Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-03-07
GREEN MOGNwAIN FREEMAN.


erty. however, stood confessed The Artist arose
upon the entrance of his vister, in whom he re-
cognized the street acquaintance of the evening
previous, and having handed him chair, hoped
that the fright he had receiyed wasnot accompa-
MED with any serious consequences
'No sir; thanks to your presence of mind, |
escaped even the knowledge of my danger; but
have called upon you, sir, somewhat earlier than
| expected; misery knows no time nor space"
"Speak, sir; you have my promise, and the
word of Henry Seymour has never yet been bro
ken"
"You should at least know something of one
YOU are about to befriend You see a man, sir
on whom fortune once lavished her choicest gifts;
one who, though not regardless of the duty of a
father, forgot in a moment of wild speculation,
every obligation that should have taught him bet
ter; from that splendid dream of riches he awoke
to grasp, instead of wealth, iron poverty and
now, sir-yes!--th once rich merchant, with
funds and means at command, asks from sran-
ger the loan of fifteen dollars to keep his little
furniture from the grasp of an avariciohs land
lord"
"No more, sir; no more; I read your history
last night; here are twenty dolars-return to
your home, and may fortune be more propitous
to you"
"Thanks, young man, thanks! May Heaven
---hai what is that Whose likeness is that
speak"
(Which one?''
"That--that" pointing to the portrait to
which we have so frequently alluded
The Artist, with his eyes rivcted upon the old
man, calmly exclaimed 81 know not"
But how-where did you get it? All! l be-
gin to see the vile cloak Of your charity. Yes,
all men are alike---base and selfish. There, sir,
take your money; you know me- you would buy
the father to ruin the child"
Child---old man, drive me not mad---your
child! Father of Heaven, do | hear aright!-
Does that picture resemble your daughter!"
The very counterpart"
"And she----she lves!"
"Young man, farewell---you cannot deceive
me-"
"Stay! you shall notnay, you must not leave
me! Listen---life itself rests upon this moment
Some six years ago, near Paramount, | was the
humble instrument of rescuing young girl ant
her father from banditti---"
All were you that brave youth!--then have
not dreamed it,"
"Dreamt WHAT All to me since that houl
has been fearful dream. Old man, that bright
face, since that fearful moment, has been to me
my life, my soul. | have worshipped her image
in the pale moonlight on the hills beneath which
saved her Do not mock me, old man---do no
darken the ray of light which now beams upon
this acerated heart Speak---does that resem
bic your childF'
1t is my child. l am the man you sayec
from robbers, and my daughter lives
"And--answer me- land the youth tottereC
to chair--'not married."
'No, thank Heaven, for now | can make hel
happy; young man, she loves you"
Gloves me---whom she saw but once"
"But once and like you, she has lived on thu
remembrance cf that hour"
Then am loved as man never was love-
before"
A few weeks after the events above described
Henry Seymour and his beloved sat side by sid
each other, and in that sweet converse, whe
souls hold communion, did they talk of the past
1t was pleasing retrospection, for the pages c
loves book were opened one by one, as the
talked on, and then indeed were they happy. I
was moment ofraptwe to the Artist; the poe
or the painters art could not picture it. Til
cheerful smile of the old man, as he gaze
upon them, was that of JOY; and it fell upon thei
union of hearts, as a blessing on that season c