Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-03-01

man; then did fearful weight of woe,
greater than she could bear, crush down the
strong spirit Of that sister, then did the
shadows of a mighty grief fall on the clear
brows of those little children, and the So
lemnity Of dread misfortune fill their ten
der hearts, hushing the laugh of Joy and
the careless prattle of innocence.
A short time after the events above mar
rated, Caroline Harton left her home for a
boarding school in an eastern city. She
had been in disgrace with her family ever
since her vain attempt to benefit her friend,
by an appeal to her fathers mercy before
the court. Her conduct was deemed in the
highest degree improper and unlaGy-like,
and her affection for George deemed as a
crime. Her brother accompanied her to
Il seminary, and afterwards proceed
ed to New York, where he was to pursue
the study of the law, under an eminent prac-
titioner.
Before Caroline left W, she mana
ged to send George Mason an anectionate
letter of farewell, which the youth wept
over, and placed between the leaves of his
Bible.
As prisoner, George could not complain
of i'll usage. The jailor, old Jack Brady"
as he was called, a warm-hearted Irishman,
had much sympathy in the Young mans
misfortunes, and treated with uncommon
consideration one SO unlike a common GRIM
inal He did not confine him in cell but
gave him good sized aud quite comforta-
/, bic apartment, and did not require him to
t labor more than his inclination prompted.
r George had books, writing materials, &c.
in his room, and little white muslin cur
tain concealed, somewhat, the bars of his
window.
, Julia Mason came once a week to see her
brother, but the season, the distance, and
: above all, her mothers i'll health, prevented
: more frequent visits. The sweet girl never
! panied her brothers poor heart by the slight
, est blame or reproach, but ever spoke to him
r hopefully and most tenderly. But George
, never smiled, aud seldom raised his sad eyes
from the ground. His proud spirit was
E bowed by the sense of his humiliation, as
1 by the weight Of years and many sorrows.
Weeks had passed, and every week an
Y age to the suffering and remorsefu soul of
' George Mason. 1t was the morning of the
: first of January. Tossing on his sleepless
| couch, he had heard the old year rung out
= and the new year rung in; and now, outside
\ cries of meeting friends" A happy new
year," GA happy new yearW He sat with
his head bowed on his hands, thinking sor-
n rowinlly on the happiness gone by forever.
3 1t were a mockery now to wish him happy
< new year, even were there any near who
1 cared for him /: he was desolate, despairng.
e Suddenly steps were heard on the stone
| pavement without-.<the massive bolts few
y back-the door swung open-and old Jack
: Brady called out, Master George, here is
your father"
# George sprang eagerly forward, then pau
S sed, aud cast down his eyes, while his face
: became deeply crimsoned. The next mo-
a ment he was clasped in a close and lender
e embrace. He wound his arms about his
r father, he chung to him, but he dared not
!, meet mis- eye. q" Look up my sonW cried
: Mr. Mason, "you are no criminal, but dear
h er than ever to my heart for all you have
= sull'ared-look upw But George only bu-
:, ried his face in his fathers bosom and wept
) aloud.
If And thus they stood, locked in that close
n embrace, trembling aud swaying with the
Y passionate outburst of ungoyernabe emo
o tion-sob answering for sob, tear falling for
tear, and words of gentle soothing replied
" to broken confessions, aud low, sweet terms
is of household tenderness fell from the lips
1t of that strong man, interrupted by fond
kisses, which he pressed on the brow OF ms
IS son, as it were an infant he held in his arms
Mr.. Mason soon proceeded to remove his
g family 20 W, SO that they might be
near George to administer to his comfort
d and cheer his loneliness.
This was. indeed, happy change FOL
!, George for though the abors aud duties
|; of his father and oldest sister prevented their
1T being much with him, and the i'll health Of
IF his mother precluded the idea of her visit
inq his sad home, he was often allowed the
W company of his younger sisters, and little
J. brother aud the visits of these dear child
d rem were so many CLEANS of sunlight on his
dark path.
t, During the winter and spring the health
y of Mrs. Mason rapidly failed, till all might
d behold the shadows of the coming night
1, falling around her. Sorrow and misfortune
had done their office work, and that worn
e spirit was at length sinking beneath their
&c stern minlstratons
One evening, early in May, while Julia
y was making one of her brief visits to heI
y brother, a messenger came from her home,
4 saying that sudden change had taken
- place in the invaIid-that he feared she was
. dying Julia rose up to go, but George
chung to her, with cry of anguish, saying
: that he mast see his mother once more
i The jaiIor heard this, and dashing teal
=, from his eye, without staying to consider
i whether the law would justify him, bade
10 George go home with his sister, and remain
J. until morning.
n All, old Jack Brady, God will reward thee
l. for that
l. cannot describe the scene at that death
y bed. No mortal pen could adequately de
r scribe it. Yet there the wild weeping OF
is the children-the pale, calm grief of Julia
o the anspeakable sorrow of the husband and
|. father-all could not compare with the dread
ia anguish of spirit with which George bent
e over the dying form of his mother. Bitter,
t. remorseful thoughts, and terrible misgivngs
l. pierced and lacerated his breast, like the
e quick thrusts of a two-edged sword; and
@ though she smiled on him when he came,
5, and laid. back the hair from his forehead
e and kissed his quiyering lips, and kissed hi: