The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-07-28
Vol, 9, Whole No. All. No. l.


curIs down her neck and over her shoulders. There
was smile ever beaming on her face, which served
but to incrcase her attractions and progresses tho
beholder in her favor. She moved with graceful
ease and nobleness that art can never bestow upon
the human form. Added to these outward qua'iGca-
lions mild disposition, and a temperament
placid and serene as the water of n lake when sleep
ing quietly and unrulllod by the winds and storms.
Yet there something in her searching eye that
told Of spirit Of bold daring yet slumbeing in her
bosom, which would in time expand to degree,
that would readily reb uke provocaton oC too bold
NATURE and any insult that might be offer
ed to her Her guardian always took great delight in
dressing her to the utmost of her childish graf
ication and luvished upon her all tho fondness of
parent. Thus she grew up, the pet Of Mr. Ruggles,
and respected and loved by her whole circle OF ac-
quantunce which very large for their scarce
ly resident ofthe village but what knew Helen.
the founding, and each had word Of kind greeting
whenever they met her, which was received by
her with a smile pleasure and returned in manner
Courteous that she won the affections OF ali
who knew her. As she grow older, and was inform
ed of tho fact of hor being founding and perhaps an
orphan without relative earth, and when she al
lowed herself to reflect upon those things, a shade
Of deep melancholy would settle upon her brow, and
! her feelings anything but pleasant She often
wished she Ind a MOTHER for Htty took every occa-
sion TO manifest her hatred for her, WHEN she could
do it unobserved by others, and she would very Of
ten, before she Of il, find herself in
whenever she reflected upon her situation.
Time rolledAon. She somewhat advance
ed in her teens, and the glow Of childhood fast
deepening into the darker tints Of tho discretion and
judgment OF womanhood A dstemper broke out
in the village Of an alarming character, which pros
trated many Of the inhabitants upon beds OF Sickness
and great number of deaths occurred in consequences
Of this disease.
Mrs Arson was MS usual Mt her post attending mp
on the sick, and supplying their wants. She moved
about even among the worst cases Of the disease,
without taking it herself. II was that distressing
complaint called the Black Tongue from which few
that attacked with it ever recover. 1t ragged vio-
ently sweeping the nged, the middle nged the as
piring youth, and the smiling infant, nike into the
grave. Many were the hearts that were desolate BY
the loss Of one, two, three land sometimes more mom-
bers Of family, during the prevalence or this dis
ease. At last when it had nearly abated, Mrs Arson
worn down with excessive toll and watchngs, was
taken sick, and the kind attentions were paid her
! which she had bestowed upon others Her labor to-
ed upon her sPTns, U'Vss lila which had weigh
her first attack she felt convinced that she could not
long survive and there but thing that creat
ed in her mnd desire to live any longer: and that
was the welfare of her daughter When enc found
that her strength daily falling her, she sent for
Helen and disclosed to her that she her mother,
and related the story OF her life that have given in
the preceding chapter. This new era in ilelen's
life She had a mother, and sho now watched by
her bed aide both night and day, scarcely allowing
herself sufficient satisfy the demands Of nature
Her mother grew till death came to her relief
She died reclining in the arms Of her daughter, with
prayer on her lips, for the guiding hand OF Prov-
dence to direct her through life For awhile FIeen's
grief was unbounded She had found her mother,
but to lose her and the recolec,ions Of suffering she
had undergone served but to heghten the tempest Of
her grief.
Many supposed that Mrs. Anson's disease was the
Same TINT had prevailed in the village, and It was
thought best to bury her as quick as possible, and
much against the wishes of Helen, the funeral
TO take place on the afternoon ofthe day on which
she died Notwithstanding tho supposon that the
disease was contagious, tho Church where her tuner
al was held was filed to OVERLOOKING In consequence
of yielding time to the prayers and entreaties OF
Helen no: to remove the corpse it late before the
procession reached the cnurcn9 uhu lWhpBht 'ho"
succeeding tho sitting sun, before service was OVER
Here was solemn and impressive scene which Is
seldom wituessedG funeral in the Twilight of eGen-
ing and a burial by moonlight. Although the corpse
was followed by the mourner ony-the only Helen
leach one felt that they hadi lost friend dear
TO them, for abe had long been minsterng angel,
and the fact OF her being the mother Of Helen, IN
creased if possible their respect for the decsased-
The hymn was given opt and sung with solennIty
that awed the congregation, and the prayer that fol-
lowed seemed to come from tho heart of divine full
less The service which Immediately succeeded was
impressive and eloquent, and the eulogy upon tue
life and character of the deceased, left dry
eye in the house. The service over, the procession
moved to the grave by the dim light afforded by the
rising moon, and the remains Of this once loved and
lovely but broken hearted being consigned TO the silent
tomb Helen remained weeping over the grave. Of
her mother, till the assemblage had dispersed, AID
! shs was left alone, with nongn to uolace but the
| knowledge that she died Christian The death Of
M. Anson was severely felt for a hong time, and