The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-01-06
The SILVER TAsKaAn.

On slope of land opening itself to
the south, In new thickly-settled town
in the State of Maine, some hundred and
more years ago, stood farm house 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 par
italy cleared, full of pine stumps, and
here and there, standing erect, the giant
trunks of trees, which the fire had
scorched and blackened, though it had
failed to overthrow them.
The house stood at the very verge of
the settlement, so that from it no other
cottage could seen; the nearest neigh
Dor was distant about six miles. Daniel
Gordon, the owner AMI occupant of the
premises we have described, had chosen
this valley in the wilderness, wide,
rich tract of land, not only as his own
home, but, prospectively, as the home
of his children nj his children's chill
dren. 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 that part of the coun-
try. His house was completely finished,
and was large for the times, having two
storys in front and one behind, with a
long, slopng roof; it seemed as it it
leaned to the south, TO offer its back TO
the cold winds from the northern
mountains.
1t was full of the comforts OF life-the
furniture was little snowy for Puri-
tan, and when the table was set there
was, to use a Yankee phrase, consider
able silver plate, among which large
silver tankard stood pre-eminent. This
silver had been the property of his
father, and had been brought over from
the mother country.
Now we will go back to this pleasant
valley as it was on bright and beauti-
full 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 to the
Landing a little Village ON the banks of
the river, ten miles distant. Daniel
himself was standing at the door, with
the horse and chaise, ready and waiting
for his good wife, who had been some
what detained. He was standing at the
doorstep enjoying the freshness of the
morning, with a little pride in his heart,
perhaps, as he cast his eye over the ex-
tent OF his possessions spread before
him. At that instant a neighbor, of six
miles distance, rode up on horseback,
and beckoned to him from the gate of
the inclosure around the house.
"Good morning, neighbor Gordon"
said he. have come out of my way
in going to meeting to tell you that Tom
Smith-that daring thief-with two 9TH
ers, 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, bat they may be after your silver
tankard, neighbor. and the silver spoons.
/ have often told you that these things
were not fit for these new parts. Tom
is bold fellow, but suppose the fewer
he meets when he goes to steal the bet
ter. don't think it safe for you all to
be off to meeting to-day; but L am in a
hurry, neighbor, so good by"
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 Mehita-
BILE, q beautiful little girl about 3 years
old. Shall stay or go? was the ques-
ton. Daniel was a 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 I'M
finching. l will not even take Kitty
with me for twill make her cowardly.
The thieves may not come Neighbor
Perkins may be mistaken and il 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 Hin,
who never forsakes those who put their
trust in Him. As he settled thus. the
little girl and her mother stepped To
the chaise the father saying To the
child, Ii any strangers come, Hitty
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 oh-a troubled man, in spite
OF his religious trust; because he left
his daughter in the wilderness alone.
Little Kitty, IA the daughter of a
Puritan, was strictly brought up to OBJ
serve the Lords day. Sae knew that
she ought to return to the house, but
nature, for this once, at least, got the
better Of her training. " No hrm, y
thought she, ito see the brood OF chick
ems" Nor did she, when she had given
them some water, go into the house
but loitered anil fingered, hearing the
- 4 A.
the bob'lincoln, rs he Huttered from
shrub to shrub. She passed almost an
hour out of the house, because she did
not wish to be alone, and she did not
feel alone when she was out among the
birds, and was gathering here and there
a little wild flower. Bat at last she
went in, took her Bible and seated her
self ut the window, sometimes reading
and sometimes looking out
As she was there sested, she saw three
men coming mn toward the house. and