The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-08-14


1t was morning-bcnutifiil morning-iu
that faircst season of the year
"Whcn April has wcpt itself TO May"
Earth awoke from her winter sleep, fresh
and glorious and young, as lift were but a
day since she bore on her bosom Adam and
Eve, and shed around them the flowers, and
brcezcs, and sunshine Of Eden. Beautifully
looked the Eternal Mother, in her ever re-
ncwcd youth, over which the change, and
misery, and crime of six thousand years have
passed like IL shadow, and left no trace.
There is no glamor like that of the pen;
and it has this surprising spell, that the mag
ic extends also to the one WHO Yields the
charm. Let us, therefore, in this wet and
gloomy day, when Il heavy mist hangs like II
STROUD over the drcary city-whcn under
our window sound the FLASHING foot falls Of
tired passers by, and the inccssant rattle Of
vchiclcs-lct us, amidst all this, call up to
our minds oyc the scene where our story be-
gins, and lingcr londly over that beautiful
spot, in tho delincation of which memory
strives with imagination.
1t was tho breakfast room ola house that
stood alone on hill sidc-onc ofthosc state
IL mansions lha. are found i'll England, far
in the country, where generation after gene
ration of tho old families of the gentry are
borIi live, and die: father, son, and grandson
occupying, in their turn the same abode, and
descending to the Same ancient stone monu-
mcnt hard by. Chccriully the warm
morning sun into the room, not stcalthIly, us
in early spring, but with glad overflow OF
light and warmth Frightening even the sol
cmn oak furniture, and contcnding braavely
with the tiny fire that was lit through habit,
until it fairly PIT out its puny antagonist aud
rcigned supreme. The long low windows,
on ono side opened on q formal, dainty little
flower garden, and then, winding through Il
smoath lawn, lay n narrow walk that led in
to the forest, on whose borders the house lay.
In three minutes one might pass into that
beautiful wood, wild rs if mans foot had nov
or entered it, and alive with the melodies of
leaves Quivcring in the morning brccZes.
The tender green OF the thorn mingled with
the dark holly, that hore We'd even with the
oak in size aud grandeur: the primrose look
inr out smiling from the roots ofthc old trees
and large beds; of the wood amcmonc or wind
flowers seemed like white, wave mantle
.asL over the long grass, i'll rCcesscs so thick
Ina, rot IL stray sunbeam could pierce
hrouuh. The loud song of the birds reach
ID even TO the house, like Il flood of aerial
music: the ringing carol ofthc lark, the deep
tote of the ;hrostlc, the sllvcry Wnrbic OF the
innct, and the soft COO the wood dove, all
ningling in sweet harmony.
Listening eagerly, with up turned i2cc'tna'
lid not shrink even from the broad dazzling
sunlight, sat little girl beside the open Win
low. Her soft hair falling in curls:thot pref
lest fashion fol child, was of thai hue
which gleam ofsunshino changes into godi
lor head was turned aside; but her attitude !
vas full ofchiljish grace with the little hands
rossed on her knee, motioa'ess, in silent
hought. Opposite to her was hoy~-hor
win Lro,hcr--a taller and holder model OF
crsclt; sitting carolcssly on tho ilo0r; no was
us;Iy carving the top OF babel wand. hoy
Ike. Inc Nilistlcd mcyrily over his woris and
,oi,a.l SO happy and handsome, with his sun
" curly like tie SISTERS hanging over a face
lat sill preserved the round curves ofchild-
ooi, his deep blIo eyes Shaded the dark