Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-06-25

land was our mother-and, and every good thing
was English, in the popular mind. Jane was
neither belle nor beauty, nor could she play
on an instrument, or sing note What he
roine. But she had what was better than beau
ty, sweet temper; what was worth more than
the music of harp or piano, weak and tender
spirit; what is a firmer basis of domestic happi-
ness than all the accomplishments of the belle,
an afectionae heart, and fund of excellent
common sense-artices that heroines, | know
well, have not the least occasion for in the world
But Jane was not heroine She WIS one of
those plain, unpretending women made for dali
ly use, and fitted for life's tolls, and life's
trials.
No angels for me! No heroine for my house.
hold Give me the piano of soft words, the
forte of good deeds, the harp of a sHeet temper,
the philosophy of sound judgment, the logic
of loving heart, and the French and Latin of
humble piety.
God gave me companion who combined
both qualities Ever give me the sense, tenn
per, Judgment, benifcence, gentleness and piety,
rather than all the host of requirements The
last may shine on strangers and the guests of
the blazing drawing room, the first will spread
a cheerful glow of peace and joy around my
Preside
Jane was loved-she deserved it with the ar
dor of her gentle nature do not believe she
was capable of one grand passion. So much
the better, for li(e's companion. Who wants
a volcano Of love or wrath, ever at his elbow
| Il H. ,oIo ;,1
the crater of Cotopax, or Vesuvius. But one
would rather live in the sweet valley of the Ar
no, or West River. (Quite as lovely, is the last,
in every natural charm, only it is so near home
that body can gain no credit by visit to its
smiling scenes.)
Thanksgiving day, when all true sons and
daughters of all yankeedom desire to be welded,
as a matter of course, was to crown the happi-
ness of James and Jane. 1t wanted but few
weeks to it. Rumors of James bad habits had
reached her ears, and filled her with anxiety
But then every body drank it was doubtless
exaggerated she would trust only her own
eyes, in matter that concerned her life's
hopes
She sat awhile at the open window, the
. afternoon of the election day He will Ger.
tainly stop, as he goes home, and spend the
evening
Away she fastened to prepare the evening
repast Many tempting delicacy was drawn
forth from its closet for that supper. Jane wa!
not one of those who, installing idIeness ant
meanness for gentility, are too proud to work
with their own hands She did work, wash
mend, and-horror of Enthusiastically spin
No wonder, she was no heroine. Since thu
time of SoIomon's model of good women, VIII,
has heard of a heroine's soilng her hands, a
q the wheel or loom. The plain truth is, OLE
q King Solomon was fool, not at all up to thes
=. times Of civilization and refinement His book
. need expurgation to suit the times in which W
Fl live A committee of twenty-five Baltmor
e bellies should set about it forthwith.
The supper was prepared, and Jane ha
=. smoothed every stray hair, and curl, and ringe
= when, as she hoped, James entered the room
d she turned eagerly to meet him, and re
n ceved the loathsome kiss of a drunke
d man.
# How she got through that sad event, sh
could not tell. Brief were their words. Jane
! 0ouId talk of their marriage.
y 1t must be defened-till-ull spring.
she at length stammered forth.
l. What is the reason? | insist on know
' ingP
e IL cannot get ready. Besides you
house will hardly be painted by Thanksgiv
q ing
t That is not your reason. SOMEBODY ha
been setting you against me. You shall tel
e me your reason, he urged, innamed both wit
d alcohol and raving anger
She burst into tears, but her grief did not SC
Der him When had woman's tears any pow
er to move drunken man! For the first tim
5 in his life, he uttered prolane oath in We
mans hearing, as he brutaIy declared she Shout
@ speak and not weep.
q 90 James, james! lcannot marry drunk ard
i He did not wait for another word, but nearI
sobered by the shock, fastened away from tn
house Her calls to return he would not hear
4 Bitter were his thoughts as he slowly walked u
the lane to his home.
s. Business is failing, honor is gone, love i
n lDoI' w HO CdlSS lOI Hlc! nave OILY ONT
$ friend left He FASTENED his steps, and sool
forgot his remorse in the first scene of ntoxica
ton which had ever defed his home
: His downward career was rapid one. Be
fore spring he was incapable of managing hi
business, and it was put into the hands of others
This maddened him, and drunkenness became
$ the daily rule of his life, sobrety the rare ex
ception.
+. Now was developed one of the darkest trait
in our nature, in the rumseler's refusal to re
lease victim. Money was kept from him, ant
every merchant far and near was both legally
forbidden and earnestly enreated to withhold the
: cup of darts from him. But with several it wa.
t vain. They would supply his ravng thirst fol-
poison.
noI,, Ii