Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-04-28
THE BROKEN MIRROR.

Sne vauey-lne stream dividing them IN front
the lofty mountains enclosing them IN the
rear and the young possessors Of this wild
domain often sighed in vain for the necessary
funds to enable them TO make settlement
upou their useless lands. A situation of
entire dependence is seldom to be coveted
and their willingness and strength were
taxed 10 the uttermost by their hard, gripping
uncle, who, If he did not treat them with
actual unkindness, yet was a stern, exacting
master, who made them feel that the bread
they earned was not their own. For his
mothers sake, Robert never complained Of
his uncle's harshness, although he confded to
aunt Jessy his sorrows, and often consulted
her on the most probable means of lettering
their condition. Miss Janet deeply sympa-
thized with the lads. and often demonstrated
with her brother pm his over-bearng conduct.
Her appeals TO his better feelings were gen.
orally treated with contempt. Women
he said, were weak fools, who knew nothing
about business, or the management Of boys,
whom they always spoiled with indulgence.
TO them he might seem hard task master;
but he was only doing his duty, by making
the lads attend to their work.
But, brother! by exacting too much, you
may loose their services altogether
'Pshaw!' muttered Mr. Harden in reply.
Who is TO support their mother if they
quit service 2
Il will do that said Miss Jessy, REDEEM
ing, rather than see my poor sister and her
orphan boys imposed upon
Il wish you would mind your own bust
ness, said Mr.. Harden, tarlly. The boys
would be quite contented if you would let
them alone. 1t is pity that old maids are
such busy bodles.'
Brother William you have sons of your
own. If they were so situated, would you
like them to be so treated 2
Il should be thankful to their employers
if they made them attend to their business.
and very much displeased with any meddling
misunderstanding old body; who tried to rem
der them dscontented.'
Miss Janet turned away with the tears in
her eyes, while Mr.. William Harden, who
considered himself the injured party, walked
off with great dignity, to inspect his focks
and herds, of which he already possessed
considerable number.
The two years Of servitude were fastdraw-
ing to close. The little settlement was in
the most flourshing condition. Beehive cot
tages arose on every side, and the green val
ley was dotted over with sheep and cattle !;
every location had its primitive dwelling,
and was possessed by thriving family. All
but the pretty lots of the young Hardens,
looked we'll and fourishing.
'Oh, that we possessed the means ofpur-
chasing few agricultural implements and a
dozen head of sheap and cows, said Robert,
with a sigh. I'VE would soon put up cab
in for my dear mother, and be as well off as
the rest
'lfwe had had good luck 10 save The mir.
ror, said Mrs. Harden, with sigh. 1t was
the first time his mother had made any allu-
usion to the loss for many months.
Robert started and looked musngly at her {:
The mirror-yes; had forgotten the mirror.
BY the bye, aunt Jessev, wanted bit of the
glass TO shew my favorte old Caffre. Gaika the
reflection of his own face. DO you know what
] did with the box containing the pieces!
You will find it in the outhouse, said aunt
Jessy. wish you could frame us small
dressing glass ont of the fragments
Il will try said Robert and, finding the box
he selected several square pieces of glass. and
put them into plain wooden frames, which he
fashioned toeraby well with what tools he could
collect. He was still busy at his task, when
the settlement was visited by several leading
men among the frontier tribes, who often visited
the glen, to make friendly exchange Of their
native commodities, for knives and beads and
other trffes of the same nature. The sight of
a mirror was new to them all, It seems a spe.
cies of vanity inherent in man, to be delighted
with the reflection of his own image. For hours
the savage chefs amused themselves with ex.
aiming their features ip these wonderful pieces
of glass. They looked and looked again, and
the more familiar they became with their OWL
faces, the more enamoured they seemed with
their sable visages. Nothing would satisfy them
but the actual possession of these magic glasses
and, before they left the valley, they had barter
ed with Robert Harden flocks of sheep ant
herds cattle for these once despised fragments
Of broken glass;
this circumstance is a fact. The widow and he
sons owe their present wealth to the sale of thes
pieces of broken glass.
Mother, dear mother! is it possible ex
claimed Robert, as he flung his arms about he
neck, and kissed her, in an ecstacy of deligh,
that these fiocks can be ours! See what CO.
has sent us. He has restored the mirror sevel
fold! Who, who will ever doubt his providen
tial care, who listens to the tale of our broker
mrrorl'
But this happy change in the fortunes of tn
Hardens did not end here. The old carpe,
likewise, played its part in this strange drama
Aunt Jessy cut out all the soiled and torn part
and made up the remainder into aprons, such a
are worn by the native women; and these ha
as great sale as the pieces Of glass. Not
fragment of either article but turned to accoun
and from being the poorest and most depender
settlers in the glen, the widow and her sons be
camo no rnost l,hv nd md