Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-01-31

ONtle lhOHltulS pdSSCu III SlloHCo' OuilolIdu lClL
that his heart was not altogether so cold as she
supposed. He could not account for the lively
interest he began to take in the maiden.
Let us hear he resumed, 'why you think that
my choice will not he yoursi'
! Because said Christina, in some perplexity,
because think you would give me for husband
one of your courtlers, and suppose me we'll pro-
vided for, if he were only young, rich, and hand
some.'
| WELL you strange GIRL interrupted the King,
ARE youth, wealth, and beauty, then such great
crimes in your eyes, that the opposite would lie
more welcome to your
Not so, my, King answered Christina, | only
feel that should wish to look up TO my husband
and not consider him beneath me, aud this could
hardly be the case with youth, will not lament
or despse the follies of my d,he shall know
how 10 protect mine, and ALSO to guide my
inexperienced youth, and keep my feet from Sill
ding on the slippery path of life. For as the fruit
which storm, RAIN and sunshine i'll succession,
bring to maturity is the sweetest, so no man can
make me happy, but one who is victorious over
the ebutions Of passion, and who, independent of
outward influences, understands exactly what he
will and must do, and what L. as connected with
! him, should do
The astonshcd Christian gazed long and 6xcdly
on her. The excitement of speaking had height
ened her color, and given new brightness TO her
eye. Penetrated by the deep feeling of what she
had said, all embarrassment, all timldlty had van
ished, and the entire composure which she had
attained, gave her a new charm to add to the in
terest the King already felt for her.
You speak beyond your years., he said with
some emotion, dropping the familiar tone he had
hitherto used towards her. 'HOw could you in
your short life attain views so appropriate to ma
ture age?
Experience, my royal lord, has been my teach
err returned the maiden. 'lt was not in the lap
of Fortune that first learned to know life not
in the funess of superiority, that ideas we're i'm
pressed upon me which have treasured in my
memory, like costly pearls, which the diver OBJ
tanned with difficulty, in order to adorn my dark
future with them Early accustomed to cast an
anxious gaze around me on all the relations of life,
to see whether some hope might not spring up for
] me and mine, no deception has ever lulled me in
to a pleasing mistake, but reality has shown me,
! from the fate of others, what | needed what !
must strive for, and what avoid, in order to be
happy IN my own way
You may go, now, said the King, still more
perplexed, q will think of you, and Tomorrow,
when see you again, hope to prove to you that
care for your welfare has occupied me-
Christina bent, in silent obedience, before her
monarch, yet, as in taking leave, she raised her
dovncast ewes once more to his, and in his
face an EXPRESSION of kindness, even of tenderness,
she could not part from him with the GOODNESS and
silence which form prescribed. She grasped the
hand to which God had inWusted so mighty a
scepter. and which was accustomed to deal out ia
vors with berality, but also to exercise the strict
est Justice, and pressing it with ardor to her warm
lips she bent her knee to the floor, and hastily
left the apartment
The King was obliged to summon all his for
titude to regain composure, for the man who bad
long survived youthful feelings. the hero, the mon
arch the dispenser Of fate to millions, could not
remain indifferent to the charms OF a simple maid
en-.
His inquiries about Christina were answered
much to her advantage, because she appeared to
no one as an object of future envy. He learned
with pleasure-for he highly valued industry, hui
mility and domestic habits in woman-that Chris
tina was the life of her family and by her unwea-
ried assiduity in labor, had hitherto encouraged
them, and by her example strengthened and COM
forted them.
1t may well be supposed that the most import
ant resolution of his life was not taken without 4
; hard struggle with the difficulties which surround
ed him, and he was not on that ght much refresh
ed by sleep. Before day break he awoke his train
aud sought to claim the impotence of his fiery
, character, amid crowd Of occupations. But il
: vuin-notbirg would fix his attention, and he
$ sought to accelerate the approach Of the houl
when Christina was to appear before him, by send
ing messenger to bring her.
: She appeared, at her entrance, still more char
tn1ng Duil OH lHG previous udyj IOi
u anxiety and sorrow had disappeared, and witt
> modest confidence she approached the king, whit
: seemed no longer stranger but had changed iron
the mighty and terrible possessor of kingdom, II
> whose hands lay her fate, to friend, from whom
she might expect happiness.
Il have sent for you,' said Christian, in serious
a tone, 'to inform you that your affairs have occu
pied me exclusively since yesterday, and that
now think can make proposal tn you which
=" will he acceptable
l. Christina looked at him nquirngy, while thu
8 glad smile of confident expectation played roun'
g her lips.
Is Il have found a husband for you,' continued thu
a king, whom you may safely trust with your DIES
II tiny. He possesses the qualifications which yol
require, for be is no longer in the dawn of neXpe
9 renced youth hut has seen the lights and shad
1t ows OF life, and has steeled himself against thu
a a storm of heeting passion. Are you resolved, with
u out hesitation, to bless him with your hand Z A
!, Chrstiana turned pale Her eyes were riise,
/ imploringly to his, but the paRid lips, which be
: gan TO trembIe, found no words.
n You are silent, Christina he continued MA.
II interpret your silence into consen?N offer yot
II with the hand of the man whom desline for you
the fulfment of your wishes, for he will take care
i ofyou and yours, and be the firm rock on whicl
{ the feeble tendrils of your youth may supper
J. themselves
1t 'You will not connect Yourself with YOUTH re
!" sulned the King, after u pause, during whicl
i Christina stood silently weeping before him !
" now say that you are serious in making mor
= worthy choice give me, by your free consen
e power to announce TO the happy man, whom al
e ready consider as your husband, that you will Ell
- yen the atum of his days with yourfres spring.
70 Stay, my king sobbed Christina, thut think n
n worse of me than deserve, when confess to yo
% that have changed my opinion since yesterday
and have taken resolution to end my days in
e single state. Ask not why-I dare not tell you
1t hardly know myself ); she added, conceang he
l. face
J. How, Christina ? said the king, what can s.
+ suddenly have changed your opinion, when it wa
l. reason and reflection that guided your 1t is onl
f evily that thus hastily alters its resolutions. Civ
d me your reasons if you would not have me beliey
= that you have acted from mere fickleness.'
The trembling maiden now regained her com