The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-04-25

'HS opcu WOOu, InGClluB Win no one 10 eN-
cite alarm, and then turned into broad path
cut through the midst of Il deep Forest
Here the air, which had begun to grow hot
and sultry where there was little to break
the sunshine, was deiciously cool, and the
wild-tlowers that studded the path, clustered
around the roots the trees, whenever they
were crushed beneath the horses feet, gave
out their dying sweetness, which arose with
the dew that was silently ascending TO heav-
en-, whence It came. A liquid stream of
wild-bird music floated around her swelling
out now and then, into one of those raptur-
Gus and bewdering gushes of melody, over
which the hooking bird, quivcring in ecstacy
TO its own music, alone has power. The
horse invigorated by the increased GOODNESS,
darted forward with accelerated speed, while
the raven curls of the fair rider, waving at
each light and bounding step, were decked
with tie gold which the sunbcams sent down
IN showers through the green boughs. But
the noontidc langour and Illness of Il south
ern cline searched out the cool, deep wood,
and Emily at last checked her now weary
horse by the side of Il spring, bubhling up,
with n cool murmuriug sound from It's deep
hidden source, and surrounded by narrow
rim of pure silvery sand, round which the
moss and wild flowers pressed 10 catch the
spray as 1t fell. While Emily leaned against
the trunk of an old oak, listening to the low
dreamy hum Of the insect tribes, for the
birds were all mute, nesting in the shadows
oftlle cool green leaves, the dread of being
intercepted, or perhaps rudey treated by
some enemy Of her country, which for the
last hour had been creeping over her, fell
heavily upon her spirits. She was aware
that it was but physical WEAKNESS, joined to
the oppressive heat OF the noon-duy hour,
that was thus crushing the courage aud ell
ergy which had first animated her, as borne
along by the rapid motion of the light footed
steed, she inhaled delicious and invigorating
draughts of the cool morning air.
An hour, and yet another had passed. and
still leaning against the oak, she permitted
her horse TO crop the grass and heritage, or
drink nj the spring that gushed up at her feet;
for the birds that still remained silent, shell
tering themselves beneath the boughs, told
her that the burning heat of the sun was not
yet aiiayed. After long time, breezy
sound crept along the tops of the slivcring
trees, and radiant wings began to glance in
the titful light. Emily called her horse,
which, lifting his small head and shaking his
graceful name, was the next moment at her
side.
The path was now narrow and in some
places tangled, whicl, obliged her TO proceed
nj very slow pace. As the day declined,
she began 10 think ofsome shelter for the
night, and felt many apprchensions lest she
should be obliged To spend it in the open air,or
what was worse, fall upon some tory habita-
ton, whose inmates might mistrust her err
rand, and prevent her from performing her
journey. She suddenly came upon a broad
cart-way which crossedher barrow and OBJ
structed path. She drew up the horse hest
tated few moments, and permitted him TO
take his course. Without hesitation he
struck into the more open way, and in hafan
hour, glimpses ola plantation could be dis
covered through the trees. Uncertain wheth-
err she had better seek the hospitality of the
owner, or endeavor to search out some more
obscure abode, she proceeded more slowly.
Her irresolution was only mOmentary, for
turning her eye towards the western horizon,
she perceived that the mass otgold and pur-
Pile clouds which short time before had how
cred over the setting sun, were uleady parting
with their brightness.
4 few minutes more, and she was at the
door Of the mansion, where lady stood ready
to welcome her, who had been watching her
The lady conducted her to a well
apartment, and, though with true
delicacy, she abstained from asking her any
questions informed her in the course of con-
vcrsaton, that her name was TherwitS, and
that her son, who owned the plantation was
at present serving rs subaltern under Gen.
Sumter.
Emily being thus satisfied relative 10 the
political sentiments of her hostess, Veuturcd
to disclose the objects of her journey, which
though it awakened fears for her safety, elicit
ed le warmest appreciation.
supper was speedily served, and then,
mindful of EmiIy's fatguing ride, Mrs. Their
wits showed her chamber, where in bed
furnished with snow-white drapery, she was
soon enjoying the the luxury of sound and
quiet repose.
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