The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-02-12
Moral Readings,
AN APOJ%, sEpowIcK,
ny MISS Ans sitting on oH en'Ho

ed gaze on this multitudinous human family,
to ask of him, 'Who is it that so many seem
confidently expecting, and so many others 10
he blndly pursuing'
tShe is an immortal he replied, 'whose
home is not in this world. In truth, she rare
Nv visits it. Her companionshp is reserved
for those who, in the language of scripture,
,.shull see G od as he is, for they shall be like
Him, her name is Happiness. She is never
fond of those who seek her for her own sake.
.Why then are so many pursuing herr
asked; swhy do they not learn from the eXpe-
Renee and disappointment Of others'
tThe desire of her presence he replied, lis
born with them; the child cries for her; some
are ignorant of the means of attaining hers
some delude themselves, and others are delu-
ded as to the mode of winning her; few are
willing to pay the price her friendship, and
,fewer still will receive the truth that she does
not abide on earth, even with those most wor-
thv her presence. To them her visits are rare
and brief, but they are content to dwell among
her kindred, Submission, Tranquility, Con-
tentment and Patience. Take this, he said,
giving me a curious eye glass, cit will enable
YOU to see the distant, to penetrate every Sc
cret path, and to discern untold thoughts
took the glass-it fulfilled his promise
now beheld the whole world in p insult OF this
enchanting being. Some were crossing the
wide sea some threading the wilderness, mass
es were crowdng into cities, and others flying
to the country in quest Of her They looked
Tor her where she was never heard Of, and
what at first was inexplicabe to me, those that
nOthinU
else, never, by any chance, found her
Tired of my general observation, finally
confined my attention to two young persons
who began the course Of life together. One
was beautiful girl called Brillanta, whom
first saw in a French boarding school, with
teachers in all the arts and various branches
of learning.
aWhy do they confnc me hcre?' she OK
claimed, pettshly 'they tell me was born Tor
happiness, and have not so much as heard
the rustling of her wings in this tiresome place
We'll, must worry it through, but when
school DAYS are over, and am 'OEf, and sur
rounded by friends, and followed by lovers,
and go at will to operas and balls, then Hap
piness Will be my constant companion.
This golden future became Brillianta pres
ent. | saw her wreathed with flowers and
sparkling with jewels, admired and hatered'
and hurrying from scene of gniety to a
mother; but instead ofthe companion she pre-
sumptuously expected, there were only Pleas
ore and Excitement, and at their heels Satety
and WEAKNESS
sAas! exclaimed Brillianta, Happlness IS
not yet with me, but she will come at my we'd
ding-with the bridal giiis and festivities
she will take up her obode in my luxurious
;homer But true Love was not required at
the marriage, so Happiness refused to be there.
Vanity and Pride were among the guests, and
were soon followed by the fiend Disappont-
ment Happiness could not breathe the air
they infected.
few years passed. Happiness never has
been, never will be here! exclaimed Brillianta.
sMy husband is so tiresome!my children teas
ingmy servants tormenting!~ | will go to for
-eign lands, 1 will explore other countries
surely, where many rush to seek Happiness
she must be found And away went Brllian-
Ia; but the chase vain, she never got so
much as glimpse of Happiness; though she
went on pursuing till death overlook her. 4
mist that had been gathering round her s''tleu
into darkness, and saw her no more
She whom had seen start in TIE career oil
life with Brllianta, was named Serena. She
came forth daily from a home where all s"ee.
,contentments were, from Goa loving ana "ou
fearing parents, to her school tasks She had
an earnest and sweet countenancc, but what
chiefly struck me about her was her unlike
ness to the rest of the world. She was not
pursuing Happiness. She was too modest to
claim her presence, too humble to expect it.
She was SO occupied with her tasks and du-
ties that she had no time to think of herself,
but she was eager enough to obtain the ac-
,quaintance of Happiness for others. What
-disinterestedness what self forgetfulness she
practis,d to achieve this; and, strange to say,
when she asked and sought this GLIDING being
for others, she came unsought, unmasked to
herself and when clouds gathered heavily a.
round Serena, SO that Happiness could not
come, (for her nature requires bright skies)she
sent her helpful handmade Patience, and Sc
rena was content and grateful. 'How many
unexpected, undeserved meetings have with
my heavenly friendr Serena would exclaim.
And, as saw, Happiness daily saluted her in
the lovely aspects of nature in household loves
in the prayer of faith, and the peace of acquit
ting conscience. To Serena, in due time also
scame the wedding day, and with the illimita-
bile hope and right confidence that belongs to
that period of woman's life, she said 'Happi
ness you will ofcourse preside at this festival?
.sOf COURSE replied Happiness; 'for where my
best friends gather on the wedding day-Love
L oh ont