Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-07-14


child:
That would be ,oorSe than wasted, dear. 1t
would be cruel to give TO another what refuse 10
YOU on account Of its unwhoesonIeness"
But Harriet huG now been for long time out OF
the spinster's book-as the saying is-and this
misfortune occurred ms follows:
One morning. when she was six years old, the
child came into her mothers room from her
aunt's where she had been alternately petled
scolded and teazed, till she was weary, and, seat
ing herself in corner, remained for some time
absorbed in thought She had been reading to
her that morning, aud one sentence, OF which
she had asked an explanation, had made deep
impression upon her. 1t was this, God sends
trials and troubles to strengthen and purify our
hearts, She now sat in her corner without speak"
ing or stirring, until her mothers voice startled
her from her revere.
"Oi what are you thinking, Harretp
Mother, did God send Aunt Eloise to strength
en- and purify my heart?"
"What do you Ciean, my child !"
"Why, the book says ho sends trials for that,
and she is the greatest trial lave, you know"
The Indignant mailen was just entering the
room us this dialogue hegan aud hearing her own
nane, she had stopped, unseen, to listen.-
Speechless with rage, she retired 10 her chamber,
aud was never heard 10 call Harriet all angel
child again.
But we have wasted more words on the fair
Eloise's follies than they deserve. Let us return
to ilurrlel's all important composition.
Tie maidenady, selfish and ndoent as she
was, took it into her head sometimes 10 be ex-
ceedingly inquistve, aud oflicous, TOO ; parlicu-
larry when she thought her literary talents could
cone into play, She walked up 10 Harriet and
looked over her shoulder.
"What's this hey? story That's right!
Harriet; | am glad 10 you taking TO literary
pursuits. Come, child give me the pen aud
will improve the sentence for you"
"Thank you aunt but | don't want it i'm
prored"
mot want it improved there's vanity! "
Indeed, aunt, am not vain about it, aud
would like 10 have you help me, If it were not TO
be shown as mine. II wouldn't be fair, you
know, to pass off another's as my own. | am
writing for prize"
For prize So much the more reason that
you ought to be assisted. There, dear, run to
your play and | will write it all for you. You
will he sure to win the prize"
With every word thus uttered, Harret's eyes
had grown larger and darker, and at the close she
turned them, full of astonishment, from her aunt's
face to her mothers. Treasured by the express
sion of the latter, she replied,
But Aunt Eose, that would be a falsehood
you know"
:" A ialsehood. miss' cried the maiden, sharp
ly! SIT is Il very common thing. | assure YOU
But not the less false for being common
Eloise," said Mrs. Carlton; spray let Harriet have
her own way about it. 1t would be far better to
lose the prize than to gain it thus dishonesty"
Aunt Eose, as usual, secretly determined to
have her own way but she said no more them.
Harriet pursued her employment without further
interruption.
CHAPTER nI.-THE PRIZE.
The exhibition day had arrived. Hrrriet had
finished her story several days BEFORE and read it
10 her mother. 1t was simple, graceful child
like etfuson, with less OF preenslon than orna-
ment, and mere OF spirit and originality, than the
compositions OF most children of the same age
contain.
Mrs. Carlton seemed much pleased, but Aunt
Elose had criticised it without mercy. At the
same time she was observed TO smile frequently
with cunning. sly, triumphant expression, pecu
llnr TO herseli-an expression which she always
wore when she had secret, and secrets she had
in abundance, new one almost every day,-tri-
vial, petty secrets which no one cared about but
herself; but which she guarded as jealousy as if
it had been apples of gold.
The exhibition day arrived.
"Good bye mother, good bye aunt" said llar-
riel, glaucing lor moment into the breakfast
room.
She was looking very pretty in simple tasteful
dress made for the occasion. She held the story
in her hand, neatly enclosed in an envelope, and
her eyes were full Of hope-tlfe coudess hope Of
childhood.
"Don't be surprised, Harriet" said her aunt "at
anything that may happen today. Only be thank
full if the prize is yours that's aIl'
ST Kate Summers don't win it, do hope
shall !" replied the eager child, and away she rip
ped TO school.
! AT twelve o'clock, Mrs Carlton aud her sister
! took their seats among the audience, in the exlii-
! bilion room. The usual exercises were compile
! ted, aud it only remained for the compositions to
be read aloud by the teacher.
| The first was "A sentimental essay upon Friend
l.l; 1 a., nnl,. nI e.,
surprised, then amused, then veXed, as he read
| while gully and tushionably dressed lady, who
| occupied conspicuous place in the assembly, was
| observed 10 toss her head aud fan herself with Il
| very cOmpacenl air, while she met, with nod,
! the concious eyes OF II fair and beautiful bul
! aughty looking girl OF fifteen, seated among the
j pupils.
"By Angelina Burton" said the teacher as he
concluded, and laying it aside without further
comment, lie took up the next" Lines TO la
youre Tree" by Calharne Summer"
1t was short aud simple, and ran as follows -
Thy leaves ightes murmur,
Oh! beautiful tree!
/ Each bend Of thy branches,
The stately, the free,
Each wild, wavy whisper,
Is music to me.
gaze through thy labyrinth,
Where the ligh, loves to linger,
/ In glory serene,
u Far up, iii yon heayen-blue
Trembes between.
l shut out the city,
ii Its sights and its sound,
d, Away, far away
For the forest Pm bound,
For the noble old Forest
Which ages have crowned!
lean on il banks,
II | stoop DER its rlls,
see through the yistas
The vupor-wreathed hills,
And my soul with gush
OF wild happiness ILLS!
pine for the freshness,
/ The freedom, the heulth,
Which Nature give me
/, My souls dearest wealth
Is wasted in cities
Where, only by stealth,
The mountain born bTeezes
, Can htiully play,
Where " steal but glimpse
OF this glorious day,
, And but by the calendar
Learn it is May.
4 But away with repnng-
= III study from thee
! lesson OF patience,
old tree