Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-08-04
BRATTLEBORO, VT, FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 1876.

gently upon this group, the sacred figures
seem 10 have all the supreme finish of mar
ble--nay more, they appear to live
So thought the good mother Ameken, as
on the appointed day, one year from The
time when she had sent forth her child in
to the world to give his genius scope, and
to escape from his hard-hearled father, she
led the feeble and now quite subdued old
Kammerick into 81. Andrews church. AS
the couple came in view of the pulpit,
memories, endearng and solemn, came TO
them the spectres of their vanished youth
rose up before them, not in mocking shape,
but as good spirits, come to cheer them on
the path of life. Old Jan remembered how
he had seen the fair maiden standing near
the pulpit, with her hands folded, aud her
eyes closed in prayer, and how he had
sworn TO win her for his wife.
At that moment tLere was joyful cry
from the mother, and young Jan, wonder
fully improved in voice, in manner, andin
health, rushed into her arms. A hundred
kisses and half hundred words sufflced
for them; for the good little mother had
kept herself informed of all her sons prog
ress, through the medium OF old Gasker
Wilems. But the father was astonished
beyond measure. He stepped back, trem-
bling; and shading his eyes with his hands,
he looked long at the youth.
"Hey day, son p he said 1--WE thought
we had lost you'll But here you are back
again, and no word Of repentance2"
Father" said the youth, ~ bring you
peace Offering"
Just then Gaskcr Willems came hob
bling up, bearing large box, which he
placed upon the cathedral floor. Young
Jan opened it, and toox from it piece of
wood carving.
"QuicklyI T. said Gasker Willems, afler
he had been greeted; "look at this before
the beadle sees US, for it is time when
many stroll into the church. Quickly, and
then let us all go to my house."
Young Jan stepped TO point near the
pulpit, where the light still fell with some
sharpness, and held up the carving. Then
tue astonished parents saw that II was an
exact reproduction, on a tiny scale, but
done with surprising finish, Of the pulpit
before which they stood at that instant.
iature pulpit stood a maiden, with eyes
downcast, and hands folded in prayer; and
near her, watching her reverenlly, with
parted lips aud expectant air, was a brave
young bargeman, exactly like those one
may see every day on the Scheldt. In this
carving old Jan and his wife saw the story
of their first meeting told, as the mother
had so often told it to her sou.
Father" said the youth, "this, and au-
other like it, have been my years work.
The fellow TO this has been sold 10 prince
for a large sum Of money; and the prince
wishes 10 help me to study until can help
myself more. But l shall not need him
and neither mothernor you will ever work
more, for the princes bounty with my ru-
ture work, will be enough for us all. Fa-
ther, will you take my oifering?"
Old Jan bowed his head and took the
carving. lie set it down upon the cathedral
floor, and took his son TO his arms.
81 was an old BRUTE" he said; show did
ever become such scoundrel."
On the way to Gasker Willem's, where
the party took supper, the good mother
told the husband of her stfatagem 10 help
her child. Old Jan said but this: "a good
" ile is GOOD thing; but have not merit
ed oner'
Gasker Willems, who was bringing up
he rear with the carving in his arms, said :
Say, rather, that you have merited moth
ing, like the rest Of us but that God Is
good, and moves in mysterious ways; and
that your tough heart could only have been
suitened by the strataGem which He sent
into the mothers mindP'
"Well, well" said old Jan, 81 must try
and get grace enough TO thank Him proper
ly.'-,SI. Nicholas.