The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-11-22
II. SEWARD.
The Angel Of the Leaves.
by MISS uASNAH GOULD.


90 Alas alas 80 said the sOrrowing Tree, "my
beautiful robe i gone il has been torn from me ,
It, faded pieces whirl upon the wind they rustic
beneath the squirrels foot he searches for his
nut they float upon the passing stream and on
the quiycring lake. Woe Is me for my dear,
green verdure il gone. Ii the gift Of the Angel
Of the Leaves have lost il, and my glory is van
ished my beauty has disappeared; my summer
honors have passed away. My bright and comedy
garment, alas IL Is rent into a thousand parts.
Who will weave me such another Piece by piece
has it been stripped from me. Scarcely did sigh for
the Ices Of one another wandered of on air.
The sweet sound Of music cheers me no more. The
birds that sang in my bOsOm were disrnaycd al my
desolation-thcy have flown away with their songs.
" stood in my pride. The sun Frightened my
robe with his smile; the zcphyrs brcathed softly
through it, glossy iods the clouds strcwed pearls
among them. My shadow was wide upon the
was fair % the heavens. But now, how changed :
Sadness u upon me; my head IL shOrn my arms
are stripped; ] cannot throw a shadow on the
ground Beauty has departed; gladncss i gone
heart and sunk into the earth. am thirsty. am
cold. My naked limbs SILVER in the chilly air the
keen blast comes pitiless among them. The win
ter j. coming. ] am destitute. Sorrow is my pOr-
ton mourning must wear me away How shall
account 20 the Angel, who clothed me, for the loss
Of his beautiful gift,'
The Angel had been listening. In soothing ac-
cents be answered the laTnentation
." My beloved Tree" said he, be comfOrtcd,
am by thee still, though every lcafhas forsaken thee
The voice Of glsdncss u hushed among thy bOuRhs;
but let my whisper console thee Thy sorrow il
but for a season. Trust in me. Keep my promise in
thy heart BE- patient and full ofhopc Letthe words
leave with thee abide and cheer thee through the
coming winter Then will ] return and cloth,
thee anew.
The storm will drive rudey over thee tn,
snow will eft among thy naked limbs. But thcs,
will be light and passing Affections. The ice will
weigh heavily on thy helpless arms but il shall
dissolve 10 tears. IL shal pass into the ground
and b. drunken by thy roots. Then will Il crccI
1 up, in secret beneath thy bark, aud spread int,
/ the branches IL has oppressed aud help TO ador1
| them. ] shall be here TO use IT,
"Thy blood has retired fOr safety. The fros
would chill ard destroy Il II has gone into th]
mothers bosom for her ~ keep il warm. Eartl
will not rob her offspring. She il a careful pa
rent; she knows all the wants Of her children an,
forgcts not 10 provide for the least Of them. Tn
\ sap that has for while gone down will make IN,
roots strike deeper, and spread wider; and removes
and strengthened, it shall return 10 nourish IL,
! heart Then, il thou shalt have remembered am
! trusted in my promise, will fulfil IT, Buds shall
shoot forth on every bough. will unfold snOthe
robe for thee. will color and Ct it in every part
. II shall be a concly raimcnt. Thou shalt forge
. thy present SORROW. Sadness shall be swallowed n
ofjoy Now, my beloved Tree, fare thcc veil for
season.
The Angel was gone. The cold. muttering win
/ ter drew near The wild blast Whistlcd fUr th
storm. The storm came, and hOwlcd round III
Tree But the word Of the Angel was hidden j
her heart II sDOthed her amid the threatening
the tempest. The cc-Cakcs ratified on her limbs
and loaded and weighed them down.
"Ny slender branches said she, "let not III
burden overcome youl Break not beneath ia
heavy aifiiction-break not! but bend, I'LL you ca
spring back 70 your places Let not twig 81 20
be lost Hope must prop you up for while, an
the Angel will reward your patience. You vi
wave ia softer air. Grace shall be- again in you
motion, and a renewed beauty hang around you.
The scowling face Of winter began 20 lose it, ie,
lures The raging storm grew faint, and breathe
its last The restless clouds fretted themselves
fragments; these scattered on the sky, and wei
+ brushed away The sun threw down bundle
golden arrows, that fell upon the Tree. The ic
cakes glittered as they came. Every one was 5ha