Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1844-07-04

gland. France and Aatys ano many q
tgem Of art was ensnrined and hsllowed
in the mosaic iables Of memory. but There
was nome to rivs, the gem Of naturs--ihe
matches little match-gih ol Kentucky,
with her lair hair streaming On her scanIy
red cloak. he glad andiunoceni smiles 10
her childiAh eyes. and the lovely nbsarn
stealing through the hole 10 her old
straw hat to light. as With message
from Heaven. the lovely head Of the OF.
phsn girl. That beautiful ray Of lightl-
made more beautiful BY us chosen resting
.feleee, giving and receiving grace iii
kseemed symbol or the Fsther's love Ter
the poor little warderer II was not o. :
| ~ the hole 10 The hat that letin the sun-
shine; il was her poverty and her lonely,
lowly state. that made her especially the
child OF His divine pity and tenderness !:
and they, like the sunbeam, changed 10
gold her daily care, and smiled through
every cloud that crossed herliule heart.
Seven years flew by--on butterfly
wing 70 jog and ihoughtlessness, on lead
en- Does 10 sorrow End hope deferred p
and our little Vifginis$Sow d lovely girl.
ol seventeen bad earned money enough,
BY her bewilching way OF offering match.
es for sale. 10 introduce herself as pupil
into one OF The frs, boarding schools ofahe
country, not TO commence, sui 10 finish
her education !; for, with fe " books, she
bad found means TO cultivate her taste
and talents in many ways.
The lovely and lonely little orpbaa had
struggled with hunger and cpld and "a
ligue, with temptation 10 its most allurine
and beguiling forms. with evil in thou.
sand shapes. yet had she kept the heav-
enly sunshine OF her soul pure and 10.
ciouded through il all. She had never
taken money as gilt, nor as bribe. =
She had assisted. from her store, many a
child Of misfortune, still humber and
poorer than herself and with faith, truth.
and purity-an angel guard around her
BY The light Of her own innocent smiles,
she glided like star :hroughlae gather.
ing clouds unframed, unstained, unshai.
owed. In the words OF our beautiful
poet
Peace charmed The street beneath her feet,
Aud honor filed the ARR
and music; the music ofher own sweet
heart and siTvery voice. went always with
her through the world.
II was on the evening preceding that
on which the annual ball. OF ihe school
took place. The young ladies' were DIS.
cnssing round the school.room FIRE the
dresses they. were 10 wear. Virginia, a
litile. apart llstenedto them, aud half wish
ed The fairy gnd-moiher, ike Cinderella's
TO deck her for the festival. Pearls. dia
Irr0ues sJUtpts. servers
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. y was so very plan.
not even bill of trimming round The
throat. ~
And what are you 10 wear Miss Lin
don 7 said one 81 the aristocrats Of the
school, turning. with what she fancied IN
imperial arr toward Ire young str Anger.
Virginia blushed, and said, simply, My
white muslin Il
| And what ornaments? =
Virginia smiled On. I can find some
bright autumn leaves for wreath
Imogene Grey would have gwen her dia-
monS ne cklace iorsuch blush and smile;
for her own ssllow cheek was never 50 IL
lumina ted but she sneered nevertheless
at the white muslin and the garland
Leases. and deigned no further question.
Vnginia's. delicate aud sensitive spirit
feltthe sneer intensely. and she left the
room with a swelling heart and fearful
eye.-Once sale. however 10 The asylum
ot her own little chamber, peace once
more descended ike dove into hersoul. !.
and, alter undressing, she kneli down in.
her light robe by The side Of The bed and
said her prayer, and snug her little child
-ish hymn,
OF old tn Apostles walked the wave,
As seamen walk the land,
A power was near him Slreng 10 save,
For Jesus held his hand!
Why should fear, when dangers near'
l'Rn safe>Qa sea OF land
For I've in Maven Father dear,
AID He viii hold my hand.
Though on dizzy height perchance,
With falering feet stand,
No dread shsli dim my upward glance.
For God will hold my hand.
But oh il to1bl should cloud The day,
Add ain beside me stand,
Then 6rmesi, lestI iosf my icey,
My Father! hold my hand.
Doubt. and danger, and sin, were near
er than she thought. but her little hand
was held by One who ieould not let her.
fall As she. rose from her devotions, she
saw for :he first time, a box Oh a table
BY the bed. II was addressed Old the COW
er simply 10 Virginia She opened il,
wondering. and found set Of exquisite
pearl ornaments, foF the arms, neck and
head. Her little heart beat with girlish
delight. She hurr d 10 The glass and
wound around her hair chain lot snow
gems. less fair and pure than the innocent
brow beneath. Next she barred her grace
full arm, ssnd clasped bracelet there
How exqufsitely The delicate osnameuis
became her childish loseliness She
thought she had never looked 50 pretty /;
mot even when she used to deck her hair
with wild flowers, by the clear pool 10 The
woods. And she could wear them 10 The
bali! But who couldshaSe sent :hem -
A gain she looked At The box. andihis time
she-saE noie peeping beneath the cot
ion wool on which the gems bad rested.
Virginia fair cheek flushed as she read
Let Ianocencs and Beauty wear ibis. the gifi
Of Love. HowAED hEf."
Had The bracelet been serpent, with
its deadly sting 10 he- arm. Virginia could
scarcely have nnelssPed i with more fear,