Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-12-04

WNicn NDGleu Il Iutl8 lCltiSS3 'iAN "N'o' - '''''
great number Of splrrows, who found refuge
at nrht in the stables of the Hotel, during the
Idav yainly sought for food Her heart so at
tuned TO beneyolence that she could not witness
lunmoyed the distress Of even the smallest of
Gods creatures, prompted her to extend them
relief Exposing herself to the rigorous cold,
she opened window, and stepping upon the
terrace swept from it the snow, with her own
hands When she had cleared spot large G.
Inourh she hastened to distribute thereon, grains
of different kinds; and to her joy she soon saw
aqht, an infinite number of birds, who devour-
ed the repast spread for them. Thus the coed
madame H. occupied herself every morning,
while many of her lGte sisters crowded around
her; some even yenturing 50 far as to peep IN at
the window of her apartment.
One day while abandoning herself to this
pleasure, one sparrow of the numerous flock
came and perched itself upon her head, descen-
ded to her shoulder and nestled in her bosom.
Madame II. attributed this boldness to the IN
tense cold, with which the bird appeared to h'
somewhat benumbcd so she fastened to warn
1t with her hands-to caress it-and entering her
apartment, approached the fire; but the bird IN
creased its Misunderstanding on her finger,
it pecked her hmd and alighting on her shout
der, it tapped its wings, as if wishP9 to express
gratitude to its benefactress. Somewhat puz-
zled by this demeanor, Madame II. thought that
3 it could be no other than pet sparrow belong
+; ing to some person in the neghborhood, and had
been attracted thither by the grain upon the ter
rice; so, after utIe time she re-opened the
window and said to the bird
If thou dost belong to any ono in the neigh
borhood they will be uneasy concerning thy fate
fly quickly and comfort these who mourn thy
absence If thou canst not find thy home, re-
turn to me, poor little wanderer. Oh! return
again to nestle in my bosom.
:, With these words she gave it kiss, and a
:; way it flew from her sight
i On the morrow, Mad lme Ilelyetins was pleas
ed to fnd again, among her daily mere ,sng flock
the little refugee who hld inspired her with Sc
mnch interest on the preceding dry So soon a:
o it had taken its mead, the ailectiunae bird flew
more fmliarly, iIplssible, thln before, to re
ceive a cares$ when, to her great surprise, Md
anne II. discovered, tn It around its neck was ras
tenet 4 nlrrow bpo ribbon, from which sIspen
ded the end of glove finger, forming tim
bag. Excited by the most lively curiosity sh
cagerIy examined it, and found within thin
ietf of paper folded into the smallest possibl
compass, upon which was written in dclicat
~ hand, the following lines from Racine;
Tho, cr,tost o+lor li4tIo b,-l, t,o;, C,.l
And thy kindness extends over all nature"
Moved with intense interest, Madlmc He
yctius perused the poscript attached to this flat
tering quotation.
!. 'Vrtuous persons in your neighborhood ar
anguishlng in need; would you do less for ther
than for the numerous feathered fmiIy whol
you nosrsh tHith food every morning
Doubtless not she exclaimed, abandonin
J. herself to every kind of euotou-'resist r,
quest so touching! impossihler
r., fastening to her cScratoire she took from
ID draft for six hundred livres which she depo
70 tied IN the little bag, and fastened it again
lie round the birds neck. Bestowng repeale
III kisses upon the interesting messenger, she wei
he ont upon the terrace, and babe it ny to reIi?,
e. those who were perhaps at that moment SUITE
ing the pon2s of cold and hunger Her eyt
H. altentiycy followed the direction Of the sDl
H. rows fight, hoping that she might thus disco
Is ct the spot where it alighted but no, the tre
I'd i'll the nei 5h5oring glrlcn5 intercepted her vie,
r. and NJ ldame Ileyctius, returning to her apar
rs ment abandoned herself to the sweetest rehc
1t, tons
k BY what means thought she, could tn
Z, flmIy have instructed simple sparrow to d
N rect its flight hitherward and perform the task
nj selecting me fer THEN beuefactcr! All no
r. anxious am to know them; to visit them. Wit
70 what touching deicacy the appeal was made.
ne The more | reflect the more | am lost in asto
US ishmeut'
Many days pissed, and brought not again t!
lie bird. Madame llevetus thought constant
Up of this strange adventure, bat was careful not
er Fpelk Of it to any one; for thus she would ha,
IN revealed a benevolent action, which if mac
I'd known, would have lost its merit Sometime
re the yivaciy of her brilliant Imagination, and Ii
H. profound knowledge eff the world, created in h,
ne mind the suspicion that she Ind been made tt
he sport Of some artful impcstor; for often anon
n the interesting aud worthy objects who ca
IN our commiseration, will steal those who mpos
n upon our ctedulity, and our confidence.
I'd AT last, one morning, while Madame IT, WI
IS sweeping the snow from the terrace for the dl
e. y distribution Of the grain, among tie bu,
~ which came iocking around--ior it appeared
so llaIl the birds in and about Paris attended II
morning Ieeee upon the terrace of the good Ma,
ne anne H.; she spicd the little faithful messcngt
us with its ribbon and bag
er Welcomed cries she, welcome! and
es thou hast for me another billet?
ne The bird seemed pleased and proud, an
IS wheelad around her hcld in grateful circles b.
fore alighting upon her hand
o. The bag was once more opened with deep
IS motion. while Nadine H. advanced to her c
n crtoirr that she might be ready to deposite
rnIo, { hoo.