Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-02-04


cended that lofty fight of steps, and entering
that spacious hall, looked around upon those ell
egant apartments, where wealth and taste had
avished their choicest treasures, in rich proiu-
sion Could it be that unhappiness could enter
beneath that splendid roof and on Christmas
evel 1t might be so, for we know that sorrow
is not confined to the poor alone, but that its
bghtng influence is felt beneath princely
dome, as well as the beggars lowIy hut.
As the merchant entered the hall Of his dwell
inc, the sound of the childrens voices in high
gIee was heard, and presently door at the far
Their end of the hall was opened, and two lovely
little gitls about eleven and nine years of age
ran forward to welcome him, while little ur-
chin, Just initiated into the mysteries Of walking,
followed them, excaiming in infantiIe accents,
Il Papa come home
ooh Papal we have been so busy to-day eX-
claimed Alice, the eldest girl, twining her arms
fondIy about her fathers neck as he stopped 10
caress his little Willie.
Busy, my darling rejoned the father, af
fectng an air Of surprise Pray what can you
have been so busy about thought this week
was to be one great holiday, no school, no books,
no lessons,
oh that is a secret gaiIy replied the little
GIRL, Mamma knows all about it, but we cannot
tell you till after supper
Well suppose must wait till them said
the father smiling, and directing his steps toward
that room from which the children had just e.
merged but his progress was intercepted by
both the little girls, who exclaimed in tone of
alarm,
Oh! Papa, don't 20 into that room now, you
will spoil our secret
g SO you are going to shut me out, too, are
you Miss AIiccP said the father, good humored-
Iy, entering another apartment, pleasantly illu-
mined by fright coal fire in the CRATE, and
seating himself on a sofa, while the children
gathered around him, think your secret must
be very important indeed
'Ithink it is said Alice, with seIfsatislied
air. We shall be 50 happy to-nght for Mary
will be here in about an hour, you know, and
then we shall all be together at home once more
all but Edward, she added suddenly,
why don't Edward come home, Papa? Ell
qured Ellen, seating herself on her father,
knee He has been away so long that have
almost forgotten how he looks What made him
stay away 80 long! He never writes to US now
as he used to, when he was at school,.
A cloud crossed the fathers brow, and rising
hastily, he walked to the window, and stood fol
long time in silence Bitter were the thoughts
that agtated his bosom. He was thinking o.
his son, his first born son, proud, impulsve
but reckless and dlsobedient youth, who had lief
home year previous, and had never been hearC
from since his departure. Had he left under
ordinary circumstances, the thoughts of his alb
sence would have been less painful, Lut he hat
parted from his father with words of bitterness
and angry defiance on his lips. Possessing nat
uraIy frank and open disposition, he had beer
ed astray by evil companions, and having par
ticpated in a scene, which would have excited
the just dspIeasure OF all, had it been mad
known, the reprimand which he received fron
his father, who was a man of unblemished in
tegrty of character, was more severe than salu
tary Impetuous as he was, the reproof, whlcI
was partly undeserved, (Gor on after examina
tlon it was found that he was more 'sinne
" "lhot 'lloIl 0lhhlhSj ] dN"hCHCh Il spun VIM
spurned control. Both father and son were
like in being possessed of warm, easily excite
temper, aud in the height of their controversy
both uttered reproaches which were alterward
deeply regretted. Had Mrs Ashley been a
home, probably she would have done much Tow
ard ehecting reconciliation between the parties
for Edward loved his mother, with an almost en-
thusIastic tenderness but unfortunately she hat
eft the city, and on the evening of the day whel
Edward Ashley received his fathers reproof, h
eft home without giving any intmation of hi
- design For few days, Mr.. Ashley forebor
making any inquiry after his absent son, but a
weeks wore on, and he did not return, anxiet
and alarm took the place of Indignation, and va
rious were the means used to obtain information
:, concerning him, which however all proved fruit
+ less, More than year had passed away,
IS year of doubt and uncertainty to both parents
J. but as yet, no light had broken through the CLIQUE
= which overhung them. And yet few who look
N ed upon the beautiful mansion of the Ashleys
e their splendid equipage, aud lovely children
/ would have suspected that sorrow Of heart wa:
g mingled with all these. 1t was only very few
4 who noticed that within year Mr. Ashley hat
he grown more thoughtful and reserved, and ap
'e piled himself more closely to business than ev
lie er, and that his wife was thinner and paer, ant
10 that though she sometimes smiled, it was IA fain
s. and sorrowful smile. What wonder was it, tina
at this Christmas eve, the father stood sadly ant
re silently absorbed in his own reflections, until thu
S, entrance of his wife and the summons to sup
per, aroused him from his levery, and then, a
I'd if controlling his feelings by powerful effort
S he placed Mrs. AshIeys arm within his own
lie while his children clustered around, and look
ut ing upon them with smile as cheerful as
~ his heart were as uuclouded as his brow, h
to left the apartment. Who may trust to outwar,
~ appearances!
Sc Two hours before, another scene had occur
H. red in the mansion of Robert Ashley. Late il
tho offO III. L. IL