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In this truly judicious and practical Christian way, with attentions given to the spiritual rather than to the merely physical, perishing, and temporal nature of things, Mrs. Siddleton daily held communications with the paupers that were under her roof. She gave them line upon line, precept upon precept, and evinced a very intimate knowledge of the Word of Truth; and so she was regarded in town as a very exemplary, wise, and Christian guardian for the poor folks. But they, the paupers, while they heard her instructions, and received into their minds the comforting words of Scripture, which she, again and again, informed them were for their special support and consolation -- "to the poor the Gospel is preached "-- found themselves often condoling in heart with unhappy "Esau, who, for one morsel of meat, sold his birthright! "

CHAPTER XXXII.
THE Paupers at Auction. To many a one there is a charm in the very sound of the word "Auction." And so at auction decent people often buy those goods they neither need nor really desire. But they find a comfort in having bought them "low -- at auction!" Much good may they do them. Rag, Tag and Bobtail, are often bolted off with Good, Better, Best, at the Sales: so one bids off the former for the sake of the latter. When one takes lot All of the Town's Chattels, he of course takes the good and the bad. Contrary to the usual flotion, however, the good paupers in such a trade are, the weak-ready-to-die-off class; the bad, the healthy, strong, good-livers! Kind Providence! save thou us and ours from this block.

Early in the fall every year there is held the public, or town-meeting, to hear the report of the selectmen, and of all the other officers of the town. Then also, accounts are examined, new officers are elected, money is appropriated, a customary tax is voted for the expenses of the year, and all other business is done that circumstances seem to call for. Such a meeting came off in Crampton.

Esq. Ben Stout was appointed moderator of the meeting, an office he would not have failed of for the best coat he ever wore, one of which he was always sure when party lines run at all close, but which he sometimes declined, after having been appointed, for the gratification of some personal friend. On the present occasion the Squire said that he would willingly serve the town as chairman, for he had so long been made to occupy that position, one ever gratifying to his ambition, that he probably knew as well as -- most -- men -- (not all) among them what was wanted, and doing, he could -- he -- presumed, facilitate the business before the public, and so procure an early adjournment. But he regretted to say it -- he said it with reluctance -- he was growing old! His sight, his hearing, his activity, were not as formerly. He regretted to say these things. It was much to the mortification of his mind -- anxious as he was "to serve and oblige his fellow-citizens." The people all looked straight at him. Most of them had their hats on, and were standing in groups upon the floor of the Town Hall. Some of them were aged, gray-haired men; lame and feeble others; a large portion men of middle age, strong and healthy. They looked, we say, straight at him. Then they looked at each other, and some renewed their tobacco; others passed round their snuff-boxes. A few whispered and smiled, and said -- "The old Squire isn't going to give it up, is he?"

"Oh! no, ha! ha! He's on the old track now!"

"He'll come up directly," said one.

The people kept quiet, looking straight at him, as we have already said twice.

The Squire at this point took snuff from Charles Caldwell, Esq.'s box, kindly held out, and concluded as follows:

"But -- my fellow townsmen -- (heigho! ) it has never been my way of life to cringe for a little pain, or to shirk off responsibility. If, in the judgment of my fellow citizens who have given me their flattering suffrages, not only as their chairman and moderator of this meeting, but often as their representative in the legislative halls of the State -- if, I repeat it, they in their judgment deem me yet serviceable to them -- "

"I told you so," said the speaker just referred to.

"Oh, yes," said the first speaker; "the Squire is always 'this side up.'"

"He is on the gaining tack now you see," said the second speaker.

"And especially if they demand it by their vote, I will wave my own preferences and most heartfelt desires, and to the best of my abilities serve them now and as long as I live!"

A tremendous "hurrah!" followed this extraordinary good hit of the Squire's, and that gentleman never before entered on a public duty of this nature with a more decidedly genuine feeling of personal gratification.

The Squire called for the reading of the town records of last meeting, then in order called up the other business -- the reports of selectmen, overseers of the poor, town listers, grand jury reports, school society's report, and listened to debates on this, that, and the other matter, as they were offered, with a clear head and an impartial mind, presiding as usual with dignity and firmness.