Democratic banner., 1849-01-01

childhood disturbed the echoes in the deep
~vistss of the forest, and the birds answered
from the high branches to the happy notes
Of the Samboiers beneath them.
The mother watched them in their play
as she piled her wheel, while a happy smile
!played in her eyes with a brightness so full
iof L$fe aud foudness, that the last ray Of
he sak;ns sun retired in dungeon al be-
iing surpassed by the holy light.
The night stalked forth over hill and val
ley, stretching his long and shadowy arms
afar and near as he gathered mp the day
into his dark wallet, when Hubert.
i:arned lis weary footsteps to the home that.
Ihas been pictured. He plodded through
the tangled pat. with a heavy tread, but
Istit lie whist!ed on: a biithesome air, for
lnis t:eait was on the pati. before him, and
he Thought OF nothing between himself and
home.
! But; there was something in his path, that
ieuvying his sturdy step and litIiesome heart,
Icowered with spite amid the underwood,
and threw forth before him the twining
t;orny branches TO delay him On his way.
1t was one Of the evil fairies Of the wood,
ia spirit that gathered the deadly bright
iberries from the branch, and mixed them
10 a huge stcne cAIdron in the deep rccrs-
ses Of d rocky ~ravine, always lodging the
footsteps Of m~artsls, TO persuade them,
with fascinating wiies, to drink from her
fairy cup, which quickly destroyed the
ciasm OF all beside in nsture; for so strong
was the drought that it made the dark
yawnipl precipice appear to the bewilder-
ed sight of the drinker, a Turing field of
sweet-scented flowers, and bright ripping
brooke, Until, in his insanity, the poor de-
iirdal victim dessesss ID s:a.gch sad al he
loved, and found, too :ate, tia, ne had sold
himself as a slave to lis willy aud decei,ful
temper.
AT a sudden turn Of his path no started,
on behoiding at the foot Of the gnarled tree,
a beautiful female figure, with a dress Of nj
my texture, girded with a bright cincture
round her yielding waist, her beautiful
limbs appearing and disappearing under
the transparent folds like those of a swim
mer who disports himself among the waves
of the sea. She arose with downcast looks
as he timidly approached. Her bright eyes
fell as if with a ,imid modesty, and the deep
~roseate tinge CT her enammelled cheek,
grew deeper under his ardent gaze.
Hubert DOTTED his cap, as this beautiful
being rose from her recumbent posture, but
stood irresolute and embarrassed by the awe
inspiring charms Of the creature before
him. At last, after gazing a moment more,
he summoned up his courage and address
ed her. LADY said he, 'fear me not, ]
will not harm you; il you have wandered
from your home, or missed your friends il
the intricacies of the forest, you can have
no surer guide than your humble servant.
A smile fitted like a bright light acros.
the fair face of the fairy, her lips Enclosed
e and forth issued a voice as melodious and
a enchanting as-!Ie ~softest flute.
Al 'Child of e~srtli,' said she. sthese woods
I are my home: ! ain the spirit Of Perfec'
e Happiness. Behold my magic cup A.
i she spoke, she held up to his view a Sal
8 cup of rare workmanship, formed in the
tIfashion of the wild blue bell. 1t sparklet
E, with sapphire-Iike lustre at every moment
r as drops of liquor fell like diamonds from
v its brim, this cup continued sl'e,' 'wa'
tIgiven me by the fairy Hope, who never
: looks behind her, that. past shadows ant
e misfortunes may not cast q shadow on Hh'
future. Without hope, mortals would al
: wither and die in the black valley Of dis
e pair; she was sent to encourage them,
sIguiding star through the troubles of thu
Q world, that they might reach the abode o.
}, perfect happiness. Few mortals meet will
/. me while living. / appear occasionally
and let them drink Of my cup, when thinl
Ithey deserve from their goodness to par