Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-05-16

against the firm reef of rocks, which stood
as strong rampant TO the fsherman's cot.
II was cold, fearful storm to the foresters,
and Sally moved her chair close TO the pro-
tecting side of her good lord. The winds
ceased Cor moment, and pitiiul moan from
without fell upon their ears.
They have come, said the old dame, as
she sprung fright(ully into the sinewy arms
of her comprehensive witches, the robbers.
Poh, Sally, them days have gone by
don't give way TO silly notions will Just
step TO the door, and see what sort Of an an
mal it is--for sartin il is strange to hear
any thing like a human voice round our
dwelling, on a night like this. May be
huntsman of the forest has lost his way,
and is frightened by the dark wild tempest.
o, don't go, John, said the anxious wife,
with touching entreaty as he advanced to-
ward the door, they will carry you off, on
this dreadful nght-the witches, the rob-
bers-oh stay, stay John.
Sally, don't let foolish fears overcome ev-
cry kind and benevolent feeling of your
heart You was Just now thanking your
stars that | returned before the storm came
on. May be some one needs warm supper
and seat by our comfortable FIRE if so, old
John Wilson will never be guilty of prevent
ing them by cowardice. Never mind, Sally,
I've sinewy arm and strong nerve, and no
coward Thus saying, he opened the door,
and shouted at the top of his voice, Who's
there?
Just then the light streamed from the open
door and fell upon figure Of female, young
and delicate, to appearance, reclining against
the side Of the house, vainly endeavoring TO
screen lovely child from the bosterous
rain. She spoke in soft, sweet tone
Good sir, will you give to myself and infant
protection from the wind and rain Of the
night was guided hither by the friendly
light from your window, or | might have re-
manned through the night with no other pro-
lection but the cleft of rock or friendly
tree-the impenetrable darkness bid from
my view the entrance to your hosptable
mansion, and had almost despaired Of
shelter, when kind Providence sent you TO
the door.
She was seated by the bright blazing fire,
and the sight OF the infant drove away all
fears from the good dame, who was busy in
preparing change of clothing for the
stranger. She approached her with warm
cordial, but she had tainted, and like
dropping lilly, her head rested against the
high back of the old arm chair, into which
she had been seated on her entrance.
Oh John said Sally, wringng her hands
with fright, she is dead, aud they will hang
us on the charge of murder.
Sally, said the fisherman, with his usual
calmness, do your duty and you have nothing
10 fear. May be exhaustion, and the sudden
warmth of the fire have caused faintness );
we will put her into warm bed, and by
chatting the temples, and warm cordials, we
may soon restore her.
For a long time the restoratives proved in
efiectua, but at last she slowly returned to
life and consciousness.
: The Kind host and hostess watched by her
, bedside during the night. and at the dawn
ing of the following morning, finding the
I symptoms of the disease OF an alarming nat
ure, the fisherman set out for the nearest
physician, who was several miles from the
, cottage, thinking thus to gain some clue to
her identity She had not revealed her
name, aud they doubted not that she might
! BE- AN inhabtant of some of the villages, by
accident misguided by the darkness Of the
, night, although her whole appearance be-
SDOhC W NC vi u idtiuJ VI WCdhu
rank.
On the arrival of the physician he found
l her TO be in high state of fever, with little
encouragement ofrecovery. The previous
E nights exposure had been too much for her
a naturally delicate constitution. and he hint
e ed that provision should be made for the fn-
n ture welfare OF the child, a little girl about
G five months old, but the good coltagers were
r deaf to every proposal, as they wished to
i take her under their protection in case OF
e the mothers death.
o The PHYSICIANS visits were often repeat
y ed, but with little effect few days more
# would decide the case The invalid had
. been sleeping during the morning, while
i the tisherman's wife carefully watched by
h her bedside she awoke from her slumbers
Il calm and collected. She motioned the
good woman a little nearer, and asked for
:. her child 1t was placed by her side, and
T. after imprinting fond kiss upon its fair
;. brow, she asked, in weak tremulous voice
q To whom am indebted for these grea
II favorsl
r. Don't trouble Yourself about that, Madam
= said the hostess; we are friends 10 humanity
IS you shall not suffer for anything that we car
e do for you-keep calm and composed as pos
d sble a few days, and then you may be able
,r to converse a little.
N No, said the lady, feel that shall no
r, long survive my dear, prosecuted compan
~ ion, and the trying sorrows Of the past.
te would not desire life, were it not for thi
ii fond pledge Of my fidelity. When an
he gone, will you adopt her as your daughte
Sc and be unto her kind and tender mother