Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-10-08
From the Baltimore Saturday Iisiter.
THE DRIP HAMS 'i'ALIS]IlN.
A STORY IN TWO PARTS.
LADY OF BALTIMORE.
PART FIRsT.-CuArrER I.

=
lnging their giant shadows across the bosom OF
the noble Hudson; whilst, ever and anon Hood
Of golden light poured into the darkened valley
beneath, mingng its sparkling beams with the
crimson and purple hues of the forest Various
were the groups assembled on the deck OF the
steamer N, in silent admiration of the sub
lime scenery, as she proudly cleft the bright wa
tiers, leaving in her wake broad path Of dan
cling foam.
Among the number who stood thus spell
bound by the spirit of beauty was a gentleman
past the meridian of life, Of noble and ariso-
cratic bearing; his jetty locks, as they chung
around his expansive brow, slightly shaded by
the pencil of time, together with the olive tinge
of his manly features bespoke him native Of
a more tropical cline Leaning upon his arm
was lady, perhaps some ten years younger, of
gentle and delicate appearances alternately
withdrawing her eyes from the absorbing scene,
she raised them to the countcnance Of her com
panion listening to catch the words Of rapture
about to burst from his lips Near by stood a
bright glad creature of seventeen summers, the
gentle breezes sporting playfuliy with her
dark chestnut curs, as they escaped from be-
meath her straw hat while her deep hazel eyes,
beaming with all the mild lustre of the mellow
light which tipped the mountain hills, were in
tently fixed upon young lady, about one year
her senior, who was leaning against the railing
of the vessel, attired in garb of Mourning
Her hands were casped tightly together, and
her deep blue eyes fxedly bent towards the set
ting sun; while with parted lips, and npturned
face, she seemed communing with some inylsI-
BILE spirit; her melancholy features growing more
and more radiant, until her lovely countcnauce
appeared lit up with an almost supernatural bril-
lancy Mr. Somer's eyes had been resting up
on her for some minutes, when Emma e&cIam-
ed: 'Oh, father, is she not beautiful, nas she
not the face of an angel?
A sudden motion of the boat, at this momen',
aroused her; when perceiying that she was an|
object of attention, deep blush sudusad her
cheek and temples, and, turning towards the
river, she continued to watch the eddying
foam
Who can she bel continued the sangaae
Emma; will you not speak to her papa?
Not so hasty, my child, said her father
you know ! have often waraed You not to be
too precipitate, in forming acqu7intanccs
But papa continued she, taking his hand,
and gazing into his face, surely there can be no
harm in simply speaking to her Help me NAM
ma, said she, turning playfqlly to the lady be
fore mentioned; papa is laughing at me-
At this moment two young men, iashionably
dressed, approached the spot where the young
stranger stood, and pursued conversation, re-
specting her beauty, sufficiently loud to reach
the ears of the object. She turned to retire to
the cabin, when Mr.. Sumner stepped to her
side, leading his wife and daughter; and, bend
ing upon the ntruders look of naughty con-
tempt they covered away to another part of the
boat, The stranger paused, and politely ack-
nowedgng Mr.. Summers gaantry by grace
full inclination of the head, turned away to hide
the rising tear. Mrs Sumner, gently taking
her hand, begged her to remain and enjoy the
evening breeze The chord of motberIy sym
palhy within her sensitive bosom was touched,
and it seemed to vibrate in the heart of the
gentle stranger; for turning towards her with
sweet smile, which spoke her thanks, she made
some remarks respecting the beauties of the
Landscape. You are great lover of nature
said Emma, gazing admiringy in her face, while
her own glowing features beamed with joy.
am replied She 'but | fear that | have
given too much expression to my emotions in
place SO public. 1t was, she confined, the
animation reminding in her pensIye features,
the associations clustering around me, that be-
trayed me into lorgetfnlhess Of where | was
May ask said MIR. Sumner with a smile,
what those associations were which inspired
such expressions of happinessF
Il was thinking, answered she, 'as saw the
glorious god of day retiring from our view, how
embIematic of the Immortality Of the soul, aud
faith it passes from our vision, earth shrouds
herself in dim shadows; yet we know-we know
that, although our eyes behold it no more--it
still CLEANS in undimmed splendor, and that it
will soon return to chase away the mists of dark
ness, at such moments my thoughts ascend be-
yond times VEIL while faith leads me still high
or, and almost hear the celestial strains which
are hymned around the throne Of God, by the
redeemed
Il have often thought, said Mr.. Sumner, ga
zing upon the young being before him, with
feelings of reverence, when have stood amid
the sublime and beautiful works of nature, and
felt mysoui dissolve withpeasing melancholy, or
bound with holy delight, that all around me
poured forth songs of inconceivabIe harmony in
grateful praise to the Creator. We feel the
effect, while the mortal ear is too much attuned
to the gro8ser notes of earth, to catch the etbe-
real cause
Yes said the stranger, (whom in future we
shall call Ada Merton,) 'aIl particles Of matter
spoken into existence by an omnlpoent voice
must acknowledge the power by which they exist
"Ths is strikingIy illustrated in the mighty
falls of Niagara" continued Mr.. Sumner, "he
mind seemS overweight with its own emotions,
and, as the endless world of water rolls in aw-
full thunder down the fathomess abyss, naughtI
floats before the mental vision but infnitude.-
Language cannot portray the sensations which