer o, ii is pleasant in that hour
it dries up all our sorrows-when the Eide
Brother is seen by the soul OF the dying on'
coming from the home In the sky,-Dr 4
J Macleod.
So YOUNG" Mamma" said a thought
full youngster, show old shall | be mex
birthday ?" Six, my son, ii you live
"Wel suppose don't live, can't go righ
on having birthdays like George Washing
. | ION ~ Snme older hnYa Mnull ike 10 LaYl