Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1850-02-22

that the shadows seemG like spectral host
as Close TO the Ereside, where burned or rath,
lg smoked single etick was drawn a cot upo
whose straw layer recined the pale and ein,
"a GATED mother, covered only by one thin al
u, tattered guilt. Beside her slumbered it'll,
u msagre, purple child, nine three or four year
y d; old; Upon heap ofstraw, in the corner, at
., 'l'tIe distance, slept t'o other children, an ol
II worn woo'en blanket wrapped closely aroun
Them. Upon rickey chair, almost within tn
Al chimney Ilace, sat tie sightless father, sooth
d ing genly-as thoup he were a womln--th
e moans Of little on, which had known bu
:. two summers. A ssall pine table was nea
d the bed, upn which TODD an old bo,ils the necl
y broken off, so as to support cheap follow can
| die. Beside il lean-a young lad, of about ten
e his head bent closely to the pages of an old
u much worn book. few plates, single spoon
e knife, cup and saucs, with couple Of tin pans
g were arranged on tsc shelf over tine fireplace
and this was the ,,,mmary of Ellen's inven
'oryrho ,ao,ho.,oo;, H.. a,.,
I ter, are the kind friends to whom we are sc
much indebted i've mother strove to raise
herself, Tut fell baci and could only murmur il
a faint voice, God less you. God bless you !!
The blind father, as,e took the hands which
) Mr. Lee and Ellen extended, wet them with
NO tSdio anu WIN d>HOheu VDICe, Sdlu--
These sightless yes cannot see your faces
but this poor, stricke heart will always keep
your memories gree. ] would try to thank
you, but sympathy ad kindness are so new to
us, they move us totGeep.y for words.
Having gained I'll, mastery of their emotions
Mr., Lee entered instrumentation with the hus-
band, and learned hiihslory, while Ellen, by
the bedside o. the moher, listened to whisper
ed recital OF her yong daughters devotion.--
iheir story was sad, out trite only one tone OF
mat voice that goei waiting through the SUBJ
urbs of every town; that voice, which, stea ling
up rom damp cellss, down from dusty garrets.
out from gloomy alhys and dark courts-berds
in strain, which, low and pantive at first,
will swell and echotl the great soul of hu-
mantv is moved to nigel deeds-lil love reign.
eth upon earth as Ills in heaven.
I'VE have parted with all the comforts we
ever had, said the f, her TO his visitors, as he
concluded his brief tile, 'all, all save that old
book, my mothers Bible Thank God poor
mems spirits may cat and drink, and keep warm,
though their bodies starve AMI freeze!'
| Clocsiy did Ellen cling to her fathers arm, as
at length, emerging rom that lowly home, they
found themselves again in the filthy street,
which, echong with he woes of degradation,
was well calculated TO terrfy the heart of a
timid girl.
Let us go home whispered she, as with
Quckened footsteps tiev passed on.
But we have not yet finished our tour, daugh
ter. The evening IS not far advanced; had we
not better continue 2
In sobbng voice, she answered. mo, no,
father, let us 60 home my heart needs relief
New Year day came with its pleasant festiv.
tiles. The splendid mansion of Mr. Lee, thrown
open to all his friends, presented scene of so.
cia enjoyment, at once bewilderng and beauti-
tul. A happy new year was the music Of each
lip; it thrilled the chords of every heart, and
sparkled in every eye. Happest among the
happy was the young daughter. She seemed
indeed to have qnatfed al the fountain, yea, and
TO have balhed in lis pure waters. Never had
her laugh rung out with merrier music never
had glance beamed with ~".n anger beauty !;
never had her vuice been so delicately sweet in
tone or her hand 81 cordial in its grasp There
was heaven in lnr young soul, and all she
did or said was tigod with light from the holy
fire within.
When, (and it vas often in the course of the
day. the conversation turned upon the gifts of
the holiday, Mrs. Lee exhibited pair of su-
perb silver pitchers Harry expatialed on the
merits Of a jet bhck poney George bore his
friends in triumlh to the gided cage Of
mocking bird ; while Ellen showed only small
basket, woven with exquisite skill from the
evergreens of the woodland, lined with tho soft.
est moss, into the handle of which was wrought
with the white blossoms Of the everlasting, the
single word-chality.
But you wouldnot have me inter, that this,
beautiful as it is, iaid an intimate friend as ia
viewed the rustic gift : is all you received for
the New Year,
'On no. replied Ellen with sweet smile
had large roll of bank bills from father
but having no use for them at present, ! put
them At interest
AT interest where, pray, and al what
r'te, said her questioner in an ncredulous
tone.
That is my secret, sir; but rest assured, it
was in bank that will never fail and which
pays interest in advance
Her secret-would you learn it In
pleasant upper room in one of the most com.
Portable tenements of a wide, airy street on the
skirts of the town, happy family will reveal
it,. Tney will show you their neat warm sit
ting room, with it's new rag carpet and white
curtains, caught up just enough to leave space
for the sunbeams to qnver amidst pots of green
geraniums and monthly roses. They will show
you, fathers large easy chair, and mothers
cushioned rocker; neat workstand and d.
ming table with snowy cloth; low seats for the
little one lounge for the weary, and neat
chairs for friends ; a cooking stove of the most
approved pattern a time piece and a pair Of
lamps, Furnished to almost silver brightness
They will take you into neat bedrooms COM
fortably fitted up; into pantry where new
dishes and bright tin are neatly arranged show
you closet, where basrcl OF -four and boxes,
and bags of provisions are stored, and a coal
bin where the black lehigh glistens, Yes, a
blind man, a pale woman, a gentle group of
joyous children, with streaming eyes and tre-
mulous lips, will tell you Ellen's secret. They
pray for her in the morning; they bless her at
night; they think Of her ever. She came to
them like an angel with healing in its wings, a
sweet minister of charity.
Two hundred and fifty dollars will buy a
great many things '--HarJord Times.
The Public Lands.