The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-04-01
st, JOhnsbury, Vt. April |, 1914.

red COAX the glad and innocent smile in her childish
eyes, and the loving sunbeam stealing through the
hole insthe straw bonnet to light as with message
from Heaven the lovely head Of the orphan girl -
That beautiful ray Gf ght!-nade pore beautiful by
its chosen resting place, giving and Receiving grace!
it symbol OF the Fathers love for the poor
little motheress wanderer. II was only tho hole in
the hat that let in the sunshne-it her poverty
and her lonely loNy state, that made her especially
the child Of Ills divine pity and tenderness; and
they like the sunbeam, changed gold her daily care,
and smiled through every cloud that crossed her lit
Seven years Hew by--on butterfly wings TO Joy
and thoughessneSs, on endcn to sorrow and
hope d, feTcd' land our little Virginia. now love-
ly girl Of IL had earned money enough by her be-
witchng way Of offering matches for sale, to intro
duce herself pupil into one of the first boarding
schools Of the country, not TO commence but finish
her education; for with passionate love Of books
she had found cultivate her tastes and tai
ents in many ways. .n
ii The lovely and lonely little orphan had struggled
with hungar and cold and fatigue, with temptation in
its most alluring and begnilng forms. with evil in
thousand shapes, yet shs kept the heavenly sunshine
Of her soul pure and unclouded through it all. She
HeNeF'uaNen money as nor as a enc
had assisted from her little store, many child IF
misfortune, still humber and poorer than herself;
and, with faih truth and pnrity-an angel guard a
round her--by the light of her own innocent Smiles
she gided, like star, through the gathering clouds
unframed, unstaned, and unshadowed. In the words
Of our beautiful poet s.-
peace charmed the street. beneath, her feet,
And honor, charmed the air.
and musicthe music OF her own sweet heart and sill
yer tones went always with her through the world.
It was the evening preceding that on which
the annual ball Of the school took place The young
ladies were discussing ronnd the school room Ere,
the dresses they were 10 wear. Virginia, little a
part listened to them, and half, wished she had airy
god-moher like Cnderea's to deck her for the fest
val Penrls diamonds, japonicas Satins, laces. vel
vets! She, alas had none Of these She had only the
plain, white dress in which she had been crowned
Queen of May the spring preceding 1t was so We
ry plain, not even bit Of trimming round the throat
'And what are you 10 wear, Miss Linden p said
one Of the aristocrats Of the school, turning, with
what she fancied an imperial air, towards the young
stranger. $3.50 -r
Virginia blushed. and said, simply; MY white
muslin
'And what ornaments p r
Virginia amiIed oh, I can find some bright au-
tumn leaves for a wreath .a -.ar
Tmogen Grey would have given her diamond neck
lace for such HUSH and SMILE for her own sallOw
cheek was never SO llumined: but she Rneered new
erlhelcss at the white muslin and the garland of
leaves. and deigned no further question.
Vrgnia's delicate ard sensitive spirit felt tho sneer
intensely, and she left the with n swelling heart
and fearful eyes. Once. however, in the asylum Of
her own little chamber, peace descended like a dove
into her soul and. after undressing she knelt in her
nghtrobe, by the side of her bed and said her pray
or, and sung her little childish hymn
Ofold tn apostle walked the wave,
As seanlen walk the land
A power was near him srohg 10 save,
For Jesus held his hand
Why should fear when dangers near!
Pm safe or lands
For I've in heaven father dear,
%, And he will hold my hand.
Though ON dizzy height. perchance,
With ing feet stand,
No dread shall dim my upward glance,
For God will hold my hand.
But oh! il doubt should cloud the day,
And sin beside stand ~
The 6rnest, lest IIoose my toay,
My Father! hold my hand! o..
Doubt. and danger, and sin, were nearer tban'sha
thought, but her h,,le hand was held by One Who
,couid moi let her full As she from her devo
TONS she saw, for the first time, box tho table |
by the bed. It WINS addressed on the simply !
TO Virginia. She opened it, wondering, and found
OF exquisite pearl ornaments for the arms, neck
and head Her little heart beat with girlish delight
She hurried to the glass aud wound around her hair
chain OF gems, less fair and pure than the in
nocent brow beneath Mex, she barred her graceful |
arm, and clasped a bracelet there How exquIsitey
the delicate became her childish ovcness!
She thought she had never looked so pretty-not
even when she used to deck her hair with wild
flowers by the clear pool in the woods And she
could wear them to the ball! Bnt who could have !
sent them7 Again she looked at the box, and this
time she ano,e peePing beneath the cotton wool
on which the gems had rested. Virgnia's fair cheek
flushed rs she read. JOSH s.Hat. .,.s |
.Let innocence and beauty wear the gift Of Love.
,' IIowARD GREY.' !
Had the bracelet been serpent, with Its deadly
sting in her arm, Virginia could scarcely have I'M
clasned itvith more fearful haste. The, clain too