New-York tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1841-1842, 1841-11-16
From the Southern Lit. Messenger for Nov.
A TALE OF THE LITTLE LAKE.
SY MRS, LYDIA J. PEARSON.

graceful youth Of nineteen, in his white hunting
frock and buckskin moccasin- stood that morHing
-on the brow of the highest hill that mirrored IL
love Illness in that lttle Lake. His checks were
fresh with exercise his eyes bright with hope ;
and his dark curls, gemmed with drops from the
blossomed spray gttcrcd in the sunlight. His
riga; hand held his rusty rile and his left era 50
ed thong TO which was attached large, rough,
iery-eyed dog. The young sent searching
glance over hill and vaey, wailc the dog stuffed
the wind and seemed eager for the chase. But
the storm had driven the deer from the hills. and
the iight-footed hunter took his way down toward
the Lake.
But what attracts the dog so forcibly toward
that stranded canoe! He eleva,es his nose, raises
bis bristes, utters an anxious whine, and pulls at
the thong with strong endeaver 10 lead his mas
ter onward. The hunter yielded to his humor, and
followed TO the spot He thought of the lurking
savage, and approached cautiously. The dog be-
gan 10 dig furiously under the side of the
q Be quiet. Nero ~ cried the youth and taking
hold 9th canoe be threw it suddenly from liz po-
sition. Godo mercy he cried, &" what does
This mesn l'' and he sank hi knees beside the
beautiful inanrnate form OF poor little Jessa.-
There it lay partly on the face with hands clasped
above the head. He took hold of the body it
wes not rigid; he raised it, and sitting down
the canoe held it to his bosom. The perfect face
was white as marble and the soft chestnut-coored
hair hung in long wavy tres,es over his arm. The
still cold bosom pure as fuen snow-drit
and the little hand and round smooth arm, lay
lifelesSly upon it. " Oh what pity that a crea-
ture so lovely should die y he said mourniully.-
" But how came she here | know OF no family
residing near the Lake. What shall do with
her | cannot leave this beautiful form to be dc.
voured by wild beasts | cannot carry her the
long seven miles, over hill and stream, to my
home"
Long time he sat gazing down upon his lovely
burden, while the big tears fell upon the face that
felt them not Rising at last, he laid her on u
grassy bank gazed upon her moment, bent down
and kissed her forehead. "Here, Nero take care
ofher," he said TO the stout dog, who approached,
sat down by her side, and loo ked wis,fully after
his master as, with flying footsteps, he assembled
the hill On the summit he paused and looked
back the faithful animal still sat by HIS charge.
and with blessing on the canine race, the hunter
sped on.
II was past three in the afternoon, when the hun
ter, accompanied By three strong men, approached
the place, bearing rude bier, or litter. AT lit
tie distance they halted, and gazed with wonder
The dog lay quietly on the grass the child recn
ed upon him, with her arms around his neck, and
her cheek on his velvet head Z" God of wonders
she lives !" cried the hunter, as he bounded her
side. The noble dog looked up with his glad
bright eyes, but meved not until the precious bur
den was lifted from his neck.
The pulse was beating, and the sweet breath OF
life had impaired its rose-hue TO her lips but her
cheeks were white as ever, and her eyes closed
heavily. After u few Intellectual attempts to
rouse her, they placed her upon the litter, and bore
her away.
1t was late in the afternoon of the next day
when her consciousness returned, and she slowly
raised the white lid from her soft.sad eyes. The
mellow light that penetrated the heavy crimson
curtains, shed beautiful twilight through the Gle
giant chamber. and gave to the white drapcry ot
her bed a tinge that made them secm like the
clouds that hang round Summer sunset; while
exotic flowers, such she had never seen before.
shed their incense from the most elegant vases
She ielt that she was in Paradise. Mother,
she cried, with her low sweet voice. benign,
looking lady approached her. and inquired wha'
woald nv dear girl have ?''" Is not mother here
she asked in reply. Be quiet, love- returned
the lady; "y you are too weak to talk now. To-
morrow will tell you all you wish to know. =
But" persisted Jessa, q" is mother III hea
ven q .Oh YES. most certainly replied the
LADY; I" but you must not talk of her to-day. Keep
yourself calm, and yes will soon be we'll .
will obey :" and Jessa closed her ewes and slept
her intellect she became aware that. instead OF
being gorifcd spirit, she was still OF the earth
earthly. Then memory unroed slowly before her I
the scenes OF the birthday, and the nish OF the
storm and she alarmed her anxious Narse by q
burst OF passionate weeping. Oh | thought
was with my parents N heaven, she said, and
| am onlya poor orphan without friend on
earth. The lady sought by every means to soothe
her, assuring her of safety and protection as long
as She lived Only in mercy tell me how carlc
here, and where am The LADY rccounled sow
she had been found and saved by her son addicg.
You are now in the house OF Mr.. HILL whose wife I
lam Jesaa soon related ali that shs knew OF her
own history, and the terrible events ei her birth
day. Mrs Hill wep; with the poor child for the
sudden and feartu! bereavement which had made
her destitute orphan at the time blessing
God, who had 50 wonderfully preserved her -
You shall stay with me, she ID. We have
no child but Harry, your prcserver; have ofeN
wished tha; heaven would send rae a daughter,
and now my wish is granted. hope we shall be
able 10 make you happy
A few DAYS afterwards-and Jessa was sport
;ns in tn garden. and through the beautiful grounds
which surrounded Mr. Hills hne mansion, attend
cd ever BY Nero. who : emrd TO love her with
his he4rf, Us certainly did his young master Eui
The man envied the dog the many caresses which,
b. won, ead the constant cemPsnioaship to winch
he was admitted. Indeed one might have tancicd
that JeSsa loved Nero more ;nan Harry, who did
not know how holy thing love is in the bosom OF
yoang and innocent girl. Je-sa was u joyous
creature, and The Only cloud on the atmosphere of
her spirit was the memory OF her parents, and on
that was ever glowing the radiant rainbow OF faith
in their eternal beatitude Nh. and Mrs. Hill low.
ed her almost 10 idolatry, and every person about
the house felt it privilege TO serve her. She was
literally buraened with presents Ofevery thing