Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-12-21

which his fond heart centered-hs darling
daughter.
Anna assured her father that once in the city,
she should soon regain her health; and accord
ngy they returned home
iii order to relieve the auxieties of her father,
she checked all indulgence in melancholy, and
for his sake mingled in society and strove to ap'
pear as in former days Early friends gathered
round her, for tho pale, she was still beautiful.
and her father was delighted with this change
for the better.
After the departure of Anna, Eugene found
but little time to spare from his business, by
which, with his closest attention, he managed to
provide for those he loved, besides the actual
necessares books, music, and all which might
tend to promote the accomplishments of his truly
beautiful and superior sister. He took delight
in marking her rapid progress beneath the tut
ton of her mother, who having had advantages
in early life; was fully competent to instruct her,
and in her rich Development Of mind her grow
ing graccs, aud fond affection, lie felt amply re,
paid for all he had suffered, though ever haunted
| by the image Of his still idolizcd Anna 1t is
true he could not at times rcpress the sigh of re-
greet that such faotcss beauty and unrivallcd
grace Of manners,
"Wos doomed to blush unseen,
And waste it's perfume on the desert air."
Then he would comfort himself will tho roflec.
ton that the pleasure and admiration otthe world
could never repay her sensitive heart for the
many pangs OF wounded pride which she must
suffer- refined and elevated as she was, far above
the station which fortune had allotted her.
Thus slowly passed many a month, and the
business of Eugene-who, though perfect nat
ural artst-but slowly increased. Their little
halcyon retreat was four miles from the nearest
city. and there he had hired gallery for the ex-
hibiton of his paintings, which to be admired,
needed but to be seen by competent judges-of
which alasl there are but few, Strange is it,
that the world for the most part, look coldIy on
the half divine exhibition of human skill; that
the rare pcncilIngs Of the artist seldom gain
their merited applause that the deep, finely
wrought touches of the poet as seldom waken
kindred echo alone understood in the
hearts of the originators, in secret and in ST.
lence, enioyed alone by them; was but part, at
least, of the millions expended by the gaping,
misguided multitude in the encouragement of
foolish trickery, and vain exhibitions, or even
layshed at fashions shrine, appropriated to the
encouragement of the fine arts, the world were
wiser and better, and many now cherished,
humble dependant, released from the cramping
bondage of poverty, would soar fancy free, to
sway by its superior intellect, the world that now
spurns and Expresses it. But since it is not So
my gentle readers must be content to follow my
struggling hero a little longer, though unlike too
many examples of humble worth, happy fate
yet awaits him
1t was bright, beautiful afternoon in June,
and Eugene weary of the efforts of his pencil.
sought repose in a rural little acove, which,
though of humble material and purely original
in its manner of construction, was strikingIy
beautiful 1t was situated on a slight emnence,
sn a retired part of the garden, and though fine
ly shaded commanded quite an extensive view
of the surrounding country. The waters of a
little brook which flowed near by, murmured its
liquid music, as if yeing with the Joyous warb.
lings of the sweet birds Eugene and Amelia
had spent many pleasant hours in planning, i'm
proving and ornamenting the little spot, and to
their natural hearts, endeared as it was by tender
associations, it seemed like perfect Paradise
Here, often at the close OF day, they had listen
ed to the sweetly mournful voice OF their beloved
mother, as she told them of her early sorrows,
and had mingled their tears with hers, in memo
nv of father whom they had scarcely known
Here too they had read and studied and the eve
ming hymn Of devotion, sweetlY mingled, had
often risen on the air.
Eugene was lost in viewing these pleasant
scenes; when he was recalled by the Joyous ring
ing of the glad voice of his happy sister. She
came bounding forward, with step light anC
graceful as do lawu, for why should her steF
be heavy, since she had never known one actual
sorrow? She threw aside her sun bonnet, anC
galy Ainging herself on a seat composed Of the
braided tendris OF vine, she seized her harT
which hung near by, and in the joyousness of hel
heart, swept with fairy fingers its light strings
waking its sweetest mu2ic,
As Eugene gazed ON the figure of his sister
he thought he had never seen her so peerlessly
beautiful. A wreath Of wild flowers which she
had twined was thrown carelessly over her Shout
der half crcling her waist, shading but no
concealing its beautiful symmetry; her rich clus
tering hair was put back, fully revealing hel
smooth, polished brow, and her PRETTY rounded
dimpng check was ruddy with her late health
full exercise, while her long lashes, half conceal
ing her dark eyes as they bent upon her music
lent subduing grace to every feature. Eugene
seized his pencil, land artist like, sketched thu
whole scene; then withdrew hastily, to complete
the finishing touches, lest the impression nigh
fade from his mind. AS it shone forth beneatl
his sllillful hand he felt elated, and when com
pleted and placed in the light for. further in
} specton, he knew it to be his masterpiece, ant
that in no future work, however aided by ex
, perence, could he excel. He had not designed
it for the gallery, and his refined delicacy shrunl
} from so public an exposure of the fascinatin!
charms of his highly respected sister; and HI
resolved that it should not be desecrated by pub
lie gaze. Accordingly he locked it in his own
room, designing at some future time to agreeabl,
surprise his mother and sister. Notwithstanding
his resolutions, he felt secret desire that i
might grace the wall of his gallery, which
strengthened every time he viewed it; and a
length with much hesitation he placed it there
merely to try the effect. Once there, the tempt
alton could no longer be withstood, and he coult
not find courage to remove it. and while still
waverng the subject in his mind, he was inter
IruDted bv the entrance of two gentlemen. He