The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-01-05

that the COW rambled from her pasture,
and John was sent 10 find her.
He wandered far, into a deep, thick
wood; and there by the side of a running
brook, in the midst Of white shining birch
stems, that stood thick arond, like slen.
der columns of silver, the old COW was
lying on the grass, with her feet folded
under her, peacefully chewing her cud.
The full clear moon shone on the brook,
and as the waters went ripping along
over the stones, it seemed as if the moon
were broken into pieces, and every l!t,le
wavelet was scamperng OF with silver
fragment.
The thoughtful lad lookd al the moon,
fast tending to the west lie looked al her
image in the brook I; and he listened to
the deep silence of the woods. The
same sweet voice, that he had heard be-
| for, seemed to come from the brook and
the notes they sung were like snatches Of
aud old familiar tune. Again he remem-
bered, but more dimly than before, that
he had once lived in glorious palace, full
Of light and music.
He stood leaning against birch tree,
and looked with earnest, thoughtful love
at pale evening primrose, which grew
/ by the brink Of rivulet.
BY degrees, the flower raised itself, and
assumed the look of tall and graceful
girl, playfully dipping her feet in the
water. 70. Then the heart OF the youth was
right joyful! lie sprang forward, ex-
claiming, ooh, it is long long years since
we parted. Do you remember how tried to
kiss your image in the great crystal mirror
in my fathers palace aud how provok-
ed was that ever, as tried to kiss your
image, | kissed myself : How glad am
to see you again viii you lead me to
our home 2
The tall primrose waved her yellow
blossoms in the evening air, and made no
answer. The youth stood amazed.
Where had the maiden vanished |!
Whence did she come! What meant
these recolIec,ions of lar.oG home?
In the deep solitude around, it seemed
as if all things tried to tell him if he
could but understand their language.
Slowly and sadly, he returned 10 his
hut, driving the COW before him.
The night was beautiful, but Solemn /;
for all was dusky light, and slar-stillness.
The lone traveller gazed at the silent sky
with earnest glances, and still his busy
heart repeated the question, Where is my
home! Where is the beautiful maiden I"
1t seemed as if the stars might tell
him, if they would; but the stars passed
into his heart and found no voice.
For Il long, long time, he remembered
this scene with strange dis,inctness. AT
early dawn, a, evening twilight, in the
deep woods, and by the sounding shore,
he thought of those soft, sweet voices,
and the beautiful maiden. His heart de-
sired to hear and see them again, with
inexprcssiblc longings.
At last, after weary months, he met
them thus: he rose before the sun, one
bright May morning, and went forth to
gather vioets for the children, in the field
before him he saw beautiful child, with
white garments and golden hair. He
called TO her, little one, you will take
cold in the damp grass But the child
turned round laughing, and threw flowers
at his head. AS he came nearer TO her, he
perceived that she had thin transparent
wings of lovely purple; and sometimes
she went Swimming along the grass, and
sometimes she sailed round his head,
tossing flowers in his face, singing,
: follow, follow, follow me
Follow me Ivy rock and tree F.!
Ever toward the rising sun, .....
Follow follow, lonely one!
Where thy home is thou shalt know
But long the path tho journey slow,
Follow follow, follow me
Follow me by rock and tee!
Ever toward the rising sun, ...
Follow, follow, lonely one
Thus she wen. on singing and dancing,
and sailing in the air. Sometimes she
ran before him silently; But if he quest
toned her, she skinned swiftly away, as
it she were skating on ice; and he could
only see The shining Of her white gar
ments among the trees in the distance
,She would waite till he came near, and
, then begin to, sing, ,..
Follow, follow, follow me s..
In this way she led him to the top OF a