Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-06-29
wATCHMAN WEDNESDAY, 90 1s

most to his hands, looking all the time on
the floor. Another, a younger and better
looking man, stood COMPOUNDED and irre5o-
lutte, as il he had not been well broken into
his trade; and often would he go to the win
dow and look out, keeping his back to the
child. Smith, on the other hand, looked un-
concerned, as If he had quite forgotten his
purpose. lie never once took his attention
off the child, following her with his eye as
she hustled about in arranging the dinner
table; there was even half smile on his
face. They all moved to the table, Smiths
chair at the head one of his companions on
each side the child at the foot, standing
there to help her guests, and to be ready to
go for further supplies as there was need.
The men ate as hungry men, almost In
silence, drinking occasionally from the silver
tankard. When they had done, Smith
started up suddenly, and said, Come let's
CO." "What ?" exclaimed the older rob
Der, Ego with empty hands when this silver
is here =" He seized the tankard. "Put
that down." shouted Smith "I'll shoot the
man who takes single thing from this
house." Poor Kitty at once awoke to
sense of the character Of her guests with
terror in her face, and yet with childlike
| frankness, she ran to Smith, took hold OF his
hand, and looked into his face, as If she felt
sure that he would take care of her.
The old thief, looking TO his young COM
panion, and finding he was ready to give up
the job, and seeing that Smith was resolute,
put down the tankard, growing like dog
which has had bone taken from him.
Fool catch me in your company again p"
and with such expressions left the house
followed by the other. Smith put his hand
on the head of the child and said, "Don't
be afraid stay quiet in the house; nobody
shall hurt you"
Thus ended the visit of the thieves.
Thus God preserved the property Of those
who had put their trust in him. What
story had the child to tell when the family
came home How hearty was the thanks
giving that went up that evening from the
family altar
A year or two after this, poor Tom Smith
was arrested for the commission OF some
crime, was tried, and sentenced to be exc
cuted. Daniel Gordon heard of this, and
that he was confined in Jail in the seaport
town, to wait for the dreadful day when he
he was to be hung up like dog between
heaven and earth. Gordon could not keep
away from him. He felt drawn to him for
the protection of his daughter, and went
down to see him. When he entered the
uuIgeOI, DulJu WAS Stdteu HIS Lace was
pale, his hair tangled and matted together
for why should he care for his looks
There was no other expression in his coun
tenance than that of irritation from being
intruded upon, when he wanted to hear
nothing, see nothing more of his brother
man. He did not rise, nor even look up,
nor return the salutation of Gordon, who
continued to stand before him. At last as
if wearied beyond endeavor, he asked,
What do you want of me Can't you let
me alone even here ?"
al come" said Gordon, " to see you, be-
cause my daughter told me all you did for
her when you -"
AS if touched to the heart, Smiths whole
appearance changed; an expression of deep
interest came over his features he was al
together another man. The sullen indiffer-
ence passed away in an instant "Are you
the father of that little girl Oh, what
dear child she is Is she well and happy
How | love to think of her That's one
pleasant thing have to think Of. For once
| was treated like other men. Could kiss
her once, think | should be happier" In
this hurried manner he poured out an inten-
sity of feeling little supposed to lie in the
bosom of condemned felon.
Gordon remained with Smith, whispered
to him of peace beyond the grave for the
penitent, smoothed in some degree his pas
sage through the dark valley, apd did not
return to his family until Christian love
could do no more for an erring brother, on
whom scarcely before had the eye of love
rested; whose hand had been against all
men, because their hands had been against him.
have told the story more at length, and
interviewer some unimportant circumstances,
but it is before you substantially as it was
related to me. The main incidents are true
though, doubtless, as the story has been
handed down from generation to generation,
it has been colored by the Imagination. The
silver tankard, as an heirloom, has descended
in the family-the property of the daughter
named Mehitable, and is now in the posses
sion of clergyman's wife in Massachusetts,.
-Selected.