Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-01-27

| ling stories. There was long, low seat IN the
kitchen, which they called a settle, it answered
the purpose of wood-boX and sofa in the winter
evenings and being painted bright and varnish-
ed, it looked like good-natured, laughing face,
| in front of the fire On this the children used
TO sit for hours and listen to cousin Marlan's en-
chanting stories, which were usually the thrilling
realities of history dressed in her own glowing
thoughts Sometimes she recited an old fairy
tale of some legion of early times; but tonight
the white plumed dove lay lovingly by her, and
her eyes rested sadly on its trembling breast, as
it uttered those low, moaning sounds, which no
thing on earth equals in pIaintve sadness. Ma
rian's heart beat time to the mournful notes. for
there were more noble feelings striving against
her woman's fearfuness; thoughts of the poor suf-
ferers in that wild Storm of their peril, and 1t
might be the cause of their death.
She rose resoutely and said, Pm going to
find those beggars,' and as she spoke she began
to wrap a shawl around her, while her lovely
face glowed with courageous feeling.
Don't 90, you'll be buried up in the snow
pleaded little Annie.
God will take care of me, Annie, she an
swered laying the blue eyed dove in the chids
lap.
| Ou ollull NV " ulOhCj NOuoil 4AAIIul, oulu
Richard, whose better feelings were all awaken
ed by little reflection.
'pll carry the lantern said James, for rough
boy as he was, he knows the peril of such an err
rand.
While they are hastily wrapping coats round
them, we will follow the beggars on their lonely
path.
That house looked something like our old
home, didn't it par said the pale sad-hearted GIRL
as she looked back on the lighted house where
shelter had been refused them. 'Oh! how wish
we were back where we used to live,' she added
as the old man walked on silently.
you have forgotten, hav mt you, that the old
place don't belong tous now he answered harsh
! ly; don't worry about it, for we can't help it
now
Il know it, she said sadly, I'VE have no house
any where Oh! how mourniuIy those simple
words were spoken, bearing the tale of young
heart crushed and blighted of young hopes chill
led forever 1t touched even the heart of the
hardened father, and he drew his mortheress
child close to his side, murmuring poor dove,
poor Isabel Aye, the beggar-girl bore that
proud name, and she had graced it in happier
days, when her father was an honored and trust
ed man-when the noblest vessel on the broad
lakes was his own-before rum had ruined god
like intellect, and wasted princey fortune,
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 Wanders at last sat down, unable
to proceed and weary with exertion. And now
the neglected Isabel lay folded in the bosom OF
her father whose fallen fortunes she had so de-
voutly shared, and hot tears fell from his eyes on
her pale face. "Isabel, darling, can you forgive
me that deprive you of love and home, and eve
rything on earth? can you forgive me for being
a drunkardP
ooh, father, do not talk of these things now
| am happy in dying with you, dear, dear ia
= ther!"
= Shadowy phantoms gathered dimly around the
repcnting man, pointing far back to lost homo
and character, to the grave of broken hearted
wife, and to the fast closing eyelds of his gentle
) daughter. Broken words of agony and contri
ton mingled with the hollow drge that the ole
trees sung over the dying.
Isabes eyes were shut, the father knew it b,
bending his cheek down until it touched hers
; and he felt almost glad that he saw not the clos
, ing Of those beautiful eyes; so many weary
day their light had cheered him since povert,
and drunkenness had driven him out to beg fol
dayly bread they were clear and blue as the wa
tiers of their own beloved lake, and they eye
looked kindly. Now they were cIoscd-the eye.
of her weary spirit were opened, and she saw
such white winged angels as had often foatet
through her dreams, and sun bright flowers anc
gushing fountains, and dwellings of wonderou.
beauty were before her.
There they are perishing-though Isabel haC
earnestly longed to die, as she revived a little
from the death lethargy, she nestled closer to he
= fathers bosom like an innocent dove, and feel
, it is hard to lay down young life there in thu
dreary tempest, so far from all human sympathy
7 and once more she gazes round and sees the
wild storm-clouds parting slowly, and one sta
trembling in its distant home. No, It's not
i star-'ts light and there are sounding foot
steps and voices near.
t The father reused himself at her hurried
words, but they were too nearly exhausted to cal
Q for help. Marian heard faint cry as of one
+ pershing; it was Just like the moaning of dove
# Here Richard, this way with the lantern" she
exclaimed, as she bounded over the snow drift
e by which the wanderers lay. They saw bright
: face bending tendery over them, and fet that
f life was theirs, Marian seemed suddenly gitec
Y with skill and energy to restore them, and the
boys could hardly believe they saw their wilc
/ cousin in the snow wreathed figure before them
She poured warm cordas on the colorless lip,
of the old man, while James took the light figure
y of Isabel in his arms, and wrapped her in hi.
r own coat. She smiled family in gratitude, anC
S entreatcd him to go to her father but he was al
S ready standing beside his preseryer, anxiousl,
inquiring for his daughter. And now the whole
n party heard the sound of approaching sleigh-bes
a and Richard joyfuy exclaimed, "'Tis fathe
e and mother !" Though startled to see so strang,
r a group by the roadside, the parents soon un
e derstood all, and the old man was comfortabl,
placed in the sleigh, while the rest followed il
: its track homeward James would not give III
y his rescued charge, and leaning on his stron!
r arm, with cousin Marian's ever Joyous words O
hope in her ear, Isabel felt like one walking tt
It new life
1t was late on that eventfuI night when thu
blazing hre went out on the hearth, and all wer
asleep. In vain they sought for the rescued dov,