Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-10-21


sounds, 1t is beautiful to see her in her night
gown, seated demurely in her little arm chair,
one little naked foot unconsciousy beating time
to the tune. But if the music speaks too plain
lively the big tears roll silently down. and the
Porrnger, of milk all UNDECIDED, pours his treas
ures on the floor. Then come smothering kiss
es from the happy father and mother and love-
claspings with her little soft arms. AS the three
sit thus entwlned the musician says play(uIly,
"Ah, this is the perfect chord p
Three years pass away, aud the scene is chang
ed There is discord now where such sweet
harmony prevailed, The light of Doras eyes is
with weeping and Fioretta "has caught the aim
trick of grief, and signs amid her paythings."
Once, when she had waited long for her beloved
father, she ran to meet him with the guitar and
he pushed her away, saying angrly eco to bed;
why did your mother keep you up so long %
The sensitive little being, so easily repuIsed,
went to her pillow in tears and after that she
no more ran to meet him with music in her hand
in her eye and in her voice flushed now IS
the beloved tune. To the unhappy wife it seems
a mockery to ask for it; and Aessandro seldom
touches his guitar he says he is obliged to play
enough for his bread, without playing to his
family at home. AT the gee-club the bright
wine has tempted him, and he is slowly buryng
heart and soul in the sepuIchre of the body Is
there no way TO save this beautiful son of gem
JUS and teelng2 Dora at first pleads with him
tenderIy but made nervous with anxiety and
sorrow, she at last speaks words that would have
seemed impossible to her, when she was 50 happy,
seated IN the rustic chair in the moonlghted gar
den; and then comes the sharp sorrow, which
generous heart always feels when it has so
spoken to cherished friend In such moments
OF contrtlon, memory turns with fond sadness
to the beloved tune. FIoretta, whose little fin
gers must stretch wide to reach an octave, is
taught TO play it on the piano, while mother
sings to the accompaniment, in their lonely
hours Alter such seasons a tender reception
always greeted the Maynard husband but his
eyes, duIled with dissipation, no longer per-
ceNed the delicate shadings of love in those
home pictures, once so dear to him, The child
Is afraid of her father, aud this vexes him; SO
astrangeness grew up between the two paymates,
and casts shadow over all their attempts at
Joy One day Aessandro came home as twilight
was passing into evening, Fioretta had eaten her
supper, and sat on her mothers lap, chatting
merlly; but the little clear voice hushed as
soon as her iather's step was heard approaching.
lie entered with flushed cheeks and unsteady
motions, and threw himself full lengbth Oh the
hat : 4 H. i -
Dora answered hastily, "When man has made
his house dismal, if he don't like it, be had bet
ter stay where he finds more pleasure" The
next moment she would have given worlds if she
had not spoken such words. Her impulse was
to 60 and fall on his neck, and ask forgvness ;
but he kicked over little Fiorettas chair with
such violence that the kindly feeling turned back
and hid itself in her widowed heart There sat
they silently in the twilight, and Dora's tears
Tell on the little head that rested on her bosom.
know what spirit guided the child perhaps
in her busy little heart she remembered how her
lavore sounds used to heighten all love- and
cheer all sorrow, perhaps angels came down
and took her by the hand But so it was, she
slipped down from her mothers lap, and scram-
bling upon the music STOOL began to play the
tune which had been taught her in private hours
and which the father had not heard for many
months. Wonderfully the little creature touched
the keys with her tiny fingers, and ever and anon
her weak but flexible voice chmed in with a
pleasant harmony! Alessandro raised his head
and looked and listened. Good bless her dear
little soul he exclaimed, can she play it? God
bless her God bless her !" lie clasped the
darling to his breast, and kissed her again and
again. Then seeing the little overturned char,
once so sacred to his heart, he caught it up,
kissed 1t vehementIy, and burst into flood of
tears Dora threw her arms around him, and
said softly, "Dear AIesandro, forgive me that
spoke so unkndy" lie pressed her hand and
answered in a stiAed voice, "Forgve me, Dora,
God bless the little angel Never again will
father push away her little chair As they stand
weeping on each others necks, two little soft
arms encrcle their knees, and a small voice
says, "kiss Fetta." They raise her up and fold
her in long embraces. AIessandro carries herI
to her bed, as in times of old, and says cheerful
ly, "No more wine, dear Dora, no more wine
Our child has saved me-"
But when discord once enters domestic par
adlse, it is not easily dispeed. Aessandro &C.
caslona y feels the want of the stimulus to which
he had become accustomed and the correcting
appetite sometimes makes him gloomy and pet
ulant Dora docs not make sufficient allowance
Tor this and her own nature being quick and
sensitive, she sometimes gives abrupt answers or
betrays impatience by hasty motions. Mean
while Allessandro is busy with some secret work.
The door of his room is often locked and Dora
IS half displeased that he will not tell her why !;
bat all her questions he answers with kiss and
smile And now the Christmas morninu
comes, and FIoretta rises bright and early to see
what Santa Claus has put in her stocking. She
comes running with her apron full, and gives
mother package on which is written, GA mer
ry Christmas and happy New Year to my be-
loved wife ~ She o,ene - and ro,Ja a.