The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-03-06
For the Girls and Boys.
f I, O r A .


morning, or fingered by the loch. side at the
still goaning! Her heart was all sunshine,
and her thoughts us pure and fresh ms the
flowers that she twined in her shining tress-
Cs.
1t is n beautiful story they tell in the Scot
isll vnlleys, ola poor idiot, innocent MS they
call HIM who when sunbeam fell across his
sight, as he sat in the church threw his cloak
across it-ana hang there. Faith they said
worked the miracle, and Heaven would not
disappoiut the idiots trust.
Sweet Flora Cnmpbell--she might have
thrown her mantle across sunbeam; nye,
and walked the glittering path with her deli
cate feet till she reached The bright heaven
above-ior her young heart was all Falkland
Hope and Charity. She pratllcd with the
flowers, and the sireamets, and the birds;
and her clear, ringing voice was heard Mt day
break amid the heather, when the shepherds
led forth their flocks. o, sunny, and joyful
aud happy as the day was long, was dear lit
tic Flora Campbell.
All loved the gentle girl-and why should
they not? Did not her tender hands bring
fresh flowers TO the sick wife of Robert the
pIoughmun? And did not her low voice
tremble softly in prayer, at the bedside, of
the blind beggar woman? o, who would not
love the angel-hcarted little nIaiden?
But where is Flora? The twilight is fall
ing over the mountains, and shutting in the
wales like grey curtain. One by one, the
bright stars steal up into the summer sky,
and twinkle amid the evening clouds. The
tlnkliug sheepbell sounds nearer, MS the
Aocks return to their fold and aud the lowing
of the kline in the farm yard tells that the Ia
hors ofthc day are over. Bur where is the
golden haired Flora Campbell?
She was not used to luger so long from her
grand fathers dwelling for now the evening
meal was spread, and the cottage lamps were
lighted. The aged man clasped his hands
together, and nurmUcd prayer, while his
daughter, the mother of Flora. looked any
lously out of the window, ycarning for her
child's return.
But Flora came not.
The shadows crept faster around the val
ley--the old peasants sat 1T their cottage door
and the men and madens gathered upon the
village grecn-some to walk and talk Of love
under the broad chestnut tree-some to play
the pipe. or dance to its merry music, and
some to lnrl the quot, or wrcstle in the
ring.
But all was hshed when CATER Campbell
came hurredly from his cottage, and inquir-
ed ofthc villagers if they had seen his grand !
child. Yes, indeed had they. One had be-
held her far up in the mountain plucking the
wild-howers and weaving them into IL gar
land Of heather-anotler had met her on the
path to Moss Glen, sitting upon way side
stone, and Plating willow basket for her
grandsire-and third had received some
forest fruit from her hands, as he met her
seated with her basket offowers in her hand
near the head ofthe loch.
'Ah, we must seek Flora, cried tho Youths
immediately, she dear child-no harm can
surely come to her.
'Ah, me, Gatfer CampbeII,' said white
haired old shepherd shaking his head. fear
somethng-for the youngest lamhkn of my
flock was lost to day, and it is Il bad sign,
they say
'Heaven grant that my poor child he safe
said Gatfer Campbell soemnly.
'Amen,' nurlnured the white haired peas
ant.
The villagers now dispersed in the various
paths leading to the mountains, the forest and
the Loeb, aud soon torches cleaned upon the |
heights, and glimmered among the trees, and
flashed brightly over the water Up and
down, along the stream and through the !
woods went the young men, calling upon the
name of 'Flora-Forar
But no Flora answered.
CATER Campbell leaned upon his staff, and
spoke no word. He could not weep, but a
heavy sorrow weighed upon his heart. But
the mother of Flora was loud in her grief
She wept and beat her breast and called a.
loud the name ofher child.
The aged pastor now approached. lie
had heard at the manSe, of the disappear
ance ofFlora: for every house had been
searched within the hour; and he came now
to comfort the bereaved ones. Fear not
daughter he said, Flora will return
'Ah, she is lost-she is lost to me- cried
the mother
He who tempereth the wind to the shorn
lamb will protect our sweet child,' said the
old pastor,-'fear notp
And as the reverend man SPOKE the loud
barking ola dog was heard in the depths of
Moss Glen, and lights passed quickly from
the mountain to the valley.
Trust in heaven said the minister 'and
follow me-
With trembling, yet hurried steps the pms
tor and CATER Campbell took the way to the
deep glen. But the mother of Flora passed
them and flew wildly down the narrow path
Louder and louder sounded the bay of the
dog, from the thick gloom that shrouded the
valley.
They reached the brink ofthe wild ravine,
or chasm, commonly known as the Deers
Mouth, and passed near group of the vii |
layers, who, with torches in their hands were |
listening to catch the baying of the hound
Again it came low and deep seemingly from
the chasm beueath them. They bent the |
torches over the edge of the precipice, and
looked down, but all was dark and sent.save
only the barking of the dog now quick and
sharp.
I'VE must descend said Young man
pressing forward-'That's Louth's bark, and
Louth knows Flora as well us we do. Run.
Donald, for ropes
A half dozen lads started together at his
bidding, and soon stout ropes were brought
and held by strong men, while the youth pre-
pared to descend.
pTakF heed Christie soid the white bo;r