Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-01-12
Gor Me ponna.
Waiting for the GrIst.

" III Is strange, SAID gentleman VINO SAL
nexf to me in the car, and with whom ! had
struck up quite an acquaintance, what an
influence look, word, or the little act Of
a perfect stranger will sometimes have upon
person"
eyes" said "more than any of us real
ize."
at was the simple act of stranger that
changed the whole course of my life"
"Indeed How so ?"
"When was boy, my father moved to
the then far west-Ohio. II was before the
days of steam, and no great mills Numbered
on her river banks, but occasionally there
was a little gristmill by the side Of some
small stream, and hither, whenever the wa.
ter was up, the whole neighborhood aocked
with their sacks of corn. First come, first
served Sometimes we had to wait two or
three days for our turn. | generally was
the one sent from our house, for while was
too small to be of much use on the farm,
was as good as man to carry grist to
mill. So | was not at all surprised one
morning when my father said, Henry, you
can get up old roam and go to mill to-day
Saunders mill was ten miles away but
had made the trip so often that it did not
seem far. / believe one becomes more at
tached to an old mill than to any other build
ing. can see Just how it looked as it stood
there under the syoamores, with its huge
wheel and rough clapboard sides.
When arrived, found the North Branch
| aud Rocky Fork folks there ahead of me,
and knew there was no hope of getting
home that day but | was not at all sorry,
for my basket was well filled with provi-
sons, and Mr.. Saunders always opened his
big barn for us TO sleep in so it was no un.
| H. IL L.
| grist. This time there was an addition to
the number that had been in the habit OF
gathering, from time to time, in the old
Saunders barn-a young fellow about my
own age, probably a little older. His name
was Charley Allen, aud his father had
bought farm over on the Brush Creek road
He was sociable and friendly, but instinc.
lively felt that he had more manners than
the rest of us. The evening was spent, as
usual, in relating coarse Jokes and playing
cards. Although ] was not accustomed tc
such things at home, had become so used
to it that it had long since ceased to shock
me, and indeed, was fast becoming very
interested spectator.
Well, boys, it is time for us fellers to g
to roost, said jim Finley, one of the great
est roughs on the Rocky Fork, as he threw
down his pack Of cards and began to un
dress. We all followed his example, al
though it was not much undressing we die
to sleep on the hay-mow; but we were s.
busy with our own affairs that we did no
notice Charley Allen until Jim exclaimed
Heydey we've got a parson here; W
hevP Charley was kneeling by the oat
bin, praying. Jim Finley's Jest met witt
no response. The silence was only met b,
!. the drowsy cattle below, and the twitterin,
. swallows overhead. More than one roug
, man wiped away tear from his eyes as h
! went silently to his bed on the hay. ha
always been in the habit of praying a
home, but never thought of such a thin
Saunders Mill. AS laid awake that nigh
: in the old barn, thinking of Charley Allen
courage, and what at an effect it had upol
the men, firmly resolved that in the futur
would do right. little thought how 500
my courage would be tested. Just afte
dinner got my grist and started for home
When | arrived at Albright's gate, where
turned off to so home, found the oil
squire waiting for me. | saw in momen
that something had gone wrong. had a
ways stood in the greatest awe OF the oil
gentleman because he was the rich man :
the neighborhood, and now | felt my hea
beginning to beat very fast. As soon as
came near he said, Did you go through til
gate yesterday ! could easily have
MED it. as it was before daylight when
went through, and quite as often went Il
other way. Charley Allen kneelng in Il
barn came to my mind like flash, and b
fore | had time to listen to the tempter
said, Yes, sir; did,
care you sure you shut and pinned Il
gate 2 he asked.
This question staggered me- | remen
bered distinctly that l did not. could pu
the pin out without getting off my hors
but could not put it in again; so car
lessly rode away and left it open.
"I-I-P-
"'Out with it tell just what you did +
/" / left it open,' said, abruptly.
"Well, you let the cattle in, and tn,
have destroyed all my early potatoes-a te
rible piece of businessp
"I'm very sorry, ID
"Talking won't help matters now; bl
remember, boy, remember that sorrow don
make potatoes-sorrow don't make potatoes
81 felt very badly about the matter, fl
was really sorry that the old gentlema
had lost his potatoes, and then | expecte
10 be severely reprimanded at home b.
soon found that they knew nothing of IL
matter, and after several days had passe
began TO rest quite easy. Alas LOT nuina
hopes one rainy afternoon | saw the squi
riding down the lane. ran off to the bar
ashamed to face him, and afraid to me
my father. They sat on the porch ar
talked for long time. At last my cul
osity overcame my fear, and l stole back
the house, and went into mothers room
see if | could hear what they were talkil
- about. why, the boy could be spar
well enough, but he don't know anythil
about the business said my father. The
is one thing he does know said the squil
at he knows how TO tell the truth. He thu
related the circumstances which | so nut
dreaded to have my father hear. After
had gone, my father called me to him, al
told me that the squire was going to start
'h store in the village, and wanted a boy
help, and that could go if wanted to.
went, and remained in the village store un
:, it blossomed out into a city store; and pr
, pie say that got my start in life when
entered Albright's store, but | will alwa
maintain that got it while | was waltz
for the grist."-Sunday-Sc Times.