Sharp County record., 1878-03-22
A STORY FOR BOYS.

Peletiah Perritts Youthful Catastrophe.
Our misfortunes are sometimes angels
in disguise, but they are not always so
appareled. tranquility under aillic-
ton can not be commanded in every
event of life, however necessary it may
be on all occasions to strive after that
eQuanimity which becomes a man or
woman, no matter how severe the pres
ent trial Of patience and fortitude.
Listen to the unhappy story of Peletiah,
son of Orrin X. Perritt, of South Little
ton, as related by himself.
"In the remembrance Of some sor-
rows, whatever the duration of life, we
never outgrow ourselves. Whenever |
attempt to recall the incidents in my
somewhat exceptional career, one par
ticular day Of my existence rises up be-
fore me, and will not be forgotten, or
even lightened Of its burden of pain.
With shame and confusion | look back
on the past, for that one terrible day of
gloom Overshadows my career, and OBJ
scures the sunny hours that in the
course of nature come at intervals to ey-
cry male and female descendant Of
Adam. I can think with calmneSs,
even with Indifference, of many sad cir
cumstances that have befallen my lot
circumstances full of peril and horror
but that particular disaster to which |
refer has blotted out all feeling with re-
gard to other scenes, that might, dis
connected from my grand catastrophe,
have darkened lifetime. Oh that |
had died young, while yet q stranger to
public modification; d modification to
embrace the strongest nerves, and make
the stoutest courage quail.
"The day of my calamity 40 years ago,
dawned like many another day in ripe
October. The morning that ushered in
the Sunday on which was to suffer,
was one of radiant loVeliness, and as |
walked along to our modest little house
of worship in the country, all the trees
seemed hanging out their bowers of
beauty. How well | recall that scene of
surprising brilliancy, on that gorgeous
autumn morning! [ had started early,
that might move slowly over the road,
and, alIured by the splendid lights and
shadows, | made a detOur of over mile
beyond the church, in the direction of a
beautiful hillside, on one of whose slopes
resided my fathers lifelong friend,
'Col. 'Bijah Peabody as he was uni
versally denominated in that part of the
country.
"The Colonel was standing by his
garden-gate, enjoying the still serenity
of that peaceful Sunday morning. His
pipe rested between his lips, and emitted
only at moderate intervals a gentle puff
of smoke. Seeing me approaching from
the woody roadside, he looked a hearty
welcome, and exclaimed
"'Glads to see yet Peletiah! How's
your father an all the folks to homeP
81 answered his kindinquiry, and de-
clined his earnest invitation to walk
in, as | was hurrying to the meeting
house for morning service.
"'Well, said the old man, 'the least
ye can do is to take long couple bot
ties of my best cider to your father, who
is laid up to home with roomatizum.'
"Now if there was one liquid in the
world that father hankerea after when
he did not feel exactly smart it was
the Colonel's bottled cider in October,
for he said 'Peabody's was better than
his'n or any body else's cider in the
whole country
"At first | hesitated about taking
along the delectable fluid, for should
have to convey it in my coat-tail pock-
cts to church with me, and elude, as
best I might, the vigilant eyes of Dea-
con Treadwell and old Miss Patience
Libby, both of whom sat in full sight of
our pew.
"However, when the Colonel, who
saw my reluctant response to his invi-
tation, exclaimed, Don't be proud,
Peletiah!' | hastily pocketed the cider,
and thinking of fathers prospective de-
light over it at dinner-time, moved for
ward with alaerity over the hillside to
meeting.
"The bell had ceased tolling when
arrived at the door, but l waited out
side until after the first prayer, aud
then glided noiselessly on my to6g
into our family pew. My brothel,
and sister had already taken theij
seats, leaving my place unoccul
pied against my arrival. Mother
remained at home to keep our dear Old
father company in his suffering, a0d
read the most comforting chalGer,ln
the Bible to him during his WORST par
oxysms. My long walk had Predisposed
me to Slumber, but ST yOd sp as usual
in singing time,' cutting IA with full
force when we to And that shall
kindle ours, in the proper place for the
tenor voices | heard the minister give
out his text, and followed him into his
6 secondly, when my mind wandered,
and prejudiced individual would prob
ably have charged me with being asleep.
1 reused myself wariiy, however, chew
ed bis of fennel, and put on look of
intense satisfaction with the discourse.