Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-05-24

drawing MS arms from neT HeCk anu 'oon'"s
strangely beautiful as he turned his eyes up.
ward and clasped his hands on his bosom
Il tell you mo,l,er, It's the pulse ofthc heart
and the thoughts ofthe brain that make the
time, oh how feartulIy have mine lived
since morning Your boy is almos, man in
heart molher-yes,' he whispered, Il will
never trouble father to horsewhip me again,
can take care Of myself now
Mrs. Damer drew back with tears in her
eyes and scarcely dared to answer the child
before her. A mighty change had indeed
come over hu,-the spirit of that poor,
abused boy had suddenly grown in power
aud might, until he was as much above his
oppressor, as the stars are above the earth.
AT that moment little Mary crept softly
in, in her night gown, with large piece of
apple PIE in her hand. She was beautiful
child, with deep loving blue eyes, and naxen
ringlels playing over an open innocent brow.
The traces Of tears were OIL her rosy cheeks,
but she smiled as she saw her brother sitting
up, laying the pie upon the plate, she climb
ed upon the bed, and winding her little arms
about his neck, kissed him with the tender
ness Of warm hearted child.
Il have brought yousome pie dear George
said she, :! didn't want any supper myself,
and saved it for you, because | know you are
hungry. Father shan't whip you again, he
shan't, he shant,' she continued, sobbing
aloud, while the poor boy pressed her to his
heart and begun to cry himself, at this new
proof Of affection.
No, no, sis. he won't whip me again,
never-never y
Il knew he wouldn't, I would 60 between
you, and he might beat me to death, |
shouldn't care, but he should never touch you
again, my dear, good, kind George. l am
sure you are len thousand times better than
FATHER ever was, or ever will be-
No, not good murmured the boy. 'but
will always be kind to you, poor child ! God
bless you, my sweet sister, good night-go
now and putting her gently from him, she
slipped away and obeyed him without word.
The mother held long conference with her
son; it was midnight before she left hIm, and
once more he was alone with his heart.
The dreadful and unmerited punishment
he had suffered effected one Of those sudden
changes in his character, which children
sometimes undcrgo-tho' rarely, perhaps, at
SO early an age. 1t had ripened his facul-
ties, set him to thinking for himself, and
young as he was, and little as he knew of
the world, with consciousness Of strength,
and self-reiance, he felt that he could now
walk alone and buffet the ills oflife unaided.
His eyes were fixed on gltering goal, and
with newly developed energies, patience,
perseverance, and indeed uncommon facul.
ties of mind, George Damer, at the age of
fourteen, launched himself far upon the world
to begin life with the sole aid of his heart
and heal.
He communicated his plans and his wish
es to his mother, gained at last her fearful
consent. and disappeared within three days
from the date Of the above, unknown to any
one but her. Mr. Damer swore when he
found he was gone, bnt guessed he would be
glad to come back again the bows wonder
ed and felt unhappy, and little Mary cried
as if her heart would break--her play fittings
were laid aside, and she grew sad and mel
anchoy as days and weeks passed away and
he came no more, for she loved her brother
tenderly.
For sometime Mrs. Damer kept the
Whereabouts of her son. He would occa.
sIonally send her messages when opportuni-
~ offered, repeatedly saying he was well and
happy, but what he was about nothing could
induce him TO say. For three years she
kept the place of his residence, bu, then all
iidlngs from him ceased--al traces of him
were lost. Many were the conjectures about
him, many the hopes and fears of an anxious
parent; hut as year counted on year, and
nothing more was heard from the youth, all
settled into the vague feeling of her despair
1.-The boy must be dead. 1t is true that a
neiehhor who happened to be "a. New York
said that he met young man in lawyers
office, looking very much as George used ia
look, but good deal handsomer, and indeed
very smart young man, he almost though,
it was George, but finally he knew it could
not be, though his eyes, looked strangely
alike, and he never saw another PAIR like
them. But at last, he was given up Nv ALL
even by Mrs. Damer and Mary, who, although
vivid remembrance of her brother.
Seventeen years to day. from the time
our story commences. the little village of
- Il shall leave the matter of-fact lover ia
guess where) was thrown into a state of ex
element by the arrival OF a member of Con
gress at the tavern Of the place.--It wa.
rather an unusual occurrence, and there
seemed to be an air Of mystery, connected
with the stranger, for no one could find on,
who he was, or why he was there. Not two
hours after he stepped from the stage coach,
the whole village was by the ears. The
young ladies' WED with each other as TO who
should get the first peep at him, con,riving
on some plea or other TO pass the tavern
three or four times during the fou, enoon, not
failing to raise their heads each time, and
giving long look as they passed. Wonder
full stories were in circulation about his beau
ty and gracefulness, and it was unanimously
agleed by those who were so fortunate as 10
get look at him, that he was the finest
looking man they ever saw. Mr. Damer was
of the opinion that he was around 'elec,ion-
eoring,' or trying to get petitioners for a
bill--someihing TO work their money out OF
them, for them. for these Congressman are
sharp enough, said he, and don't want any
tI,ipn IN do ,,,.th sbnr,