Section 151. RETURNED[1] KINDNESS.
Reading edition
Section 151. RETURNED[1] KINDNESS.
When (S. 4, N. 2) the country near[2] Albany was newly settled, a starving Indian came to the inn at Lichfield and asked for a night’s shelter and some supper, at[3] the same time confessing that, from[4] failure in hunting, he had nothing[5] to pay. The hostess drove him away with reproachful[6] epithets, and as the Indian was about (S. 6, N. 4) scornfully to retire,—there being (S. 30, N. 4) no other inn for[7] many a weary mile,—a[8] man, who was sitting by, directed the hostess to supply[9] his wants, and promised to pay her. As[10] soon as the Indian’s supper was ended, he thanked his benefactor, and said he would some day return his kindness. Several years thereafter[11] the settler was taken a prisoner by a hostile tribe, and carried off to (S. 72, N. 4) Canada. His life was spared[12], but he was detained in[13] slavery. One[14] day, however, an Indian came to him, and bade the captive follow him. The Indian never told where they were going, nor[15] what was his object; but day after[16] day the captive followed his mysterious guide, till one afternoon they came suddenly on[17] 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[18] had not yet recovered from his surprise and (S. 10, N. 9) amazement, the Indian exclaimed: “And I am the starving Indian, on whom, at this very place, you took[19] pity. And now that[20] I have repaid you, I pray you go home!”—Dr. Dwight.