Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-08-17
AN ALLEGORY.--BYG GRACE GRAFTON.

In a beautiful valley, which, had long since been
redeemed from the rude hand Of nature, and over
which The art Of man had spread 'he blessings oi
civilization. noble mansion reared its walls. In
the midst ola spacious plain II stood, and peace
and plenty were there.
This Qoody building was Inhabited by dame
called Virtue, who not only maintained order and
discipline within it's walls, but over The whole va.
lev shed The influence Of her wise laws and sober
Rula,ions. Virtue was comey mairon, and
pleasant 10 look upon when she wore smile upon
her brow, and walked abroad through peaceful
scenes. 10 the naiura beauty Of which her prudence
had added an air of sweet security. The majesty
OF a queen sat upon her brow, and the purity Of an
angel and there was a, times something so win.
ming in her tranquil smile, that m unfortunate
wretch who had often ooked upon her form from a
distance with w,s' fol eyes, veniured one evening 10
approach under the shadow Of twilight, and mplore
her protection.
The supplicant was one of,hnse erring daughters
Of huo,ani', fnr whom Vire, the great arch enemy
Of Virtue had his snarrs, aud not IN var. Poor
foul !-she hU unwar> entered his en'icing paths,
and brcolning sorrly en,angleh, had made de-pe.
rate effort 10 reirace her Steps hu, not unsCa,ied
did she escape she had lost her (arest ornaments
and many thorn had pierced her feel and rent her
garments. Thus bIemished and bent with shame,
she appeared before Virtue and humblv asked per
mission TO tread The same road, and follow al q
distance on her cl,asle footsteps.
Scarcely had this detected form presented itself,
when sudden change came over the face Of Virtue
As though n winity wind had swept over her, she
stood chilled and rigid, and scarcely opening her
lips, motioned s,erny with her raised arm 10 The
sinner 10 depart. But not so was this child OF er
ror TO he daunted. Still lingering near the sweet
aode Of Virtue, she haunted her Steps, and hung
upon her robe, and enlrea,ed beseechingly 10 he
allowed once more 10 wind her way in silent oh.
security through those paths Of peace. At length.
observing ever that she was rppnlsed with scOrn
and adherence, she stepped aside. and fell once
more INFO the snares Of Vice where fearful ills hesri
her, .aI sy,l f,llow ship corrupted The bands
menis Of Pleasure and Wan,onness, those thought.
less satellites II Vice, gave transient relief from
the anguish Of remorse, and with companions like
these she revelIen awhile, (orseIul of The charms
of innocence, and indignant At the trowns Of Virtue;
for change had passed over her soul, from The
moment she cast off, degraded, from her last
interview with that prudent and dgnifed lady,
They never met again, except by chance when sad
and weary, the wreIched wandercr made last
feeble effort TO regain her footing The outskirts Of
Virtua's peaceful domain. Well nigh, she struggle
for a yawning ab,ss was near, and many IA fatal
warning told her that her backward steps we're
sliding ,hhherward. But it was now 10 late 10
ehake OF The evil companions that dragged her
downward, and hindered her forever fon passing
unno,iced into the humble path Of duty. Wanon.
ness dlet near, and evy hung about her like
gaudy creepsr round sirkly stem.
A crimson hus, resIed on the chase brow Of
Virtue. and ind gnaIi"n sparkIpd in her eyes, when
she accidentally encountered The gaze, and Ioose,
disordered air Of the unfortunate: aud turning 10 her
friends M0drsiy, and PrOpriely, who's faces were
ms red ~ her own, she cried in that sn,luied
like knell. Of death in The ears Of the guilty "Aid
me, aid me. nv maidens, in chasing This abandoned
creature from our own iu,e, un.ullied walks =!
She had scarcely spoken when her wish was nc.
compl,shed, aud Vice, seziug o" his VICTIM hur led
her into The abyss Of inlnv, where through scenes
ofunspeakable pollution she irod her way TO ever.
lasting sorrow.
Where were ,hose lovely sisters. the fair attend.
ants on Virtue Faith, Hope. and Charity, whose
sweet voices might have c"unseel the slern dame
TO listen TO the pleadi,gs Of Mercy and stretch for,
a redeeming hand to The err'ng one. belore il was
100 late 10 save her from The dreadful doom Of the
wickedl Faith was AT Chmch Hope dwells too
much on The future TO aflrd assistance IN present
difficulty; and as for Chary-she was al home.
LABOR IN THE u. S.-IEDEPEEDENcE OF
Cd ...Lt DAHL