The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-01-25
MIDDLEBURY VT. JANUARY IS, lS43.

every fold was arranged by the hand of the
graces. Her dark. brown hair, which had a
natural wave in it, now uncurled by the
dampness, was put back in smooth ringets
from her brow, revealing face which did
not consider its beauty wasted because a
mothers eye alone rested on its bloom. A
beautiful cluster of autumnal roses, placed
in glass vase on the table, perfumed the
apartment, and bright blaze on the hearth
diffused a spirit Of cheerfulneSs around,
while it relieved the atmosphere of its ex-
cessive moisture. Mrs. Carleton was an
invalid, and suffered also from an inhama-
ton of the eyes. Mary had been reading
aloud from her favorite book. What do you
think it was? 1t was very old fashioned
one indeed. No other than the bible. And
Mary was moi ashamed TO have such a fash
ionable young gentleman as | then was,
see what her occupation had been. What
a contrast to the scene had just quilted
How loathed myself for the infatuation
which had led me to prefer the artificial gra.
ces of belle, to this pure child of nature.
drew my chair TO the table, and entreated
that they would not look upon me as a stran-
ger, but as a friend, anxious to be restorted
to the forfeited privileges ofan old acqaint.
ance. | was understood in moment, and
without single reproach was admitted a.
gain to confidence and familiarity. The
hours had wasted with Theresa seemed
kind of mesmeric s.umber, a blank in my
existence, or at least, feverish DREAM
what do you think of a rainy evening,
Mary p asked |, before left her.
81 love it of all things replied she, with
animation. There is something so home
drawing, so heart-knitting in its influence.
The dependencies which bind us TO the
world seem withdrawn; and retiring within
ourselves, we learn more Of the deep mys-
teries of our own being
'Mary's soul beamed from her eyes as
it turned with transient obhquity, 10.
wards heaven. She paused as if fearful
of unsealing the fountains of her heart
| said that Mrs. Carlton, was an invalid
and consequently retired early to her cham
Dor; but fingered till late hour, nor did
| 20 till had made full confession of my
folly, repentance, and awakened love; and
as Mary did not shut the door in my face,
you may imagine she was not surely dis
pleased
'Ahl kenw who Mary was.I knew all
The time.' exclaimed George, looking arch
ly at Aunt Mary. A bright tear. which at
that moment fell into her lap, showed that
though silent, she was no uninterestet
auditor
You hav'nt done father said little Ann.
in disappointed tone thought you were
going to tell story. You have been talk
ing all the while about YOURSELF
Il have been something OF an egotist, to
be sure, my little girl but | wanted 10 show
my dear young friend here how much might
depend upon a rainy evening. Life IS not
made all of sunshine. The haPplest and
most prosperous must have their seasons oil
darkness and gloom, and woe be TO those
from whose souls no rays OF brightness e.
manate to gid those darkened hours
bless the God of the rain as well as the sun
shine. can read His mercy and his love,
as well in the tempest, whose wings OBJ
scure the visible glories of his creation, as
in the splendor of the rising sun or the
dews that descend after his setting radI-
ance. | began with metaphor. said
rainbow was drawn on the clouds that low
cred on that eventful day, and that it still
continued to shine with unblemished beau
tv. Woman, my children, was sent by
God, 10 be tho rainbow Of mans darker
destiny. From the glowing red, emblem
ATTIC ofthat love which warns and gladdens
his existence, to the violet melting into the
blue of heaven, symbolic of the faith which
links him to the purer world, her blending
virtues, mingling with each other in beaut'-
full harmony, are token Of Gods mercy
here, and an earnest of future blessings IN
those regions where no rainy evenings ever
come to obscure the brightness of eternal
day.