Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-04-04

then toward her dear Ferdinand, she burst into
tears Her look became fixed, and painful si-
ence expressed still better than her tears the emo
tons of her soul. 20, my God said she to her.
self, this very day then is the last that shall
make hay in this orchard; these plums, which
have plucked for my Ferdinand, are the last fruits
which my poor child will gather from these trees,
planted for him by his father, and cultivated with
so much care. This, perhaps, is the last night
we shall pass under this roof; tomorrow evening
our house will be in possession of another, and
the poor orphan and his mother will not know
where to lay their heads
At this thought her heart again overlooked,
and the tears rolled down her cheeks.
AT this moment, Ferdinand, who until now
had sat quietly weeping, and looking at his moth
er, approached her, and said, Mama, don't fret
so, or | shan't be able to talk to you; do not
cry; you know my papa said to us when he was
so i'll in bed, just before his death. God said
he, pressing our hands, is the protector of the
widow, and the Father Of the orphan: pray to him
in all your wants. He will have pity on you.-I
These were my papa's words; are they not true?
Eyes, my child, said his MOTHER whose feel
ngs were Gained by these words.
We'll, then, replied Ferdinand, why do you
feel so sorrowfu! Pray to God, mamma; he will
come to our aid When l was with papa in
the forest while he was cutting wood, had not
long to cry whenever anything happened to me:
if was hungry, if was pierced with thorn,
went to him at once; l asked him for bread OF
begged him to take out the thorn, which panied
me- he always left his axe to give me food or
dress my wound. God is like papa; he is not
hard hearted and unleeling like that rich man
who repused us, and turned us out of doors
when we went to throw ourselves on our knees
before him. Yet God is much richer than this
man; look out of the window-see the moon
and stars-all are his the whole world is his,
/ papa always said so, We must not weep so
mamma: come let us pray to God, he will sure
| ly aid us; begin, will pray with you. You
will see if we do not succeed better than with
the rich man"
you are right dear child replied his moth
er shedding sweeter tears, and pressing her
son to her heart for the child's words brought
comfort to her mind.
Mary too, was consoled she clasped her
hands, and raised her eyes, bathed in tears, to
heaven. Following her example, Ferdinand
also Joined his little hands, and turned his looks
towards heaven. The moon-beams fell on the
I figure of the mother and child, and the tears
in their eyes sparkling like dew drops. Mary
prayed, and Ferdinand repeated each word.
o. our Father said she listen to the
prayer of poor widow, and an unhappy Or
phan. We are in great affection: we have
no refuge in this world. But thou art our
Father; we call on thee in our necessity De-
liver us, and let not injustice deprive us of
this cottage. Nevertheless, thy will be DONE
If it be thy intention to send us this trial, give
us also, Lord! strength to bear it meellly
DO not permit our hearts to be two severely
wrung when driven from our house, and having
reached the summit of the hill we turn to look
at it. Teach us to profit by our suferings
Grant only that we find place of refugee; how
ever wretched we shall be happy if thy Holy
Spirit is with us.
Mary's emotions prevented her continuing
Her eyes were fixed upwards with mingled ex-
presslons of hope and sorrow. Ferdinand stood
by her side, his hands still firmly c!asped when
he suddenly cried out while he pointed at some
thing with his finger; "Mama, mama look!
what is that little bright star coming towards the
window? how pretty it is! Q mama, It's Just like
the stars ofheaven. 1t is coming into the room
See, see mama it has risen as high as the ceiling.
! How curious
1T is FREELY, said his mother; by daylight its
appearance is not extraordinary but at night it
shines, as you see, with a beautiful lustre.'
Mamma, said the little boy, 'can take hold
oft without danger! Will not its light burn
like fre?'
1t will not harm you, answered his mother,
smiling at the artess and. childish JOY of her son.;
take it in your hand to examine it more closely
This insect is another wonder of the Creators
power
Nothing more was wanting to make Ferdi-
/, nand forget all his sorrows. He ran to catch
the FREELY, which lowered about the room, now
taking refuge on the chairs, and then on the ta-
BILE. But at the very instant that his little hand
was on the point of seizing the brilliant insect
, it DISAPPEARED between large press and the wall
The child stopped down to look under the
press.
i see it very well, said he, lust close to the
WALL its light shines all around it, and one would
take it for the moonlight, it is so bright and
clear But ] can't reach it; my arm is too short
: wait moment said his mother, sit will
: not be long before it comes out,
0 Ferdinand waited moment However he
was very anxious that his mother would help him
;, to catch the FREELY.
Dear mamma said he, in gentle voice, as
= he approached her, do make it come out, or just
draw the press little from the wall, and car
: easily get it.
e Mary rose, and did as he desired The little
a boy took the FREELY in the hollow of his hand
d and began to examine it with the greatest atten
S ton; he was beside himself with Joy; he was hap