Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-04-18

tie light on the darkest scenes OF life
Morning broke at length over the distant hills,
and Alice, hnging open the easement felt refresh
ed by the cool breeze, and gladdened BY the har-
mony of the BIRDS already up and at their prisons.
and exchanged kind good morrow with the pens 4.
ants going forth at their early labor No wonder
that those rough, untutored men, pazinr onward on
her pale, cain, face, and listening to her gentle
tone iet sort OF superstltious reverence in their
hearts, as though there was a blessing in that kind
! Iy greeting, which BODIED of good.
| The widow noticed with that qucksrhtedness
OF affection which even the very blind seem gifted
within the presence of those they love that her
child looked If possible thought paler than usu
al and Tor all the bright smile that met hers every
time Alice, feeling conscious of her gaze looked
/ up from her work, marked how YEARLY the heavy
eyellds dropped over the aching eyes and vet she
never dreamed of the deception which had been
pHcuced IN love, to soothe and nlay her fond anx-
! lety and the girl was well content that it should
be so.
! 1t so happened that about noon as she sa, spin.
nlng III the cottage porch, the new landlord passed
that way on horseback. and was struck with her
sad and wearled Iooks--ior Of late she had indeed
Loilod Beyond her strength, and this additional ia
ugne was almost too much for her. But still that
stern man said within himself 1t is ever thus with
the poor they work hard when actually OBLIGED to
do 50, and 1t Is just punishment for their IMPROVE
dence ana Idleness at other times. And yet he adj
dcd, moment AFTER as he turned his horses head,
hall llngerlngly, SHE is very young too
Alice looked up at the sound of retreatinr foot
steps, buttoo late for her to catch that half reent.
ing glance, or 1t might have encouraged her to ask
an eXtenuatlon OF the time allotted her-aye, even
1t 1t were but one single day but he had pessed
on ere the timid girl could Danish from her mind
the fearful remembrance of his former harshness
Another weary day and sleepess night glided on
thus, and the third evening found her still at her
spinning, with the same smile on her lips, and hope
and trust in her breast.
Is there nothing that can do to help YOU my
Alice! asked her mother, who grieved to see her
obliged TO toll so hard
Nothing unless indeed, you will tell me some
tale OF ola times, as you used to years ago, when
was child
why, you are but child now,' said the widow
with mournlul smile and then inwardly compar-
ing her lot with that Of other girls ofthe same zoe
she relapsed into train ofsad musings, and Alice
knew that they were sad, by the quiyering lip and
contracted brow.
Come, mother dear said she, Il am waiting to
hear your story!
And then the widow began to relate some sim
pie "reminiscences Of by gone times, possessing
strange interest for that lonely girl, who knew SO
little OF life, save in these honely and Transient re-
vealings falling asleep in the midst through wea-
rness, for she ever grew weak and exhausted as
night came on; but presently awoke again half be-
wildered
Where was |, Alice Z? asked the invalid gently.
Asleep, dear mother | was in hopes' replied
her Conpanlon with q smile,
'Oh forgive me, could not help it, But you
will not sit up very long
mo, no. good night
Good night and God bless you my child said
the widow; and few minutes afterwards Alice
was again the only wakeful thing in that little cot
tage, II indeed she could be called so with half
closed eyes aud wandering thoughts although 1t is
true the busy fingers tolel on mechanically at their
task. The very clock licked with dull drowsy
sound and the perpetual whizzing of her wheel
seemed almost like lullaby.
Presently the girl began to sing in low voice
in order to keep herself awake, hymns as usual
low plalntire, and soothing, while the widow heard
them III her sleep, and dreamed Of heaven. But ali
would not do, and she arose at length and walked
nolselassy up and down the room trying to shake
OFT the drowsy feelings that oppressed and weighed
down upon her so heavily. Aud then, opening the
easement, sat by it to catch the cool breath of night
upon her fevered brow, aud watch the myriad stars
looking down in their calm and silent beauty upon
earth. How naturally prayer comes at such times
as these. Alice clasped her faded hands invoun-
tarlly, and although words were uttered her
heart prayed We have called her pure in love,
aud innocent; but she of her hoicr wisdom knew
that She was but weak und erring creature after
ALL aud took courage only from remembering that
there is One who carcth even for the very flowers
OF the field, and how much more for the children of
EARTH But gradually as she sat thus in the pale
starlight the white lids dropped over the heavy
eyes-hcr hands unclasped and sunk slowly and
llstlessly down; the weary and toilworn frame had
found rest at last
And then the room seemed filed on u sudden
with strange brightness, and where poor Alice
had sat first while at her Wheel is an angel with
shining hair and ralment white and radiant as a
sunbeam, while another bends gently over the
sumberer, and looking first at her and then on her
companion, smiles ptyingly; and the girl smiles
too IN her sleeps and as it still haunted by her ia
vorlte hymn tunes, sings again very family and
sweetly, until the sounds die lingeringly away at
length upon the still night air. Fast and noscless.
ly ply these holy ones at their love task, while the
whzzlng of the busy wheel, accompanied by
gentle rushing sound, as of wings, alone disturbed
the profound silence Of that little chamber. And
now morning broke again over the earth, and their
mission performed, they have sped away to their
bright home rejoicing!
Alice awoke trembling from her long and re
freshlng slnmber, thinking how she must work
douOly hard TO redeem those lost hours. She drew
her wheel towards her-she looked wildly at it,
rubbing her eyes to be sure that she was not dream
ing tncn gazed around the quiet apartment where
all remained Just us she had left it; but Tie task
the heavy task for which she had marked out four
more weary days aud nights oftol and feared even
then not having time enough to complete it, lay
ready finished before her. But after a little while
the girl ceased to wonder, or remembering to whom
she had prayed on the previous night, guided by an
unerfug instinct knet down and poured out her
iull heart in gush of pray erlul thanksgiving to
Heaven! And we can almost fancy the angels
Standing little way off and smiling on each other
and on her, even as they had done before, and re-
jocing intheir own work.
We are told in the legend, that from that hour
The widow and her good and pious child never
knew want again. 1t may be that Alice's employ
er was pleased with her diligence aud punctuaIity
or the stern landlord shaned out of his prejudices
by the unlocked for appearance of the glowing and
happy face Of his tenant three days before the an
pointed time, with the money ready and many
grateful thanks besides, for what she termed his
kindness in waiting so long for it; or there was
charm in that web woven by holy hands, which
brought Alice many more such tasks, with better
payment, and longer time to complete them. The
only thing that makes us sad in this simple and
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