The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-12-14
to yield up forever to another, her youngest borr
her darling Louisa.

To pleasant seaport town, many miles dis
tant from the scene of the preceding chapter.
and still further removed from the residence of
Mr.. Oakly, our story now takes us. We must
allow, too, for flight of years, which shall be
as noiseless as those circling so swiftly around
the head of the young and happy.
With the exception of one long street, con-
sisting mostly of mechanics shops, a few stores,
a ropewalk, and tavern, the dwellings, clus-
tered here and there in a most picturesque and
delightful manner The land rising rather alb
ruptly few rods from the shore, and slightly
undulating, gave to each little cottage distinct
and pretty appearance, each with its little gar
den-plot of bright-green vegetables and bril-
liant flowers, some halfhidden behind the huge
brown trunk of forest trees, others mantled
with the vine or honey-suckle. To the south
and west, the horizon rested upon the bosom of
the majestic ocean; northward lowered hill on
hilliuntil the blue sky kissed their dark sum-
mits; while to the east stretched beautiful Wis
ia of finely cultivated fields, and glowing or
chards, with the spires of distant villages pro-
claiming-God above all!
1t was the hour Of noon, on a bright June
day. A band of happy, sportive children were
Just let loose from school, and with hoop and
huzza, with careless laugh, and merry song,
away bounded the gay young things, happy
that the four brick walls of A B C-dom were
behind them, yet now and then glancing back
with look of fondness to their school mistress,
as she slowly crossed the playground to her
own residence. In the path before her, gaily
frolicked beautiful girl of perhaps ten sum-
mers, the very embodiment Of health and inno-
cence, skipping and dancing onward, light as
any fairy, or with sunny smiles bounding back
with flower and kiss for the child her mother
was so tenderly assisting This poor little
creature was not only very lame, but was ter
ribly hunchbacked, and otherwise deformed.
Although really older than little Ruth Oakly,
(for in the school-nistress the reader finds the
widow,) she was not taller than most children
at five. One little hand was claSped in her
mothers, (she knew no other mother) who
with the most tender care, guarded her steps,
now and then as the eyes of the child were Hf-
ted to hers, STOPPING down to kiss her, and en-
couraging her in the most endearing terms.
The other hand held wreath oftiowers, which
she had woven for her dear sister Ruth.
AS they entered the gate opening upon the
nicely gravelled walk leading up to the cot
tage-door, Ruth ran and brought a little arm
chair on rollers, softly cushioned, and placed
it on the grass beneath the shadow OF large
apple-tree, whose pendant branches, nesting
down amid the sweet clover, thus formed a
beautiful bower for the children's sports.
There, Gatty,' cried Ruth, finging herself
down at her feet among the clover, now lets
play the story you were reading this morning
You shall be queen, and l will be the little
girl that never was happy; would it be wrong
Gatty, to plan you were never happy-would
it be telling lie; for you know, Gatty, dear, L
an, varx vorx hanDv--arp nj Won
'Yes-very happy said Agatha, thought
fully, but Ruth, cannot be queen, you know
how should look! So, you must be queen,
and see, have made this pretty wreath on
purpose for you. will be the ugly old fairy,
and ma'a shall be Leoline, that was never
happy-for Ruthy, do you know think mama
is sometimes very miserable. / wonder what
makes her cry so; for every night when she
kneels down by our bedside can feel the hot
tears on my check as she kisses me-
sAh and so can I-poor ma'maP said Ruth
and both children remained sad and thought
full, the arm of Ruth thrown across the lap Of
of her sister, whose lttlehand still clasping the
wreath, rested on Ruth's shoulder. At length
Agatha spoke, but her voice WAS low and broken.
Ruth said she, maybe MAMA weeps for
me. becausc-because-I am not more like
you.' =.
sHow like me p said the little girl, raising
her ewes to the sad face bent over her.
why you know, Ruth, you are so straight
and so pretty, and can walk so nicely, while
-
you are thousand times better than me,
dear Gatty,' cried Ruth, sprnging up and
throwing both arms around her weeping sister
for it was almost the first time she had ever
heard Agatha allude to her detormity; indeed
YOU are great deal prettier and better. oh
how many times have heard dear mama say
she wished / was as good as you
Ruth, said Agatha, laying her hand on her
sisters arm, and looking earnestly in her face,
Il am a frightful looking child am l not?
'You Agathap exclaimed little Ruth, you
frightful! o, no; don't every body love you,
Gatty, dearY
Everybody is very Kind to me- said the
child. unconsciously making the distinction
sbut then, Ruth, sometimes | hear people say,
%. ,chat an nqly little hingn Did you erer see |
such a fi-iGhfP and then sometimes the children |
call me spiter, and say that have arms like |
an ape, and cry, 'Hunc4-Bmch, ,chafs in your |
pacL;p
90, stop, dear Agathap said Ruth, tenderly |
kissing her, don't talk so-pray don'tP 1t Is |
only rude stranger children that say so; it Is
because they don't know what a sweet, dear
child you are
i pray to God every night continued Aga
tina, to forgive them, for they don't know
what it is to be lame, and deforned, and help
less; and l pray God to make me good and
amiable, too, that may forgive them /
Don't cry, Gatty, DEAR sobbed Ruth, and
then both little heads sunk lovingly together
in a paroxysm of tears
When Mrs Oakly came to call the children
to dinner, she was surprised to find them both
weeping and sObbing bitterly. There There; was
Ruth, in simple, earnest manner, related the
conversation between Agatha and herself
Mrs.. Oakly was grieved to find the mind of
her hitherto happy child dwelling on a subject
so hopelessly calamitous. Raising the poor
little girl in her arms, she fondly kissed her.
MY darling said she, is it not better to be
good and lovely in your heart, than to possess
the most beautiful form, and yet be wicked,
~