Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-02-11
nlisfellaneous.
From the Mercantile Journal
THE DOVE OF THE STORM.
BY DORA M'NEILLE,

GENTLY and quietly the night folded its
wing over pleasant home among the Green
Mountains, where a happy circle was gath
cred around blazing fire of maple wood
1t was one of those old-fashioned homesteads
of which every one has bright ideal tall
trees bent over it as if to shelter the young
hearts that beat happily under that roof, and
peacefully, even as the birds that sung to
them through the long summer days, dwelt
the little mountaneers in their secluded
home. Their parents had now been absent
a week on visit to friends at a distance, tho
it was mid-winter, and the broad evergreen
forests were thickly covered with snow
They were not the people who spend in
pleasure the loveliest season God gives us,
for little thought could they take of Journey
ing for amusement, when the rich fruit and
waving grain was ripening fast for them to
gather.
twas the farmers season for fitting, now ;
the harvest moon had long since waned, and
left rich stores in barn and granary. There
were stalwart boys to leave at home, who
knew right well what care was needtul-and
the parents had not feared to leave the little
band alone, without any protection but their
own innocence, and the care of Him in
whom they trusted
Trained as they had been to brave all
storm and danger caring lightly for either
the hardy children had enjoyed the indie
pendence of being left to "take care O
themselves" as James Graham expressed it
and now they were recounting all the home
duties they had faithfully performed, for the
absent ones were expected home that night
and each little heart beat happily in the con
seriousness of having done right.
"Wel," said James, 81 guess that fathe
don't expect to find all the corn husked wheI
he gets home"
mo, nor the old shed boarded up ST
nicely." said Richard
What have you got to tell father, Annie 2
said James to a little gentle creature, VIII
looked like white morning glory with blu
eyes.
"Oh, shall tell him how good we've al
been, and how helped you feed the lamb
every day"
you'll tell him we've been good toe
won't you, cousin Marion 7" asked Richard
for the roguish boy began to remember Gel
tain instances of his teazing and fun whic
he thought might not sound very well in tn
account
A gay and brilliant girl was cousin Mar
on, who had escaped from the dull restrain
of city life for little while, to enjoy tn
freedom she loved Oh, it was strange ho'
she could leave sphere of gaiety and fasf
ion, where she was the brightest star, to S
on the old stone hearth in the farmers kitcl
en-, and crack butternuts, or help pare ar
pies till her little white hands looked blac
enough; but she did love it, and dearly the
all loved her she was so gifted and so kline
so winning to all and then, as James sale
she was first rate hand at making cand
and popping corn.
But Marion Norville was not genteel-ir
deed she wasn't; for she had rather play tn
Yomping games of the country girls, or Goa
with James Graham of moonlight nigh
than dance the bewitching Polka in he
splendid city homeland why should ST.
not 2 for the shadows of old bending tree
tremble on the frozen lake, and the moo
shines brighter there than the gas-light doc
in a crowded room on beauty which &c
did not make Perhaps, too, Marion ha
holier thoughts than those of mere EMO
ment, for every night she had gathered II