Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-01-04
CHAPTER ".
Not found in the Shapiro Manuscript

1t came to pass in those days that it
entered into the heads of certain OF
they that dwelt in the town Lunen-
burgh, that they should band them
selves together, to the end that they
might have to themselves Library,
which should be called Circulating.
The books whereof they should read,
and thereby have pleasure and get
wisdom, turning their minds from the
foolishness Of seeking after the matters
OF those that dwell by them.
Now the thing seemed good in the
eyes of many, and they gathered them
selves together, both old men and ma
irons, young men and maidens.
And, forasmuch as there were many
young men and maidens in the place,
the band was called "Young Peoples
Library Association"
And they made laws by the which
they should be governed, and they. al
so chose officers to rule over them.
Even George, a disciple OF Escula-
Plus, they made chief ruler and Karl,
of the house of jeremiah, son of
George, the son of Adm, they made
second in authority.
And their chief councillors they made
Julia, of the house of William, Eta
the daughter of Nathan, and William
the son OF Franklin.
And they made Nettie, Of the house
Of Franklin, their scribe, who also
kept the treasure.
Now when the inhabitants of this
place saw what was done, it rejoiced
the hearts of some, and they gave glad
ly of their store, and some lent goodly
books.
And there was one young man, even
Elwyn, the son of William the Judge,
who had journeyed to q far country.
when it was told to him, rejoic ed, and
said, :" The thing is good, Verify they
shall take of my books which are with
Cnem III IunenDufSn.
And they did SO. And there were in
all about fourscore volumes. And
they brought the books to Julia, of the
house called Heights, and made her
keeper over them that they might not
be destroyed.
Now there was in those days a GER
tain lawyer, whose maine was Frank,
the son of Sprague, whose surname
was Hale. And he made a lecture, the
gain whereof he gave to the Library.
Now Frank was a man OF many
words, and his speech pleased the peo-
pie; insomuch, they who heard it not,
because of the dime of silver which he
required, said unto him:
"Tell us now those pleasant words
OF thine we will hear thee gladly
without money and without price, but
we would not that any of our sub
stance be given to the Library"
And after some days, one George,
the son of Joseph, being sweet sing
err, led the Inaidens and the men of
war who were musicians, while they
pleased the people that were assembled
with war songs and with instruments,
by which concert there was great gain
to the library,
Then all the jewellers in the land,
whose names were enrolled in the book
Of the Library, gave every one a piece
OF silver of the fourth degree, and a
nickel for each evening whereon they
assembled themselves together to
please each other with songs and
words of wisdom.
So Nettie, the scribe, held much
treasure, even about twenty-five pieces
OF silver of the largest sort.
Then they that were appointed
thereto, took council together and
chose the books that were most to ne
desired, even books of "Chronicles "
which were written of old time, and
pleasant tales which have seemed good
in the eyes OF them that are wise in
such things.
And they sent the treasure to the
great city, to a maker of books, and
bought Herewith near threescore vol
umes.
So that there were many books, the
reading whereof might turn the hearts
of the people to wisdom.
Now there arose a great division
among the people, even as there was
aforetime, and some said one thing
and some another.
And when the Elders of the congre-
CATION heard what was done, the
thing displeased them, and they spake
one to another. saying:
"What thing is this Library1 Are
we not sufficient to teach our children
Such a thing has not been heard
among us, 10 these many years! Shall
the children be wiser than their Faith
ers? Who are the upholders OF this
thing1 Are they not even the Publ
cans and the Sinners Verify there is
no good in it. We will withhold from
it our substance and our countenance,
and, Of u surety, the thing shall come
to naught."
And some bare false witness, saying:
X" The young people of the Library
have spoken very bitterly against us,
and refuse to have with them any of /
the Elders, for they desire that which
is not good" /