Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-07-05


tiinl example, TO shake off the dreadful bands
OF despair, and daily 10 seek, and to find,
peace which passed all understandings
Ernest and Blanca had taught them to feel
how happy how cheerful, thing religion
Isl Was it then surprising that. at their
departure, their poor companions should
crowd around them, and weep with mourn
full gratitude as Ernest distributed among
them his working tools, and the simple fur
niture of his small but2 Was it surprising,
that Blanca and her husband, as they sat on
the green grass, with wavering trees and
cloudless sky above them. while the sum-
mer breeze bore with ii full tides of fresh.
ness and fragrance from their magnificent
gardens, and they beheld the pure rose col
or Of health begin 10 tinge the cheek of their
delicate child, was it surprising that they
should turn with feelings Of atlectionate scr.
row TO the dark and drcary mines OF Idria2
Imusl not forget 10 mention, that Ernest
and bis wife were publicly reinstated in all
their titles and professions A short time
after their return to Vienna, they made their
first appearance at court for that purpose
At the imperial command all the princes and
mobiles of Austria, gorgeously dressed and
blaming with gold and jewels, were assem-
bed Through the midst of these, guiding
the steps OF his feeble and venerable mother,
Albert advanced to the throne A deep
blush seemed fixed upon his manly features,
and the hand that supported his in6rm pa
rent trembled more than the wasted fingers
be scnderly clasped.
The Empress herself hung the order Of
the golden fleece round his neck and gave
into his hands the sword which be had be-
fore forfeited; bu, as she did so. her tears
fell upon the golden scabbard the young
soldier kissed them of with quivering lips.
But soon every eye was turned TO the wife
Of Albert, who, with her young child sleep
ing in her arms, and supported by the noble
minded general, who had obtained her hus.
bands pardon, next approached Blanca
had not forgotten that she was still only the
wife Of an ldrian miner, and no costly orna-
ment adorned her simple dress. Nota tinge
of color had yet returned to her cheeks of
marble paleness and shadowy angour
still remained about her large hazel eyes,
but her delica;ely shaped lips had almost
-egained their soft crimson dye, and her dark
brown hair, confined by a single ribbon
shone as brightly as the beautiful and braid
ed tresses around her.
She wore loose dress of white silk,
adorned only with fresh cluster of roses
TOR since she had left the mines she was
more fond than ever Of nowers) Every eye
was fixed on her. and the Empress turned
boldly from the ghucring forms beside her,
20 the simple bfnucu. D~sssnding from the
throne, Maria Theresa fastened TO raise her
ere she could Lneel, and kissing her with the
tender affection OF dear mud intimate friend
she led the Trembling Blanca To the highest
step of the throne. There she turned to the
whole assembly, and looking like queen as
she spoke, said This is the person whom
we should all respect MS the brightest orna-
ment OF our court This is the wife, ladies
OF Austria, whom |, your monarch, hold up
as your example-whom | am proud 10
consider far Out superior in the duties OF a
wife. Shall we not learn of her. to turn
away from the false pleasures of vanity and
splendor, and like her act up, modeslly and
firmly TO that high religious principle which
proves true nobility OF soul. Count Alber-
IT," continued the Empress, every husband
may envy you your residence in the mines
of ldria. May God bless you both, and
make you as happy, with the rank and
wealth 10 which now fully restore you, as
you. were in the hut ofan Idrian miner"