Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-02-21
A HIGH HEART IN Low STATIONS.


II was q bleak, boisterous evening in ear
ly Spring; the wild winds whistled with the
leafIess forests, and made rude entrance
I through many wide aperture into the low
log dwelling of Mr. Morse. Those who have
never visited the dwellings Of the wilderness,
can form but faint conceptions Of the rude
log-house-built Of unhewn trunks Of trees,
with their rough bark adhering to them,
piled to requisite the interstices between
rudely chinked with split timber, and the
homely rafters covered with hemlock bark !;
while the windows are probably openings,
with board fitted to close them at night, or
when the storm drives in and the noor Of
split logs, or possibly of earth. Yet many
who are now glhtering in high stations in
our Western States, sojourned for years in
such habitations. II was one of the rudest
of these huts to which we introduce the rea-
der, and with the inmates Of which we
would now make him or her acquainted.
In an arm chair before an immense fire
of hickory wood, sat middle aged woman
very-delcate in her appearance, grading in
her arms ayoung babe and on stool be-
side her, young girl of sixteen, fair, bloom
ing, and sylph-like, was busily plying her
needle by the light of the fire. She drew her
hand across her eyes, aud then shook her
golden curls more profusely over her fore
head, as if TO screen her face from the in
tense beat.
Mira, said the elder lady, you had best
lay by your work, you will injure your sight
by sewing so much by freight
My eyes do not complain at ALL she re-
piled, looking up smilngly, but the fire
H,r. II
head. l can see better by night than by
day, now that we must keep the windows
shut, and want to finish all the children's
clothes before leave home
oh, Mira cried the mother, how can l
part with you. How will the children do
without you?
Il do not like TO GO, mother was the re-
ply but you know it is unavoidable | can
be earning something, and we have need of
all we can obtain
yes, it is true. But necessity is hard
master when it takes my children from me.
But mother | shall be home often, and
shall not be far away
There is some comfort in that, Mira, but
L dread TO have you go out amidst an envi-
Gus, cold-hearted world. You will be wound
ed at every step. A school-teacher is al
ways considered game for malice and ami
madversion'
We'll, mother, will do as well as can,
l will injure no one, and if any find it in
their hearts to injure me, will endeavor to
bear it patiently. My father idolized me in
his prosperity, and gave me every possible
opportunity of acquiring good education ;
and now that his circumstances are altered,
shall not endeavor to make that education
fund for his relief; or at least tighten his
burden by earning my own subsstencel'
Heaven bless you, Mira. You are gen.
erous girl
The fair creature took the babe, nursed il
tenderly till her mother was in bed, then
with fond kiss laid it on her bosom, and
having arranged the room, and taken care
of the fire. she climbed up the ladder to her
sleeping place. A poor bed chamber il was,
in which the winds held high revelry, and
through the roof of which the moon and
stars looked on the unsheltered sleepers,
whose couches during the winter we're often
buried in the drifled snow that found the
warped bark roof a slight obstruction. She
went to the bed where her two young broth
ers were sleeping, and having ascertained by
feeling that they were comfortably covered
from the cold, she turned to her own rest
Her bed was laid on the rude floor, and she
knelt beside it and mingled her whispered
prayers with big bright tears that fell like
rain upon her clasped hands. Poor girl
Notwithstanding her herosm, she felt the
change in her mother more than herself
: Reader, if you we're forced to exchange
your good and well furnished house for such
a hut and such substitutes for furniture, you
might then enter into Miras feelings. She
, laid her head upon her pillow, and her sleep
. was radiant with scenes, aud joys, and dear
faces, from which she was separated forever
, familiar voices, and bright eyes, and warm
hands were there, to which she had hidden
the last sorrowful farewell They came still
! in all their love and beauty to bless her
dreams, and every morning she felt as if she
had but just hidden them adieu.
well, girls cried good natured lad, as
, he entered room in which was assembled a
, bevy of blooming country girls, you had
best make bee tomorrow, and all get mar
r ried, for have seen the schoolma'm, and il
i she don't make scattering amongst your
beaux, lose my guess
What does she look like?' cried one.
Like an angel, tell YOU he replied
She is a little young-looking girl, with neck
and forehead like lily, cheeks like bunch
Of pale pinks, and mouth like half blown
} rose. Her hair is as bright as gold, anC
/ curls gloriously and her eyes are as blue
as heaven Look in them when she smiles
and you will think you see thousand stars
reflected in pure, bright water. There new
n