Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-09-18
HE seen Wy.
The SmuggleF's Daughter.


ed in the little church of Upton, and the villagers
were pouring from the doors, exchanging friend
ly greetings, and moving homewards in cheerful
family groups
But there was one who had stolen from the
church the moment the service was over, hurry
ing across the grave yard and along the lane to-
house at some little distance. 1t was a young
girl, with pale, anxious countenance, and al
step trembling and unequal.
The girl hastily unlocked the door, and ex-
claimed as she entered the lonely room,-
Thank God, they are not come YETI
She placed the chairs near the fire, heaped on
fresh fuel, then passed through the house into
the orchard
As the villagers moved homewards, the church
bells rang cheerful peal, shaking the old tower
and disturbing the rocks that had made their
homes about it, and were now sending their clam
erous shouts far on the evening air.
While the girl watched their wheeling flight
she heard voices IN the lane that skrted the or
chard, and, a moment afterwards her own name
was called aloud,
annie Carr! Annie Carr!-are you there?
She ran to the hedge, and the same voice con
tnued, in kind and cheerful tone,-
Come walk with US, my dear; it is sweet,
mild evening, and we are going as far as the wa
terfaIl by the mill. You can take tea with us
afterwards, and we will bring you home at
night
You are very kind, Mrs Gardner she repli
ed, 4 would gladly come, but it is really impos-
sible. | expect my father every moment, and, |
believe, my brother is coming also
But they will not want you, Annie, pleaded
second speaker. Do come, only for half an
hour You look pale and sad, and this lovely
evening must do you good
Thank you, Charles, | wish ] could; but
dare not come
You dare not!' repeated the young man.
i mean,' said Annie, coloring,-'I mean |
cannot leave home at the moment | expect my
father. Hark! is not that his stepr and she lis
tened anxlousy, yet not with such anxiety as a
child should feel in awaiting the return of a pa
rent
Shuddering she rose and walked hastily uT
and down the orchard path
why is it thusP-shc exclaimed. Why wa.
l not a senseless clod, if was to live as | live
nowl Evil words are spoken in my ears-ev
deeds done and not hidden from me; every wo
manly and holy feeling is trampled on and des
pissed; every warm affection that would have
chung to all that is good and pure turns to gal
and bitterness, corroding my very heart, VIVA
have done to deserve thsF
Again she threw herself on the ground, anc
lay there like a crushed flower, whose sweet life
of joyous sunshine cannot recall. At this mo
ment two children passed down the lane, and il
the stiffness, Annie heard the words they spoke
She said God had forsaken her. said ont
child, and that there was no comfort for sucl
as she was
'And what did he tell herr inquired the sec
ond child
He said he would not comfort her with hi
own words, so he took the bible and read
Whom the Lord loveth, He chasteneth; ant
then, Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall
be comforted.''
The young voices died away in the distance
but their words were as message from Hcaye
to Annie's de8oate heart She repeated aga
and again, Blessed are they that mourn, no
blessed are the gay, and the loved and happy
but Blessed are they that mourn There j
hope, there is comfort for mel
From the happier train of thought into whic
she had fallen, she was reused by loud voice.
Annie! where are you! Never at your post
lazy onep
Other and harsher words followed, but Ami
bore them in silence She flew to prepare tn
evening meal, and then stood ready to wait upo
her father, once more repeating to herself thos
words that were for her so full of encouragement
Her greeting to her brother was answered as usu
al, coarsly and unkindly; but his rudeness wa
far less disagreeable to her than the attempte
civility of a third person. whom her father ha
brought guest. Annie had seen this ma
before, and her pure and sensitive nature haC
from the first, instinctlvely shrunk from hin
Now, however, embodened, as it seemed, b
Mr.. Carrs encouragement he venured to az
dress Annie in a tone of familiarity that shocke
and disguised her. He drew from his bosom
handsome gold chain of foreign workmanship
and endeayored to clasp it round her neck, sa,
ing as he did so,
There, my fair one it is for such as 20
that these things were made You'll wear it ft
my sake, won't you, my dearP
Annie pushed back the gift
NAY, my sweet one he continued, it's nc
often that gold is flung back to the giyer $
scornfulIy. You may take it from me-from M
you know, my darngp
A loud laugh from young Carr greeted tn
speech, and Annie turned trembling to her fail
er, from whom she had right to look f
for protection from insult, But he answered he
humble appeal with frown.
Listen to me, gil, he said fercely, Jane
Brice has, but few days ago, saved your f
theirs life, and l have sworn you shall be h
wife. Let us have no more foolery of this sor
do you heart My words have seldom been was
ed, andI recommended you to change your tor
at once nnless -,