Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-06-29
The Silver Tankard.


south, in a now thickly-settled town in the
state of Maine, some hundred and more
years ago, stood farmhouse to which the
epithet comfortable" might be applied
The old forest came down to the back of it
in front were cultivated fields; beyond
which was ground partially cleared, full Of
pine stumps, and here and there, standing
erect, the giant trunks of trees, which the
fire had scorched and blackened, though il
had failed to overthrow them. The house
stood at the very verge of the settlement, sc
that from it no other cottage could be seen
the nearest neighbor was distant about six
miles. Daniel Gordon, the owner and oc
cupant of the premises we have described
had chosen this valley in the wilderness, a
wide, rich tract of land, not only as his own
home, but, prospectively, as the home of his
children and his children's children. He
was willing to be far off from men, that his
children might have room to settle around
him. He was looked upon as the rich man
of that district, well known over all that
part of the country. His house was com,
pletely finished, and was large for the times,
having two stories in front and one behind,
with long, sloping roof; it seemed as If it
leaned to the south, to offer its back to the
cold winds from the northern mountains.
IL was lull vi tDt VI lllc-bht
ture even little Snowy" for Puritan
and when the table was set there was, to
use Yankee phrase considerable silver
plate, among which large tankard stood
pre-eminent. This silver had been the prop
erty of his father, and had been brought
over from the mother country.
Now we will go back to this pleasant val.
ley as it was on bright and beautiful
morning in the month of June. 1t was
Sunday; and though early, the two sons of
Daniel Gordon and the hired man had gone
to meeting, on foot down to the Landing"
little village on the banks of the river, ten
miles distant. Daniel himself was stand
ing at the door, with the horse and chaise,
ready and waiting for his good wife, who
had been somewhat detained. He was
standing at the doorstep enjoying the fresh
ness of the morning, with little pride in
his heart, perhaps, as he cast his eye over
the extent Of his possessions spread before
him. At that instant neighbor, of six
miles distance, rode up ON horseback, and
beckoned to him from the gate of the enclo.
sure around the house.
"Good morning, neighbor Gordon" said
he. a. have come out of my way in going
to meeting to tell you that Tom Smith.
that daring thief-with two others, have
been seen prowling about in these parts, and
that you had better look out lest you have
visit. have got nothing in my house to
bring them there, but they may be after
your silver tankard, neighbor, and the silver
spoons. l have often told you that these
things were not fit for these new parts.
Tom is bold fellow, but l suppose the
fewer he meets when he goes to steal the
better. ] don't think it safe for you all to
beoff to meeting to-day; but am in hurry,
neighbor, so goodbye"
This communication placed our friend
Daniel in an unpleasant dilemma. 1t had
been settled that no one was to be left at
home but his daughter Mehitable, beauti-
full little girl about nine years old. Shall /
stay or go ? was the question. Daniel was
Puritan he had strict notions of the duty
of worshiping God in his temple, and he
had faith that God would bless him only as
he did his duty; but then he was father,
and little Kitty was the light and joy of
his eyes.
But these Puritans were stern and uu-
fiiDching. He soon settled the point. |
won't even take Kitty with me for twill
make her cowardly. The thieves may not
come; neighbor Perkins may be mistaken
and if they do come to my house they will
not hurt that child. At any rate, she is in
Gods hands; and we will go to worship
him, who never forsakes those who put their
trust in him. As he settled this, the little
girl and her mother stepped to the chaise
the father saying to the child, I" If any
strangers come, Kitty, treat them well. We
can spare of our abundance to the poor.
What is silver and gold, when we think of
Gods holy Word 2" With these words on
his lips he drove off-a troubled man, in
spite of his religious trust because he left
his daughter in the wilderness alone.
Little Kitty, as the daughter of Puritan,
was strictly brought up to observe the
Lords day. She knew that she ought TO re-
turn to the house, but nature, for this once,
at least, got the better of her training "No
HARM" thought she, to see the brood of
chickens" Nor did she, when she had
given them some water, go into the house ;
but loitered and fingered, hearing the robin
sing, and following with her eye the bob
lincoln, as he fitted from shrub to shrub.
She passed almost an hour out of the house,
because she did not want to be alone, and
she did not feel alone when she was out
among the birds, and was gathering here
and there little wild flower But at last
she went in, took her Bible and seated her.
self at the window, sometimes reading and
sometimes looking out.
As she was there seated, she saw three men
coming up toward the house, and she was
right glad TO see them for she felt lonely,
and there was dreary long day before her,
Father" thought she, "meant something
when he told me to be kind to strangers.
suppose he expected them. | wonder what
keeps them all from meeting. Never mind
they shall see ] can do something, if am
little Kitty" So, putting down the Bible
she ran to meet them, happy, confidng, and
even glad that they had come. She called
to them to come; and, without waiting fol
them 10 speak, she called to them TO come
in with her, and said, " | am all alone; il
mother was here she would do more for you
but | will do all | cam" aud all this with
frank, loving heart, glad TO do good t.
others, and glad to please her father, who's,
last words were, TO spare of their abundance
TO the weary traveller.
Smith and his two companions entered
Now it was neither break fast-time nor din
ner-time, but about halfway between both
yet little Hitty's head was full of the direc
ton, "Spare OF our abundance" and almos
before they were fairly in the house, sh
asked if she should give them something t.
eat. Smith replied, Yes, will thank You
my child, for we are all hungry" This was
indeed, civil speech for the thief who
half-starved, had been lurking in the wood
to watch his chance to steal the silver tank
ard, as soon as the men-folks had gone b
meeting. "Shall give you cold victuals
or will you wait till | can cook some meat 2
asked Kitty. ave can't wait" was the r,
ply; "give us what you have ready, as 500
as you can" 81 am glad you do not wan
me to cook for you-but would do it if 70
did-because father would rather not hay
much cooking on Sundays" Then ava
she tripped about, making her preparation
for their repast Smith himself helped he
out with the table. She spread upon it,
clean, white cloth, and placed upon it til
silver spoons and the silver tankard full
"old orchard" as was the custom in thos
days, with a large quantity of wheate
bread and dish of cold meat | don
know why the silver spoons were put on
perhaps little Kitty thought they made tn
table look prettier. After all was done, sh
turned to Smith, and, with courtesy tol
him that dinner was ready. The child ha
been so busy in arranging her table, and (
thoughtful OF housewifery, that she too
little or no notice of the appearance an
manners OF her guests. She did the wor
as cheerily and freely, and was as unemba
raised, as If she had been surrounded by b.
father and mother and brothers. One
the thieves sat down doggedly, with h
hands on his knees, and his face down