The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-09-05

| ffiendless and forlorn-and that unable TO
pay the rent of a wretched cellar, the cruel
landlord had thrust her forth with her child
into the pittiless streets TO die-tor die she
knew she must, there was such load upon
her heart, and were ii not for her poor child,
she cared not how soon she was laid at rest
in the quiet graveyard. Nelly spoke words
ofcomfort to her, and assisting her to rise,
babe her lean upon her; and taking the little
attenuated hand of the child in hers, she led
them to her miserable abode. That shelter
which the rich man denied, the Rag-gatherer
freely gave, and with it-kindness!
In her work of benevolence it seemed as if
renewed strength and agility were given her.
She placed her on her straw pallet-coarse,
but clearly; she chafed her hands and poured
her out cup ofwater, which she succeeded
in getting her to drink; nor in the meanwhile,
had she forgotten to give into the hands ofthe
furnishing child generous slice of bread.-
How tenderly she smoothed the pillow of the
poor young creature, and bathed her throb-
bing temples But all would not do--life was
evidently ebbing fast away. Remembering
there was u physician not far of, she has
tened with all speed to summon him. There
was apparently a struggle with this disciple of
Galen at crossing the Threshold of one so
miserable, for OH tiptoeing careful steps he
entered-iust glanced toward the bcd-pro-
nounced the patient 'tceH enough and would
have retreated, but the long fingers Of Nelly
seized his arm with the grip of a tigress-her
black eyes flashing both with anger and con-
tempt as she said
Stay! and fear not your services will
go unpaid Here is gold for you! Save
this poor woman, ifin your power, for the
sake ofthat helpless babel
Although the eyes ofthe doctor suddenly o.
pened wide at the eXigency of the case, a. al
though he felther pulse,& administered some
soothing stimulant, il needed more than the
hand ofman to strengthen anew the silver
cord Ere morning she died. with her last
breath commenting the orphan to the protec-
ton of the old woman. CAS- God reads my
heart, Ipromise you your child shall be as my
own whispered Nelly, bending over the dy-
ing woman. Twill protect her aud keep her
from harm. All that one like me can do, l
willn
The mother fixed her eyes upon the good
creature, tried to speak her thanks aud then
clasping her child to her bosom, her wearied
spirit sank to rest. The Rag-gatherer then
: prepared the body for its final bed-trom her
boarded gains she purchased Il decent coffin
and then when all was ready, she called in u
clergyman to perform the last mournful rites
In an obscure corner of 'potters' Field the
young stranger was buricd-tnticept-
kRoi0nn .,.
As the hearse disappeared, Nelly again
bolted the doorand taking the weeping child
upon her knee strove to comfort her She
gazed long and tenderly upon the sweet face
of the little orphan, and il was one which well
repaid the scrutiny. She was gentle, tmid
child, with great delicacy of form and feature
| Light, golden hair, waved in silken ringlets o.
yer a brow and neck of dazzling fairness
eyes ofbeuatitul deep blue, seeming, from their
mourntu cast to bespeak at once your love
and pity, and IA rosy little mouth, inviting the
kiss it sweetIy returned Her mother had
called her Violet and Nelly had asked no 9th
err name. And now this poor old creature
so long un object of contempt, and even con-
tumely by the crowd, had found something
upon which TO lavish her peut up affections
"a being more helpless than herself to cherish
she so long friendless and unsightly to the
eye, received now the artess caresses of this
pure, lovely child. The walls of her dwell
ing, late so dismal and desolate. were sudden
w filled with life and music From the day
she had sworn to protect the little Violet, old
Nelly seemeda changed being. Her tones
were now low and gentle her tootstep noise
less, MS if she feared her happiness all an illu.
sion that the least rudeness might dispel, ol
that the little being she had so learned TO love
was but vision which breath might dis
solve; and old and decripit as she was, hel
! goodness made her lovely in the eyes of the
: child.
As Violet grew older, the old woman grad
| ualy withdrew from her habitual rounds and
devoted her time more to the instructions of
, her young charge. She taught her to read
and spell correctly-guided her little hand in
, learning her TO write, and was continually
storing her mind with lessons oftruth and
| purity. Words ofsuch beauty seemed strange
/ issuing from the mouth of one whose life ap
peared TO have been a scene of cruel toll and
privation! She instructed her in all branch
es ofneede work, even to the finest embroid
ery-yes, those fingers, used to plucking the
} rags and rubbish from unsavory sewers, now
threaded the variegated worsteds, and beau
teous buds glowed beneath her hand!
Allow few years to pass unnoted, and vi
olet is again before us. She had now reach
3 ed her fourteenth year, and neither though
= nor wished for other home than the roof OF
Y the Rag gatherer. Those four walls were tn,
9 world to her, and there her days had passed
: in peace and happiness. Nelly was usual.
: absent many hours in the day, and rarely re
: turned before night. Where those were pass
: ed was mystery she never divulged even t.
Violet, who was employed the meanwhile
! contentedly with her needle and in perusins
: the very lew DOCKS WHICH tue Ola WOtIluH NAT
}; managed to procure. Day after day, as sh,
s threw her bag over her shoulders TO depart
+ Nelly would enjoin upon Violet never to b.
v seen at the windows above, & on no accoun
f to open the gate, no matter how hard it wa
: assailed, and without murmur Violet ha'
i strictly obeyed. But one day, and brigh
g sunny one it was too, when she could hea
the birds singing, and the insects chipping a
/ mid the grass, Violet perhaps for the frs