Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-02-18
H~H-aP"N-
BY AUGUSTINE J. H. DUGANNB.


WAS there ever sweeter creature than dear little
golden haired Flora Campbell, with her light,
fairy foolstep, aud rosy cheeks and violet eyesl-
How lovely she looked, she bounded over the
green braes in the morning. or fingered by the loch-
side at the still cleaning Her heart all
shine, and her thoughts pure and fresh the flow
that she twned in her shining tresses.
1t is beautiful story they tell in the Scottish
valleys of poor idiot, innocent they call him)
who, when sunbeam fell across his sight, as he
sat in the church threw his cloak across it-dnd il
hung there. Faith they said worked the miracle,
and Heaven would not dsappoint the idiots trust
Sweet Flora Campbell-She might have thrown
her mantle across a sunbeam aye, and walked the
gterng path with her delicate feet till she reached
tie bright heaven aboye-for her young heart was
all Faith and Hope and Charity. She prattled
with the flowers, and the streameis and the birds;
and her clear, ringing voice heard at daybreak
amid the heather when the shepherds led forth their
nocks o, sunny, and joyful, and happy the
day was long, was dear little 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 ploughman And
did not her low voice tremble softly in prayer, at
the bedside of old Elspie, the blind beggaf womanl
o, who would not love the angel-hearted little mai
den?
But where is Floral The twilight is falling the
mountains and shutting in the wales like grey cur
tain. One by one the bright stars steal up into the
fummer sky, and twinkle amid the evening clouds.
The tinklng sheepbell sounds nearer the flocks
return 10 their fold, and the lowing of the kline in
the farm yards tells that the labors of the day
over. But where is the golden haired Flora Camp
bell
She was not used TO nger 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 muir
INJURED prayer, while his daughter, the mother OF
Flora, looked anxiously out the window, yearnng
for her child's return.
But Flora zane not.
The shadows crept faster around the valley-the
old peasants at their cottage door and the young
men and maidens gathered upon the village green
some to walk and talk of love under the broad
chestnut ree-some 10 play the pipe, or dance to
its merry music, and some to hur the quot, or
wreste in the ring.
But all was hushed when CATER Campbell came
hurriedy from his cottage, and inquired Of the vii
layers fthey had seen his grandchild. Yes, indeed
had they One had behed her far up in the noun
tain pluckng The wild.howers and weaving them in
10 a garland OF heather-another had met her upon
the path to the Moss Glen, sitting upon way side
stone, and plating willow basket for her grand
sire-and third had received some forest fruit
from her hands, as he met her seated with her bask
ct of flowers in her hand, near the head oil the
loch
'Ah we must seek Flora, cried the youths inn
media,ey the dear child--no harm can surely
come TO her
'Ah me CATER Campbell said white haired
old shepherd shaking his head. Il lear something
for the Youngest ambkin OF my flock was lost
to day, and it is bad sign, they say
Heaven grant that my poor child be safe, said
CATER Campbell, solemny.
Amen murmurcd the white haired peasant.
The villagers now dispersed in the various paths
leading to the mountains, the forest, and the loch
and soon torches cleaned upon the heights. and
pmmered among the trees, and flashed brightly
over the water. Up aud down, along the stream and
through the woods went the young men, calling
upon the name of 'Flora-FloraP
But no Flora answered
CATER Campbell leaned upon his staff, and spoke
no word lie could not weep, but heavy soTIo"
weighed upon his heart. But the mother OF Flori
was loud in her grief She wept and beat her breas
and called aloud the name of her child
The aged pastor now approached lie had hear'
n, The manse. of the disappearance of Flora 70
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
'Ab. size is lost-she is lost TO me- cried th
mother.
He who tempereth the wind TO the shorn lam
will protect our sweet child, said the Old PASTOR
fear mott
And as the reverend man sPohei lnc 'ouu oaiN"'
of dog was heard in the depths OF Moss Glen, an
lights passed quickly from the mountain to the va
ley. nm
Trust in heaven, said the minister and iollo'
me-
With trembling, yet hurried steps the pastor an
CATER Campbell took the way TO the deep glen.-
But the mother of Flora passed them and flew wllt
Iy down the narrow path. Louder and loude
sounded the bay Of the dog, from the thick glool
that shrouded the valley.
They reached the brink OF the wild ravine, {
chasm, commonly known the Deers Mouth, an
passed near group OF the villagers, who, vii
torches in their hands we're listening TO catch Il
bayng of the hound. Again il came low and dee
seemingly from the chasm beneath them. The
bent the torches over the edge Of the precpice, an
looked down but all was dark and silent, say
only the barking of the dog now quick and shar
we must descend said young man pressir
forward-'Thars Luoths bark, aud Luolh know
Flora as well as we do. Run, Donald, for ropes.
A half dozen lads started together at his biddin
and soon stout ropes brought aud held
strong men, while the youth prepared TO descend
Take heed, Christie, said the white haired o
shepherd the omen my lad, the youn
est lambkn of my flock was lost to day, and fe
evil.
Fear nothing, father cried the young peasaI
ssinging bmsrlf from the edge Of the preclpic