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

1t was dark now in those forsaken hearts
even as on Gods earth, and their path was
lost faster came down the binding snow,
and in their utter desolation the wanderers
at last sat down, unable to proceed and
weary with exertion. And the neglected
Isabel lay folded in the bosom of the father
whose fallen fortunes she had devotedly
shared and hot tears fell from his eyes on
her pale face. Isabel, darling, can you
forgive me that have deprived thee of love
and home, and everything upon earth can
you forgive me for being a drunk9rd 2"
ooh father, do not talk of those things
now, | am happy in dying with you, dear,
dear father"
Shadowy phantoms gathered dimly round
the repentlng man, pointing far back to
lost home and character, to the grave of
broken.hearted wife, and to the fast closing
eye-lids of his gentle daughter. Broken
words of agony and contrition mingled with
the hollow dirge that the old trees sung over
the dying.
Isabels eyes were shut: the father knew
it by bending his cheek down till it touched
hers, and he felt almost glad that he sawnot
the closing of those beautiful eyes; so many
a weary day their light had cheered him
since poverty and drunkenness had driven
him out to beg for daily bread: they were
clear and blue as the waters of their own
beloved lake, and they ever looked kindly
on him. Now they were closed-the eyes
OF her weary spritw were opened and she saw
such white-winged angels as had often float
ed dimly through her dreams, and sun-bright
flowers and gushing fountains, and dwellings
OF wondrous beauty were before her.
There they are pcrishing. Though Isabel
has earnestly longed to die, as she revives
little from the death lethargy, she nestes
closer TO her fathers bosom, like an innocent
dove, and feels it sad to lay down a young
life there i'll the dreary tempest, so far from
all of life and sympathy-and once more
she gazes round and sees the wild storm
clouds parting slowly, and one star trembling
in its distant home No, tits not star It's
light, and there are sounding footsteps and
cheerful voices near.
The father reused himself at her hurried
words, but they were too nearly exhausted
to call for help Marion heard faint cry
as of one perlshing it was Just like the
moaning of dove. Here, Richard, this
way with the lantern" she exclaimed, as
she bounded over the snow drift, by which the
wanderers lay. They saw a bright face
bending kindly over them, and felt that life
was yet theirs. Marion seemed suddenly
gifted with skill and energy to restore them,
and the boys could hardly believe that they
saw their wild cousin the snow-wreathed fig
ure before them. She poured warm cordials
on the coorless lips of the old man, while
James took the light form of Isabel in his
arms and wrapped her in his own coat
She smiled family in gratitude, and entreat-
ed him to 90 to her father--but he was al
ready standing by his preserver, anxiously
inquiring for his daughter. And the whole
party now heard the sound of approaching
sleigh-bells, and Richard loyfully exclaimed,
"Tis father and mother" Though startled
to see so strange a group by the road side,
the parents soon understood all, and the old
man was comfortably placed in the sleigh,
while the rest followed in its track home
ward James would not give up his charge
and leaning on his strong arm, with cousin
Marion's ever joyous words of hope in hei
ear Isabel felt like one awakening to a new
life
1t was late on that eventful night when the
blazing fire went out on the hearth, and al
were asleep. In vain they sought for the
rescued dove it had flown none knew width
err, for little Annie had fallen asleep while
the others were away.
Morning brought new bloom to Isabel, bu
, not so her father. A few days he fingered
; and those who watched tenderly by the dy
| ing, saw the flashing forth of glorious in
l tellect even in decay When the next Sab
: bath sun was setting, the sun of his life wen
= down also not in clouds and darkness, bu
: surrounded by holy light, even that c
e hope and trust in Heaven.
e And what became of the orphan Isabel
i They took the sweet bird to their own nest
, and she became gentle sister for the littl
, Annie, loved daughter to her protector:
e and when five bright summers had flow
e lightly by, she became the happy wife {
/ James Graham.
!; Never was bridal graced by fairer que:
than the light-hearted and lovely Marion
r and though the white dove never returne
to nestle in her bosom again, she alway
g called Isabel in the language of her ow
e hearts romance-the Dove Of the Storm.