Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1847-04-01
Mt9rellaMf0uS.
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CHAPTER III.

AT last,
Far in the horizon TO the north appeared
From skirt TO skirt fiery region, stretched
In battallions aspect, and nearer view
Bristled with upright beams innumerable
OF rigid spears, and helmets thronged and shields
Various, with boastful argument portrayed
Milton.
The sun never shone on a happier couple
! than Ella Merton and Charles HARDWOOD
the next day after their joyful meeting, al
they went forth to enjoy, upon the margin
Of the lake, the refreshing brcezes tina
come across lis peaceful bosom in a sum.
mer's day. They both we're ardent ad
mirers of natures loneliness, and here she
had painted her beauties with the strokes
of master artist. They we're alone, and
could admire, undsturbed, the handiwork
Of natures God. 1t was a scene on which
such lovers might well delight tc
dwell. There was something in it thai
seemed to invite 10 gentle conversation
and to turn the soul in unison with the
sweet melody that steals over the earth
and is borne on every forest Whisper
IT'S natures harmony that can calm the
angry passions and come over the troubled
breast, like the cooling breeze of summer
over the levered system. Before them the
long narrow lake lay spread out, clear as
a sea of molten glass The breeze tina,
lightly famed its riDpIed surface, was lad,
ened with the perfumery OF the wild bloom
that grew along its banks The tall forms
of the sturdy oak, aud ash, and elm, to-
gether with the sky and floating clouds
were reflected from lis bosom, and seemed
like vista to a second world, in its
depths below. The forest flower was
nodding over its mirrored surface, as if to
kiss its own shadow, and seemed to blush
like timorous maiden, at its own lowell
ness. The music of the oak came to the
ear, like the low base from the orchestra,
and, minglus with it. was the soft, harmo-
NOUS note of the downy.branched ash,
while the waving pine sent forth lis tones
like the laundering organs peal, Chin
ing with these, we're the melodious songs
of The feathered tribe. The wild part
ridge had led forth her brood in the shady
wood, while the constan, taps of the wood
pecker resounded, far off and low.
1t has been sgid that all nature is beau
tiful and harmonious; that music is but an
imitation of her thousand notes, as paint
ing Is Copy of her scenes. Her minslrIl-
sy IS as perfect and faultless as her great
Author, himself The lovers saw and
felt the thrill of pleasure. which never fails
to impart 10 natures true worshippers. -
An age, to them, seemed almost too short
time to spend amid such loneliness. -
They drew out the departing hours of the
day IN aflectionate communications and in
drawing rich Instructions from lessons so
divlnely set The moments flew by and
found them still lingering upon the border
OF the lake, IN sweet converse, and loalhe
to depart, as though il were last farewell.
The declining sun, casting at length his
rays across the water, admonished them
of eve, when, turning to take last look
down the lake, on which the sun was now
shining magniicently, they espIed aiar of
in the dim distance. upon its surface, a
dark object, that occasionally CLEANED in
the sunlight.
Look4 said the youth, gazing a mo-
ment, ihere is something there, | fear that
needs closer attention than passing
glance
So saying he drew from his pocket a
small eye glass, and leveled it for few
moments upon the object.
There is trouble abroad' he exclaimed
replacing the glass, 'and if | rightly divine
we shall need to have our eyes about us
Come, my Ella, let me attend you home,
this is business, | surmise, that will re-
qulre stronger sinews than thy own.
Saying this, he drew her arm within his
own, and led her to her fathers dwelling.
Then, accompanied by the hunter, they
tooktheir station, to watch, upon the bank
that sIoped down to the lake. The object
now appeared larger and nearer, soon in
separate dlvisions-then, as it drew near
er, single boats could be distinguished,
which, through the glass, were seen to be
filled with men, with their arms cleaning
in the rays of the sun.
That, exclaimed the hunter, looks
like warm work for a few days to come.
Our brave troops must know this, or
they will be unprepared to give them a
hearty welcome, and true hospitality. But
see! there goes canoe from the shore to
hail them
Just then small flash was seen from
the canoe, and shortly feeble report reach
ed their ears; then one of the boats turned
aside to answer the call. A consultation
seemed now TO take place, then the boat
returned 10 the fleet and the canoe again
TO the shore.
There is some mystery heren said the
youth.
That exclaimed the hunter, must be
the willy chief. Has he not gained a
knowledge of the position of your band,
and now informed the enemy' Perhaps
they may mediate an attack
Then they shall be ,hwartedr returned
the youth, that band, sir, was never form
ed TO be taken by the enemyl'
So saying, he placed small bugle to
his lips, and blew sharp shriIl blast,
which, in moment, was answered by an
other, short distance down the lake.