Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-02-10
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From The Morning Star.

There are Jewels, which silently repose inI
nemory's urn, and when, after years of slumber,
tney are brought forth into the light of reflective
thought, they glow with an undmnished lustre,
which surprises and bewilders the possessor-I
Many interesting events, which, perchance, had
a powerful influence in forming the channel of
our future lives, or in giving different impulse
to the energies Of our minds, may for long
time seem to be forgotten in the mistic caverns
of the past hut when the mind sinks down toI
rest from the excitements and tolls Of the present,
how they would rush up to view like bed of
city spires, in the darkness of night, when sud.
denly bdthed in sea Of electric fluid, And
for time, they may come and go as 6iu"y-
but when the cloud of obscurity passes BY and
the storm of passion subsidies, there they stand
perspcuous pile, and we seem to be living over
agan the scenes of other days,
IT'S thus that the interesting circumstances of
my brief acquaintance with Miss l., now
rise up like an insulated column, with an aston
ishing vvdness, before me.
We were Just fifteen. And though entering
upon the Threshold of womanhood, there was
yet enough of childish innocence in our hearts,
to discard the iormaIites of a seml-friendship,
and from our first meeting, we were no more
stngers. The circumstances unGer which we
met. we're favorable to the development of our
sentiments to each other, aud from our daily in
tercourses grew an intimacy which proved
comDens ltlon for the complexty Of science, and
the prosy sameness Of the school room, She
vas not what the world call beautiful but
there was an openness and sincerity in her coun-
tenance, which at once won confidence, and an
animation in her address, which captvated all
hearts. Though her pale face was at times so
pensiye aud spiritual, no one could come under
her Influence without drinking at the fountain Of
10y, which seemed forever bubbng up in her
heart.
never visited Eveyn's home but twice
aud tie contrast baween those visits, taught me
that change has fixed its impress, even where
we least expect it. Mr.. T. was then
warden of the Mass. State Prison, and conse-
quentIy resided within the walls.
Twas in the afternoon of fine day in sum-
me-, when we passed through Green St. where
he archng trees almost oyershadowed u.s. and
thence onward to the Prison grounds. When
we approached the massive gate, and rung the
bell for admission, felt an involuntary shudder
ng, but the pleasant countenance Of my frlenc
treasured me yet when we had entered, and thu
ponderous key turned upon us, there was an r
reslsthe awe crept over me but the little Elder
which at once came into view, dispeled all need
less alarms. Yes it was little Eden-that hom
of hers-and where shall begin to describe il
The foreground was large garden, displaying
fine collection of trees and shrubbery, and tn
winding walks led through labyrinths of foliage
where the emerald branches were quite aliv
with singing birds.
In the Underground, stood large brick house
with venetian blinds, trelissed with fragrant vine
and variety of flower pots were tastcfuIy d
posed on the graSs-pat in front
This was the residence provided by the Stat
for Mr.. LIS family. The external appea
ance was no less pleasing than the internal ella
tic sofas and soft ottomans invited US to repos
while the charms of sweet music coursed d
llcousIy through our veins, and the laurel
fresh tlours distilled an intoxicating pleasu
over the sensibiIites. The cheerful voices
happy children, reverberated through the. hal
making its walls ring with innocent merrimen
A spirit of domestic joy pre9aded the who
scene Every face wore an expression, whiC
we'll indicated that their cup of earthly blesse
ness was brimed, All it was too fulfil
grape, whe too ripe, perishes
The background presented large yard int
spersed with huge piles of granite and timber
At the lower end was bed Of water, and on I
left railroad, which intersected each other
There saw some of the poor prisoners at wo
upon the stone They struck me at first glanc
as plodigies-ther uniform was so burlesque
one side of their caps, jackets and pants W
blue, and the other side red, all being manufa
tured of coarse wooden cloth
On the right, stood the chapel work sho
and prison-an immense building of stone
first visited the workshops, where almost an en-
less variety Of mechanism was in operation Il
poor creatures seldom looked up from their wo
but kept toding on in their wretchedness.
how pitted them
| noticed in the blacksmhs room, color
man, Of prodiglous muscular powers Mr. l.
told me he was placed there for murder in san
frod At that instant he turned his wild ey
up to mine, and my heart tainted Within m
1t was evident from his look, that there still bu
ned in his bosom the spirit of Cain.
asked my friend if she were not afraid
live in the midst of them. " Not in the least
she replied, "wc have been here ten years, sor
Of them are in the house every day, and tn
always show us marked respect. And the CHI
dren are very much attached to some of them
We next visited the prson-the cook-roo
was quite a curlosty-a long board was cover
with pealed potatoes, and three sides of sm
room were literally covered with huge loaves
brown bread. In the center of the building W
long hall, with white-washed walls and ceiIin
and large windows of iron lattice-work. TT
place was very cool and delightful, but the lit
cells that opened from it, possessed gloom encu!
to darken dozen halls | entered one of the