The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1845-01-23


men, who, without being actually hard
hearted, have a peculiar creed Of their owl
with regard to the poor, which they ar
never weary of repeating holding power
ty to be but another name for idleness, o
even crime a baneful error which ha
done much 10 plunge its unhappy victim
into their present fallen condition aud ye
even he was touched by her tears, ant
meek deprecotins words, and consented t
give her another weeks grace, in which
she reckoned 10 have finished and paid 70
the work she then had in the house.
ut will be a lesson 10 her not TO be be
hind hand in future" thought her sterr
companion, when he found himself alone
mo doubt the girl has been idIng of late
or spending her money on that pale color
ed hood. she wore, (ulthough, soolh to say
nothing could have been more becoming
TO her delicate complexion,) Instead O.
having i! ready as usual" Aud yet,
sleeping or waking, her grateful thanks
haunted him strangely, almost winning
him 10 gentler thong hts--we say almost,
for deep rooted prejudices such as his
were hard--very hard--!o overcome.
Alice returned home with light heart.
"Well ?" said the widow, anxiousIy.
Gal! right, mother with Gods bes>
sing, we will keep the dear old cottage in
which you tell me you were born,- -"
"And hope to de-"
"Nol yet--not yeI dear mother p ex-
claimed the girl, passionateIy. What
would become Of your poor Alice, if she
were 10 lose you2"
"And yet, am bu! burden on your
young life
"No, no-a blessing rather p
Alice was right; labor and toll only
ask an object-,-something to love, and
care, and work for, to make it enlurable
and even sweet! And then, kissing her
mother and Saying no! word of all she
had TO do, the girl took off the well-pre>
served hood and cloak which had given
rise to such unjus: animadversions, and
putting them carefully aside, sat down in
n hopeful spirit to her wheel. The dark
cloud which had hung over her in the
morning, seemed already breaking, aud
she could even fancy the blue sky again
in the distance.
All that day she only moved from her
work 10 prepare their simple meals, or
wait upon the helpless but unseIfsh inva-
I'D. who, but for the eye Of watchtul love
bent upon her, would have striven pain
fully TO perform many little duty for
herself, rather than tax hose willing hands
always so ready TO labor in her behalf.
And when night came, fearing 10 cause
hal dear mother needless anxiety, Alice
ay down quietly by her side, watching,
until she had fallen asleep; and then rls-
ing noise less y, returned to her endless
asks. But she had cverrated her powo
srs, and was not aware Of the much Ion>
ger time it would take for the completion |
If the labor than she had allowed herself
But it was too late 10 think of this now
he trial must be made, and Heaven, she |
doubted not, would give her strength to
20 through with it.
Morning broke at length over the dis
ant hills; and Alice hinging OMEN the
asement lelt refreshed by The cold breeze,
nd gladGened by ttehummine ofthe birds
lready up 81 at their prisons or exchaDq.
d kind good morrow with The peasants
-oing fo-th to their early labor.
The widow noticed, with that quick
lghtedness of affection which even the
cry blind seem gifted with in the pres
nee oflhose they Ioye,that her child look
d If possible, a thought paer than usual;
nd for all the bright smiles that mel hers
very time Alice, feeling conscious of her
axe looked up from her work, marked
ow the heavy eyeIids dropped over the
ching eyes, yet she never dreamed of the
exception which had been pracliced in love
soo!he and aIlay her fond Anxiety; and
lie girl was well content that it should be
ltso happened that about noon, as she
1t spinning in the cottage porch, the new
'ndlord passed-tbat way on horseback.
nd was struck with her sal and wearied
,oks. But sill that stern man said with.
! himself
''lt is ever thus with the poor, they
'ork hard when actually oblie ed TO do SO
nd it is a nst punishment for their i'm
rovIdence and idleness at other lmes.--
nd yet he added, moment after, as he
rned his horses head, half lingeringIy,
she is very young, too"
Alice looked up at the sound of retreat :
g footsteps, but TOO late for her 10 catch J
at half relenting glance, or it migh q
ave encouraged her 10 ask on extension
the time allotted her-aye, even if it t
ere but one single day but,he had pass r
on ere the timid girl could Danish from G
n mind the fearful remembrance of his G
rmer harshness. y
Another weary day and seepless night a
ided on thus, and the third evening f
ind her sliIl at hel spinning with the
me smile on her lips, and hope and trust
her breast.
~ Is a. Il