The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1841-03-05


her tired horse, and approached the low window
to ascertain that the old couple were alone. The
sight of brisk fire, and the cheerful look Of the
old woman she stopped TO turn IL cake tina, was
baking on the hearth, brought all the dear feelings
Of home into the young girls BOSOM Tears oil
love stole into her blue eyes us she noticed the
look of conlcnled fondness that heamed over the
face of the old man, who bending forward on his
seat, rested his chin on the top of his oakcn staff,
and allowed his eyes TO dwell on so much of his
wile's features rs her hood of grey cloth did not
conceal She near those she loved, and who
oy ed her With light heart she opened the door
of the dwelling and stood before the startled M
mates, cxclniming, Right glad am 10 see the
promise Of supper, for III sooIl tins day OF last
has well nigh Eimishcd me-
The old woman turned quickly as the sweet
sound of that familiar voice met her ear Her arms
were extended and withdrawn in surprise and dis
appointment, when II seeming boy stepped forward
to I'LL them. In tone slightly angry, she SAID,
the hungry never asked food at our door in vain,
but in truth Young sir, little more courtesy would
not i'll beiil thy years.
Clara with sil,ery laugh stepped forward so
that the light from an iron lamp, suspended against
the rough Stone chimney, sircamcd upon her as
she raised the plumed cap from her head, and shook
the abundant cuis thus let loose over her shout
ders. Nay, my good MOTHER she said in voice
sill rich with laughter, 8 il was not thus You Tor
merry child my call for bread
she had moi breath to say more, the old woman S
arms cluspcd her so tightly, and warm klsSrs al
most stilrd her. 'Clura, my darling, Is 1t thou,
she said after Il moment, holding the girl ont at
arms length, half laugh struggling with Iown
ON her face as she examined the masculine dress OF
the grl: hut what is the meaning Of tins male
| ,,l,I,,l sntn.LinU is uusppulN in one
young.
i will tell Won all mother answered Clara,
but first some !uUd, hayG not tasted bread since
morning :,
Compassion instantly overcome curiosity in old
Alice. She placed slice Of yenlson ON the hol
Goals in the fire. place, drew forth II round stool
with lis furniture Of wooden trenches, and IN short,
Il good meal was in speedy preparation, Mean
While Clara drew block of hrwn wood TO The feet
Of the old man, and raised her red lips TO meet the
kind kiss he ben, down to give her, then throwing
her hand over his knee, she proceeded 10 relate to
the asronishcd corp'c all that had passed at the
castle since the visit Of Richard together with the
particulars of her journey, ly the time she had
| finished, the NCui,on was cooked ana The dread
broken, to which the young adventures belooh
herself with an appetite that rendered food deli
cious and finished with drnnghl ct strong ale, ior
|
again seated at The feet of the old man, Alice with
some seeming hesitation Informed her, that three
dave before she had hopn summoned 10 the pres
! cucc of the Queen nOwngrr, who questioned her
very closely with regard 10 her, CIara's, age aud
pnrcu,uge. She was about 10 proceed in describing
! what passed when Clara turned suddenly round
on her seat so as to face the narrator, and with a
flushed face exclaimed, 'Shc questioned You OF
my birth, say ,ou?--und what was your answer!
'Ghi'd, was the slightly renuous reply, what
should it he but thai Ihou wei, my own child But
why dos thou thus question me
Clara made no reply, but turning slowly round
,he placed her elbow on the old man : knrc, aud
rested her forehead on her little palm. The Old
man laid his hand carcssngly on her head 'nd cast
n look Of piy ON the troubled features of his wife
For II minute there was II dead silence in the room
then Clara arose very pale, and with the express
sion about her ewes Of one who has made painful
resolve. she laid her hand on hlrc's shoulder, and
hendng over her us she sat, rs to bring her fac,
coSe to hers she said in tone she tried Ia render
kind, II was not truth, nevertheless, that YOU too
the Qnern-i am NOT your child
Alice drew back with Start that shook III,
younu Urls hand from her shoulder, aud locke,
INTO her face with hrsccchirg carncs'nc's. He
Inns moved hul SIR did not spcak-cnolion CHOKE,
her. CLAIMS heart 81 otc her Ms She saw that quiy
crng lin and look Of dcprcca,ing tenderness. Sh
sunk genl, on her knees, aud clasplng her hand
, over the old wonans neck, drew her lace dowi
, and kissed ils wriuk'Cd check. Forgive ne, ol
forgive me- she sobh'd, meant not thus to DIS
trcSs Won. my kind, NY best friend
The old wonan's head fell on Cara's shoulder
and her frame shook with passionate burst u
,nnrs Thus relieved. She raised her head, ant
pariipr with trembling fingers the curs from tn
forehead of the hnccIiug gil, looked mourninII
iuto her ewes aud said, W Ito told Thee my CHI.
that thou hndsi other percentage than ours I"
Il Twill tell ,ou al, think said Clara, all
knoy. il seems like demonstrating hu, TIN
+. one scene. have no recollection Of amy thing he
* iore-and SINCE it seems ms if had gone no sud
den sleep, and opened my eyes in this room, vii
the forest trees .;hOgt ne, and yonr dear face a
n WAYS by. But that one s"cne that j. before ~
q as distinct as the objects about me now. II was
a;,c room like one II The rHsilC-ihcIe was tapes
iry ON the walls ficr which figures of men an
"A women seemed gazing nj mc-ihcre was hlgl
If sorac bed with haurinas that rustlcd rs tourle
+ them. and on that bed she lay, pale and bcaullll
d Ms marhlc--she was dcad--lOu tod ne so, YOU
y but YOUR face WAS younger then. ! wond Ia,
.r land nv hand ON her dark hair, parted back >
II smoothly but you prevented ne. cried and 'irni
: rod in YOUR arms, till the rings on my mother
Is fingers attracted my notrc; now hPHu'hu' ll'
he looked. fl ,hng like fire on those white hands.
!. cried louder. and N, hear, seemed bursting whi
ID one in the room stripped them oil her sill'cn'
m fingers. You took me in your lap. laid MY he
Ip on vonr bosom and hushed me 10 silence, and {
n, the time biz teais were streaming down yo
10 cheeks as they do moss NV hair was wet vi
he them: then Won held me over the beautiful de-
no and told me 10 kiss my molhcr-ny mother, Il
IN surp was that did his. her, but shrieked WI
he fright and clurg to YOUR bosom, for there was
I'd fearful chill met NY lips. Then you took me henc
rs and | rem cn her no moro. II rcmnns IN uv men
-. ~ like bud from bright wreath, still hoomln
N, but never united TO it, fellows; yet are no, I
es scenes Of Yesterday more yi,idly pictured IN 7
n, mind than that of whirh ! have spoken. IT.
., sweet face in it, dead. Tac loneliness visits inc VI
n. Kind spirit in NV dreams; nnd ih1t word m"ih'
,h uttered as il was in Lw shed voice. has be
m to ne a sound Of perpetual music. have low
TO think on that form, To repeat that word alone
NO twiiph, among the rusi'ing Old oaks. ! have ne'
mentioned these thoughts before; they seemed
4, Lpe Ms beautiful fragments of an earlier and ne
. snIepdid world-lke sweet music buried IN I
,so heart. whi~h would be hushed If spoken Of.
have ever loved you and your husband with all