Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1842-03-03


maintenance OF his family. Then il
was, that the widow and her son endea-
vorcd 10 repay the debt ofgratitude due
to their neighbors. Michael laborcd ioi
them with unremil,ng toll and alacri,y
and suffered them TO experience ~
diIninuilon Of the few comforts the strict
necessaries of life might be called, I"
which they had hitherto been accustom-
ed. Anxiously but unavnling had the
widow tried 10 prevent Michael from
pursuing the hazardous profession OF
his lost father. In all other respects
the most docile aud obcdient of sous, he
c,iuced in this a wilfulness that often
filled the heart with the most gloom,
forebodngs which infected the mind OF
Annette with fearful apprehcnsions,
whenever he was absent on these dan
gerous enterprises. Yet when he re-
turned home bending under the weight
of his spoil, and made light oIthe fears
Of his mother, or silenced them by his
caresses, the whole circle collected 10
the chalet of Martin Eignolles felt too
happy to chide hin, though all never
sought their humble couches without
offering up prayers for his safety. Of
ten would the widow dwell on the past
not less with u view of warning her son
than from that ycarning Of the heart
towards the dear departed felt by all
who have known the misfortune oflosing
the partner of their youth.
III was Just such II night as this, ,.
she would say, y,"that expected my poor
Claude for the last time. All! how well
do remember it /! | made up a good
fire, prepared his supper. and carefully
swept the hearth, for my dear husband
always liked 10 see blazing fire and n
clean hearth. Michael slept in his era.
die, aud smiled in his sleep, poor inno-
cent, little dreaming of the dreadful mis-
fortune that hung over US. | tried to
work but the needle slipped from my
fingers, they trembled S.. opened the
door, and stood on the ledge OF the rock
near it, to listen for his step was never
again 10 hear. The moon was shining
Us now, like silver, and the frozen tops
of the mountains were sparkling with
light except when a cloud passed over
the bright face Of the moon, and then a
dark shadow fell on them. | knew not
why il was, but a cold tremor shook my
limbs, and my heart trembled the
branches ofthe pines creeked discordan.
tly, and the wind, which a minute before
had been still, sighed moHniully through
the leaves. | looked around, but all
appeared SO cold and bright, so unieel-
ing-liie to my fears, that | turned from
the view, as one turns from selfish,
heartless person, who has no pity for
our misfortunes, aud | came back to the
house 10 seek comfort in looking again
at my sleeping child. Oh! what "a long
night was that! | thought it was the
most miserable ever should pass but
! passed many more wretched one
since, for then | hal hope. remem-
bered through the weary hours how he
looked and what he said.-Iie stood on
the threshold he was never more to pass
looking back on Us with Il smile which
] at THAT moment thought too gay a onr
when leaving US; but which, when ]
recalled it to my memory that night, =,
seemed sadder than a smile ever wa,
before. How often have | thought OF
that smile since followed him a few
steps and kissed again, woe is melt
was for the last time and he chided me
because the tears startled into my eyes.
But his chiding was gentle, so II ever
was and wheh he got 10 the last pine
,ree, he turned round and waved his
hat to me. All! n'ighbors, who could
have thought that | was never more to
see him"
Tears interrupted the widows mean-
choly "reminiscences nor did they flow
alone; for Annette's too, coursed each
other down her cheeks, not SO much
the truth must be owned, from sorrow
for poor Claude Bauvais, whom she
could not remember, as from the dread
OF the possibility Of similar fate await
ing his son.
Annette and Michael loved with no
common passion. Their attachment had
grown with their growth and strengthen
ed with their strength. All their notions
of the past and the future were idenii
fed with each other; and the possibility
Of separation never occurred to either
save when the widow related the mel
nnchoy parting with her husband
which, though often repeated, never
failed 10 excite the tears ofAnnette, and
the seriousness of her lover. Love, al
all times so engrossing sentiment,
when felt for the first time in youthful
hearts, was all powerful with these sim
pie children Of nature, whose thoughts,
wishes and hopes were centcred in their
own narrow circle. Their parents wit
nesse the affection Of their children with
satisfaction. They had, ilom the birth
ofboth arranged their marriage, and nc.
yer doubted !hat the attachment they
desired should spring up between them.
would prove as warm and ardent ms II
really was. Motives Of prudence had in
duced them to defer the marriage OF the
young people, until Michael had attained
his twenty-first year and the misfortune
that had beiallen the father Of Annette
by leaving him and his family dependant
on the exerlions Of the young man, rem
dered the resolutions Of procrastinating
the marriage still more necessary.
], was on cold night in the early part
Of autumn when wintpr had nnticipated d