Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-02-11

While she was speaking, the whole group
was startled by low, distinct rappng on
the window pane, and there, with its white
breast pressed close against the glass, was
a trembling dove, pecking the frost covered
window, as if he pleaded for shelter from
the driving storm. All the children ran
eagerly to the door, and Richard laid the
dove gently and carefully in Marion's hand.
The Pickering light of the candle shone far
out on the lonely road, and dimy showed
two figures all wreathed with the falling
snow. 1t was unusual in that lonely place
to see strangers passing thus at night, and
the ever restless Richard exclaimed
"You carry in the dove and warm it, and
| mean to run out and see who they are"
Beautiful looked that halCfrozen dove to
the kind ones who had rescued it. As it
nestled close in Marion's bosom, there was
a CLEAN in its opening eyes that seemed al
most human-so earnestly it tolo of quiet
gratitude and content They smoothed the
rufiled white pumes caressingly, talking all
the while to Dovie,' as if it knew their
meaning. They scarcely needed the en-
trance of Richard till he said
"Those folks were beggars, and wanted
we should keep 'em over night, but | told
'em as father always does, that every town
took care of its own poor, and if they had
staid at home, they needn't suffer"
"Who were they! how did they look :
and where did they come from ?" inquired
all at once
ooh, they looked bad enough there was
an old man, and girl not so big as Marion,
and they came from some place down below
that | never heard of before. The old codg-
er said he was going to see his brother up
north, but guess he made up that story"
"Why Dick, didn't think you'd turn off
an old man, and a poor shivering girl, in
such night as this" and as James spoke
he went to the window, adding, 81 don't
think that father and mother will come, it
storms SO if they are on the way the will
stop somewhere"
"The old mans breath smelt of rum,
answered Richard, "and if he can buy that
he can buy lodging. | did pity the girl
to be sure, for when told him the tavern
was two miles off, she said, "Oh dear, that
seems great ways y but then, father says
it's only encouraging folks to drink, if you
do any thing for them when they wander
about so
Richard did indeed repeat an oft-heard
sentiment of his father when he said this
for though a worthy man in most respects
Mr., Graham was one of those who remem
Der the poor only so far as the sufferers are
good and virtuous and struggling hard tc
support themselves.
But the holier teachings of his wife had
given other and better feelings, and Richard:
conscience smote him when little Annie qu
city said, "mother would not have sent then
away if the man did drink rum"
You promised us story, cousin Marion,
said Richard, glad to turn from a painful
subject {" tell us about old times, like thos
best" "Tell about war;" said James
"About Indians" said Fred. "About whei
you was little girl like me-" said Annie
"Tell us about something you never toll
before" said quiet boy in one corner.
If the gifted Marion had one power il
perfection, it was that highly valuable bu
rare gift of telling stories. There was
long low seat in the kitchen, which the
called settle : it answered the purpose c
a wood-box and sofa in the winter evenings
and being painted bright red and vanished
it looked like good natured laughing fac
in front of the fire. On this the childre
used to sit for hours and listen to cousi
Maron's enchanting stories, which wer
usually the thrilling realities of history dress
ed in her own glowing thoughts. Some
times she recited an old fairy tale of som
| wild legend of early times but tonight I'll
white-plumed dove lay lovingly by her, an
her eyes rested sadly on its trembling breas
f as it uttered those low moaning sound
which nothing on earth equals in plainti,
q sadness. Marion's heart beat time to Il
o mournful notes, for there were noble fee
ings striving against her woman's fearfulnes
!. thoughts of the poor sufferers in that wi
storm, of their peril, and it might be of the
~ death.
n She rose resolutely and said, "Im goir
to find those beggars," and as she spoke 81
n began TO wrap a shawl around her. viii
her lovely face glowed with courageous fee
A" ing.
% Don't CO." pleaded little Annie, eye
e will be all buried up in the snow"
"God will take care of me, Annie" 81
Il answered, laying the bue-eyed dove in t
IS childs lap,
"You shall not 90 Alone cousin Marion
, said Richard, whose better feelings were
4 awakened by little reflection.
r. "Pll carry the lantern" said James,
h rough boy as he was, he knew how to a
10 mire her heroic resolution, and he knew t
peril of such an Grand
j. While they were hastily wrapping cloa
't and coats around them, we will follow t
ne beggars on their lonely path.
n,
h. "That house looked some like our c
it home, didn't it pa" said the pale, sad-hea
h. ted girl, as she looked back on the light
D. house where shelter had been refused the
* ooh, how wish we were back where
~ used to live," she added, as the old m
d, walked on silently.
d, "You have forgotten, havn't you, that t
ly old place don't belong to us now" he {
swered harshly don't worry about it,
n we can't help it now"
ne 81 know it," she said sadly, eve ha
st no home any where" Oh how mournfu
1t, those simple words were spoken, beari
er the tale of young heart crushed and big
he ed, of young hopes chilled forever.
es touched even the heart of the hardened ia
IN err, and he drew his motherless child Gle
es to his side, murmuring poor dove, poor