Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-12-04
From the Boston Mercantile Journal.
SALT WATER BUBBLES
By HAwsER MARTINcALE
A THANKSGIVING STORY.

~ t0a
fitted rapidly across the face of the Heav-
ens-and the whole face OF nature assumed
an aspect cherries and uncomfortable
well calculated 10 remind the moralist ofthe
closing scenes in the grea, drama Of life-as a
traveller, with weary steps. wendell bis soil
tary way through one OF those beautiful
hamle,s which abound in New England
and which constitute the noble
emblems OF freedom, peace and happiness. Of
which she is justly proud.
To Judge from his costume, This traveller
belonged TO the humblest ranks of life-or
had been singled out as a victim by misfor-
tune. His coarse straw hat. his patched
doublet, and his canvass trowsers. soiled by
tar IN many places-while they proclaimed
his occupation and his poverty. seemed but
poorly calculated TO protect him from the
inclemency OF the weather. His form was
cast in a noble mould d~enoling great activity
and strength. His manly features. bronzed
by exposure to the tropical sun, and partly
concealed from view by his luxuriaut locks
Of coal black hue, showed that he was still
In the dawn OF manhood. And his eyes
seemed lighted up with an intelligent spir-
i;-by a CLEAN OF expectation and hope,
which showed that his humble fortune, did
not accord with his noble nature-and that
however severely fate had dealt with him
his energies were still unbroken-and that
maugre the chill northern blast, and The ia.
tigues which it was evident be had recently
undergone, he was resolved 10 push onward
until the object he had in view was accom-
plished.
III is now three years. said he to himself
as he ploded along the road, since l very
f~oolishly left my happy home. urged by a
silly pique. and a love for a life Of adventure.
to brave the hardships and perils of the
ocean. Since then my life has been a con-
slant series Of misfortunes. | have met with
storms on every tack. But thank Provi.
dence. although my canvass is sadly reduced
and pretty well worn out-and my pockets
are destitute of balIast-my hull is unim.
paired and my spirits are as unbroken and
buoyant as ever. / hope my parents are
still living, and prosperous and happy
was a fool to leave them. And my brothers
and sisters-bow happy we were together
and cousin Mary, that bright liule fairy.
whom | loved with a love surprising that oil
cousins-and in whose company have
passed so many rapturous hoursl Oh,
was a great fool 10 leave such blissful scenes.
And | believe. after all. that the liule fairy
loved mel l know she did-she all but told
me so. But it is too late now to retrace my
sieps-I can only regret my folly. | dare
say the bright and Joyous young thing has
forgotten Ned Willis; and was married to
some worthier fellow than | am long since,
For her rosy cheeks and laughing eyes, and
sweet disposition. TO say nothing Of the prop
erty she was to inherit when she came oil
age, attracted many admirers-nnd made
sad havoc among the hearts OF the youth o.
the village. Well. ifshe is married. there
is no more to be said---l have no right .c
complain. But | hope she has chosen q
good husband. will see her once more
wish her a long life and a happy one-ant
away TO sea again. But if she is mol MARI
ed He did not finish the sentence
but n change came over the counlenance o
the iilclad and weather beaten mariner, a:
If he was indulging in a vision Of rapture
and he involuntariIy quickened his pace.
AS Edward Willis journeyed onward
towards his ipating by turns
happy and adverse fortune, he was surpris
ed to find that although it was ia the middl,
OF The week, there were no signs Of labol
among the inhabitants. All was quiet
even the oxen were browsing conteniedly il
the pastures-the school houses were clos
ed, and the meeting houses were open-th'
people whom be met with were neatly al
rayed in their Sunday clolhes-and thei
countenances were wreathed with smiles Q
gratitude and joy. On enquiry, he learnes
that it was Thanksgiving Day. He halle
the information as a glad omen.
On the day when this poor forlorn lookin,
traveller after years OF wandering. was pursu
ing his a towards his native village,ihe fir
burned brightly on the hearth stone Of hi
parents. Deacon Willis was a NeW Eng
land Farmer--a man, who. by cherishin
the virtues ofindos,Iy and frugali.y. had be
come possessed of a handsome property
and who. enjoying e competence in a FIRE
country. protected by a wise goyernmen
surrounded by kind and intelligent neigl
bors, and in The midst Of a happy and virt,
Gus family, envied neither nabobs their rici
es, nor monarchs their power.
1t was Thanksgiving day-and great ha
been the hustle in Deacon Willis's family f
the previous week. Descended ia a direct hu
from one Of the earliest settlers ofNew En-,
land, nc consideration could have induce
the worthy Deacon TO abaie one jot Of ii
'pomp and pride and Circumstance Of th
T~hanksgivings Of the Puritans. Thank