, and cruel in New York,
to the capital of Vermont. And he felt the change for the better,
sensibly, in quitting the birthplace of "Millerism," and going into a
comparatively enlightened region. He thought there were, as he said,
some gentlemen and ladies here in Vermont; but he could never see one of
either species, properly so called, where he lately lived. The truth
was, Mr. Clarke, his present employer, was a well-bred, full-blooded
Yankee; and though his notions of Catholicity were such as he gleaned
from the rabid discourses of half-educated preachers, and a few
anti-Popery tracts which he read, his gentle and noble mind could not
sanction for an instant any thing like persecution on account of
religion. Hence, besides the favorable impression which the talents of
Paul made on him, he considered it time to show him some kindness, to
compensate for the ill treatment he underwent under the machinations of
Parson Gulmore and Amanda Prying, and their clerical associates.

"Paul," said Mr. Clarke, on Saturday night, at supper, "I am glad you
are beginning to like this part of the country. I will endeavor to
convince you that all America is not like your late home in York: all
parsons are not like Mr. Gulmore, whose conduct in regard to your
letters I cannot sufficiently condemn; nor are all young ladies of the
same temper as Miss Amanda Prying."

"I do not blame Amanda much, sir," said the youth, fearing that he might
be led to any thing bordering on detraction; "she was very kind to me in
all things, except that she wanted to keep me from mass, and tried to
force my sister and myself to attend Mr. Gulmore's church."

"That was very wrong of her, Paul. I do not think Miss Martha, here,
will be so cruel as to require you to do any thing against your will;
nor would she interfere with your letters to your friends, as I have no
doubt Amanda has interfered. Well, Martha," said the good-natured
father, looking with pride towards his eldest daughter, a bright girl of
sixteen, "are you going to force Paul with you to church; to compel him,
whether he likes it or not, to eat flesh meat on days forbidden by his
church? And will you forbid him to write to his uncle, who, I doubt not,
is a very respectable gentleman in Ireland?"

"God forbid, father, that I should be guilty of half that. However, we
shall be very glad if Paul comes to our meeting house, seeing we often
go to hear the priest, Father O'C----, of the Catholic chu