A Scotch Highlander was taken prisoner by a tribe of Indians; his life
was about to be sacrificed, when the chief adopted him as his son. They
carried him into the interior; he learnt their language, assumed their
habits, and became skillful in the use of their arms. After a season the
same tribe began their route to join the French army, at that time
opposed to the British. It was necessary to pass near to the British
lines during the night. Very early in the morning, and it was spring,
the old chief roused the young Highlander from his repose: he took him
to an eminence, and pointed out to him the tents of his countrymen. The
old man appeared to be dreadfully agitated, and there was a keen
restlessness in his eye. After a pause--"I lost," said he, "my only son
in a battle with your nation; are you the only son of your father? And
do you think that your father is yet alive?" The young man replied, "I
am the only son of my father, and I hope that my father is yet alive."
They stood close to a beautiful magnolia in full blossom. The prospect
was grand and enchanting, and all its charms were crowned by the sun,
which had fully emerged from the horizon. The old chief, looking
steadfastly at his companion, exclaimed: "Let thy heart rejoice at the
beauty of the scene! To me it is as the desert; but you are free; return
to your countrymen, revisit your father that he may again rejoice when
he sees the sun rise in the morning, and the trees blossom in the
spring!"
1037
Little acts of kindness are stowed away in the heart, like bags of
lavender in a drawer, to sweeten every object around them.
1038
A good man that has done a kindness never proclaims it, but does another
as soon as he can; much like the vine which is satisfied by being
fruitful in its kind, and bears a bunch of grapes without expecting
thanks for it.
1039
There's no dearth of kindness
In this world of ours;
Only in our blindness
We gather thorns for flowers.
--_Gerald Massey._
1040
Money can be repaid--
Not kindness such as yours.
--_Shakespeare._
1041
_Returned Kindness._--When the country near Albany was newly settled, an
Indian came to the inn at Lichfield, and asked for a night's shelter, at
the same time confessing that from failure in hunting he had nothing to
pay. The hostess drove him away with reproachful epithets, and as the
Indian was retiring sorrowfully,--there being no other inn for many a
weary mile,--a man who was sitting by directed the hostess to supply his
wants, and promised to pay her. As soon as his supper was ended, the
Indian thanked his benefactor, and said he would some day repay him.
Several years thereafter the settler was taken a prisoner by a hostile
tribe, and carried off to Canada. However, his life was spared, though
he himself was detained in slavery. But one day an Indian came to him,
and giving him a musket, bade the captive follow him. The Indian never
told where they were going, nor what was his object; but day after day
the captive followed his mysterious guide, till one afternoon they came
suddenly on a beautiful expanse of cultivated fields, with many houses
rising amongst them. "Do you know that place?" asked the Indian. "Ah,
yes--it is Lichfield!" and whilst the astonished exile had not recovered
his surprise and amazement, the Indian exclaimed--"And I am the starving
Indian on whom at this very place you took pity. And now that I have
paid for my supper, I pray you go home!"
--_Dr. Dwight._
1042