Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1844-06-01
From the U. s. Saturday Post.
THE PORTRAIT.
sY E. F. WELD.

HedIll, lNpdlihS diud"t 30"
brass fire set, lending polish 10 the
furniture, and covering the walls with
Pickering and varying shadows SO
bright was its blaze that the lighted
candles were eclipsed.
Within every thing spoke o! comfort,
without ragged tempest. The driving
seei psi,ered on the windows, while
the rude blast, at times seemingly sub
siding, sighed through the leafiess trees
that stood near the cottage, and again
with renewed force whistled in its
fury. Through the day and night
preceding The evening which we speak,
had the storm continued; and only
those who have witnessed an "oldiash-
toned" snow storm in bleak New
England town, can paint from imagln-
alton and memory the gloom Of nature.
Upon one side of the Fireplace sat
the faded wreck of beautiful girl IN
the person OF care worn and grief
subdued matron. Her daughter seated
opposite bore a striking resemblance TO
her mother, and forcitly reminded
YOU of what the mother must once
have been. A laughing curly headed
boy completed The circle, and though
his features bore another stamp, IT ap.
pealed 10, you would hesitste ere you
could pronounce either The handsomest.
"Charles turn your faces little more
from the light" said the mother.
"Jane stand by me moment. Now
smile again, my boy" The mothers
eye ia rapid succession turned from
The smiling lad TO The portrait OF his
father which hung upon the wall, and
again from the canvass 10 the living re-
semblsnce Of one long since departed.
Tears dimmcd the widows vision
the afiec,ionate daughter threw her
arms around her molher'sneck seeking
By endearment 10 sooihe her grief,
while the boy seated himself at her feet
and cla>ping her hand wept because she
sorrowed.
She was Mariners widow; her
husband persisted in winters gale up
on the coast within few miles OF his
home. Seated as now upon a similar
evening the young and happy wife
held the boy now al her feet then an
infant, in her arms; the daughter in
PRODUCED as a young lady was then a
playful child, as she gazed upon her
babes face she dwelt in anticipation
upon her husbands return. What
would he say upon being presented
with pretty boy,-his very image
born in his absence? Filled with fond
hopes as a mother; and with happy
feelings as wife, she was Uido,o!
Stretched upon bed Of sickness,
lwretched in. mind and body she asked
not for life, but rather looked upon the
approach of deathas welcome event.
Her pratins girl was brought to the
bed side; and smiling babe laid in
her arms. The mothers feelings were
awakened, and she shuddered as she
thought oil her children, denied mo-
Tiers presence and mothers care.
WITH renewed desire for her health
She uended slowly, and like The bruls-
cd reed though bowed down she lived
on.
The daughter was now seated by
her mothers side, while the boy still
maintained his position. The burst OF
grief had subsidized. and she sat in silent
thogh'.
"Iiark, mother! hear Canute bark, -
said the lad.
'Open The door my son-remember
il he is dog he has feelings"
The boy obeyed and Newfoundland
dog bounding into the room, shaking
the snow from his rough coat, ran to-
ward his mistress, then again to the
closed door expressing his discomfort
BY pIainlive and incessant barking.
why, Canule what's the mat,er?'
sail The girl, patting her playmate in
romping days. Canule wagged his tail
but bJrkcd the louder. swell we will
see" and she moved toward the door
The spacious dog was already there
and raised himself as though he would
essay 10 open it himself. Though out
of doors he did not leave the step but
continued 10 bark and whine The more
Master Charley mad donned his hal
and joined the dog. who now irotied
OF through the drilled snow.
Jane had become as impatient a:
Cauu.e, as she looked out 10 see wha'
could be the matter. She could not