St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-03-01
A STORY OF THE FRONTIER.
How a Missionary Box was Received I'm
tho Northwest.


The weather was unusually cold, our
salary had not been regularly paid,
and it did not meet our needs when it
was. My husband was away travelling
from one district to another much of
the time.
Our boys were we'll, but my little
Ruth was ailing, and at best none of us
were decently clothed. l patched and
repatched with spirits sinking to their
lowest ebb. The water gave out in
the well, and the wind blew through
the cracks of the floor.
The people in the parish were kind
and generous, too, but the settlement
was new and each family was strug-
Cling for itself. Little by little, at the
time when l needed most, my faith be-
gan to waver. Early in life / was
taught to take God at his word, and
thought my lesson was we'll learned.
| had lived upon the promises in dark
times, until knew as David did, who
was "nly Fortress and Deliverer." Now
a daily prayer for forgiveness was all
that l could offer.
My husbands OvercOat was hardly
thick enough for October, and he was
obliged to ride miles to attend some
meetings or funerals. Many time
our breakfast was Indian cake and a
cup of tea without any sugar. Christ
mas was coming; the children always
expected their presents. l remember
the ice was thick and smooth, and the
boys were each craving pair of
skates. -
Ruth, in some unaccOuntable way,
had taken fancy that the dolls l had
made were no longer suitable; she
wanted a large nice one, and insisted
on praying for it. l knew it was i'm
possible but oh, how | wanted to give
each child it's present. 1t seemed as if
God had deserted us, but l did not tell
my husband all this. He worked so
earnestly and heartily l supposed him
to be hopeful rs ever.
l kept the sitting room CHEEKY with
an open fire, and tried to serve our
scanty meals as invitingly as l could.
The morning before Christmas James
was called to see sick man. [ put up
piece of bread for his lunch,-it was
the best could dO,-wrapped plaid
shawl around his neck, and then tried
to whisper a promise, as l often had,
but the words died away on my lips.
let him go without it. That was a
dark, hopeless day. | coaxed the
children to bed early, for could not
bear their talk. When Ruth went |
listened to her prayer she asked for
the last time most explicitly for her
doll and for skates for her brothers.
Her bright face looked so lovely when
she whispered to me :-"You know
think they'll he here early tomorrow
morning early, mamma" that
thought | could move heaven and
earth to save her from the disappOint
ment.
sat down alone and gave way to
the bitterest tears.
Before long James returned, chilled
and exhausted. He drew off his boots;
the thin stockings slipped off with
them, and his feet were red with cold.
L wouldn't treat dog that way, let
alone faithful servant. Then as l
glanced up and noticed the hard lines
in his face, and the look of despair, it
flashed across me. James had let go,
too! | brought him cup of tea, feel
ing sick and dizzy at that very thought.
He took my hand and we sat for an
hour without word. l wanted to die
and meet God, and tell him his prom
Use wasn't true; my soul was so full of
rebellious despair.
There came a sound of bells, quick
stop, and loud knock at the door.
James sprang up to open it. There
stood Deacon Pike. GA box came for
you by express just before dark. |
brought it around as soon as | could
get away reckoned it might be for
Christmas, at any rate they shall have
it tonight. Here is a turkey my wife
sent along, and these other things | be-
lieve belong to you" There was
basket of potatoes and a bag of -four.
Talking all the time, he hurried in the
box, and then with ii hearty good night
rode away. Still without speaking,
James found chsel and opened the
box. | drew out at first thick red
blanket, and we saw that beneath was
full of clothing. 1t seemed at that
moment us if Christ fastened upon me
Il look of reproach. James sat down
and covered his face with his hands.
81 can't touch Them" he exclaimed,
81 haven't been true just when God
was trying me to see if | could hold
out. Do you think | could not see
how you were suffering, and l had no
word of comfort to offer. l know now
how to preach the awfulness of turn
ing away from God" "James," L said,
clinging to him, ''don't take it to heart
like this. I've been to blame ought
to have helped you. We will ask him
together to forgive u.s." "Wait mo-
ment, dear, | cannot talk now," then
he went into another room. L knelt
down, and my heart broke in an in
slant all the darkness, all the stubborn
ness rolled away. Jesus came again
and stood before me, but now with the
loving word, Daughter Sweet promi-
SEES of tenderness and joy flooded my
soul, l was so lost in praise and graft
tude that / forgot everything else. |
don't know how long it was before
James came back, but | knew that he
too had found peace.
"Now, dear wife," said he, s"let US
thank God together" and then he
poured out words of praise; Bible
words, for nothing else could express
our thanksgiving. 1t was eleven
o'clock, the fire was low, and there was
the great box, and nothing touched but
the warm blanket we needed 80 much.
We piled on some fresh logs, lighted
two candles, and began to examine our
treasures. We drew out an overcoat,
l made James try it on, just the right
size, and danced awhile around him,
for all my light-heartedness had re-
turned. Then there was a cloak, and
he insisted on seeing me in it, My
spirits always infected him, and we
both laughed like foolish children.
There was warm suit of clothes also,
and three pairs of warm wooden hose.
There was dress for me, and yards of
flannel, pair of Arctic overshoes for
each of us, and in mine was slip of
paper-I have it now and mean to !
hand If down tn NV childrap Il xras