Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-07-08

Olga, my dear, if you continue to wccp
thus, you will consume away like the snow
under an April sun, and your bctrotlcd, ON
his return from the army, will hardly recog-
nze you.
Heaven knows when he will return! said
the young girl, drying her beautiful eyes with
her coarse apron; when our soldiers 90 away
they bid adieu to the village for a long time.
And then he looks so well on horseback; with
his red Uniform and his gold lace, that they
will never give him leave of absence As for
them, when a soldier falls, it is but one man
less /: another mother furnishes a son, and
there is the end of it.
The r est assures us that the war will not
last long, continued the good woman. rrplen-
ishing her spinning wheel with flax: our
troops will soon bring those iniidcl Turks to
terms.
Heaven grant! replied Olga sighing and
as hope, in pure hearts, is usually associated
with religion, she crossed herself devoutly be-
fore an image of the holy Virgin suspended
at one Of the angles Of the cabin.
Suddenly voices in chorus, accompanied
by the balaieika "a species of guitar with
three strings were heard IN the distance
the sound gradually became more distinct,
and Olga half-opened the door Of the iaba
ia rustic cabin) to see the wedding party,
which was traversing the village. The mar
RED couple returned from the church, and
repaired TO the house of the bridegroom, es-
corted by young men and maidens, in their
gala dresses, whose clamorous mir,h broke
out in loud acclamations. Then came the
fathers and mothers, walking with sober steps:
the old men and the starOste (lhc patriarch of
the place) closed the procession. Here was
lite in its three principal phases: youth with
its innocent illusion, maturity mngling reason
with its enjoyment, and old age busy wit
its memories Of the past and The mysteries Of
the future.
They are happy, said Olga sadly, as she
re-entercd the cabin and but Heaven
has no blessings for poor scrf
Child, said her mother, with a tone Of au-
thori,y, let us not offend our Heavenly Faith
or by our complaints: who can tell what he
may design for usl
AS she uttered these words, the oupracitel
(overseer) entered the cabin. The good wo-
man equally terrified and surprised, rose
from her seat and made low obeisance.
Olga hid herself behind her mother. This
man had just been placed in the post of over
seer, and il was not yet k.own at what price
or by what sacrifice his dependents might es-
cape his prosecutions.
Andrew POircwich, stammercd the pea
SAINT, am little in arrear with YOU, but
hope to have the means ofpaying my tax il
week.
The overseer, without answering her, cast
around him his hawks eyes, as if 10 take an
inventory of this sorry habitation, and per-
ceiving Olga, he made sign to her to ap-
proach. The young girl oboycd, turning
aside her face; and without daring to look
at the overscer, she stood before him, COM
pletely Disconnected, her unconscious finger:
stripping fcld-ilower Of its leaves.
What do you do with this beautiful child
demanded the man of prey, passing his hant
through the auburn trcsses of the young pea.
SAINT
She assists me in spinning, replied hel
mother; moreover, ycsterday-but, beg
pardon, If weary you with these details
Go on, Margaret, replied Andrew Petro.
witch.
Yesterday, then, continued the good wo.
man, she was at her work at break of dav
and the midnight bell sounded before she
thought Of sleep. She is good girl, you see
but she is iimd. Olga, look at the overseer
But Olga made her escape, covered will
confusion, and she had disappeared befor,
the maternal admonilion was at an end Til,
visits of the overseer became more frequent