Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-04-15
GREEN MOUNTAIN FREEMAN.

as Melinda. and she felt these things as women
frequently feel them But now these feelings
were attacked from another quarter and COM
nletelv discomftted. She went about her house
hold affairs, rejecting truly on the influences
under which Melinda had lived from a child and
also with growing selEaccusation on the circum-
stances under which she had finally gone astray;
and in the old ladys warm heart was born lar
GER sympathy. New light and warmth gushed
in, and the winged seed dropped down from
Paradise which hadalain too much smothered,
started into sudden and rapid growth, roofing out
many of the strong, rank weeds
When the day fixed for their arrival came, she
was restlessly busy in perfectng the minntest
preparations for the invalid. Once or twice,
when every thing seemed in readiness, she drew
out her Dutch wheel and tried to spin. But the
thread would catch in the Aiers and the flax
would slip from the dstaA, until half angry With
herself she put it away, and piled up nearly a
load of wood in the capaclous chimney corners.
At length, while she was in the chamber doing
something to add to her arrangements, the joy
full bark of old Rover announced their arrival.
She fastened down and met uncle Jonas as he
entered the house. bearing his pale, sobbing
niece in his arms, as one would bear a little
child.
Heaven be praised, JONAS she exclaimed ;
Heaven be praised that you've got back alive,
and brought our child with you! I've had the
fdgets about you Lindy; child, don't cry
SO. Pm proper glad to see you; | never was SO
glad to see anybody in my life she continued,
as Melinda buried her face in her cloak and
sobbed still more bitterly 'Iet me take off your
cloak, child
Glad to see me, aunt the poor girl replied,
attempting to look up; 'can you indeed forgive
me-forgive all the sorrow and disgrace | have
brought upon yon! Oh, you are too, too good!'
No, no, I'm not too good-the Lord knoweth
Pm not too good I've been to blame. If had
acted like a true mother toward you, don't be-
lieve you would gone astray so, But III do bet
ter now, and you'll be good girl, and may the
Lord forgive US ALL shall hate that awful
Langley as long as live, the good for nothing
rascal
Aunt Eunce proceeded TO unite the girls
hood, and Melindas tears fell fast on her hands
as she said
May Heaven bless you, aunt! had not
dared to hope for this.
at has blessed me already, Lindy, i'll showing
me my errors and bringing you back to me.
didn't think as | ort to, that you hadn't any IA
Their and mother. But you are my child now,
can't tell how much love you Aunt Eunice';
tears came fast now, but she drew down heI
81 asses, and said to uncle JONAS DO open
the entry door, it smokes enough here to put
ones eyes out. It's that pesky back stick
knew it would smoke when put it on
Many weeks passed before Melinda was able
to leave her ROOM Had there been no change
in aunt Eunce's manner toward her there would
have appeared a total change in her sense Of it
for in her experience of suffering, Melinda hac
grown wiser But aunt Eunice was really chan
ged she strove successfully to overcome hel
sharp fretlulness, and seem kind and consderate
The gill had prepared herself to bear the bitter
est reproaches. But these words and looks O.
kindness, which constantly avoided even the
mention of her sin and disgrace were, as she
said, too much Poor girl she felt these
words and looks as the good angels that were
"To breathe away
The dust O. the heart with holy air."
She returned to health a new creature. IIel
saddened woman's nature, whose crown had fall
ell, made itself beautiful wreath of the flower;
of love, genteness and truth, which suffering
made to spring up along the path she now walk
ed. How unselish she became How serene
and strong in her love for all that is true and
beautiful How unwearied in her life of graf
ttude to her relations! They grew old and in
firm, and she was their miniseriag angel How
sacred is love How beautiful it makes every
spot in human life where it shines All, it il
divine to have compassion on the sinful, ant
save souls from despair aud death
1t may not be amiss to say that when the
great estate of her relatives became hers, Henry
Langley appeared again and sought to make he
his wife. He profcssed the deepest penitcnc'
for the past, and pleaded earnestly without
doubt OF success But to his surprise and con
fusion, he did not find the weak, thoughtless cir
whom his arts had once betrayed She refuse,
him with that severe scorn which every such un
principled villain merits. Had he been rcalI
penitent she would have answered kindly; Blu
still she would have refused him; for after wha
had passed. he could never be to her what sh
had at once fanced he was. Firmly and patient
| ly she walked on the ways of life doing a!
things nobly, because she communed with tn
Spirit and believed in Him whom to know Il
life eternal"
n ori