Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-03-14

the dust OF the past, Wnefe Win IeilSiOuS
resignation she had long since labored to
bury all repinings, these visions started out
of their graves, like so many spectres, haun-
ting painfully the spirit that had struggled
to shake off their power. Esta's life had
been a checkered scene; but her heart had
bravely done its battlings, and they had
wrought strength. maturity, sublimity, into
the moulding of her character. Thrown
from the very heights of wealth and FASH
ion as she had been, before her seventeenth
summer bad expired, the shock had olsen
numbered the forces OF her mind, the daunt-
lessness Of her energy awoke, and the
weight of misfortune, instead Of proving an
intellectual paralysis, had exalted her 10 a
truer aud worthler superiority than all the
advantages the most exhaustless aifiuence
could have conferred. Thrsustre of genius
and moral endowmen;s seldom put on their
full glory Ill they are brought down to prac-
tical contact with practical human life. 1t
is in the actual, and not merely in the ide-
al, thai we are to look for the demonstra-
ton of those elements of true greatness
which are beautiful IN theory, and tenfold
more beautiful when they shine up like a
li-lt out of the thick darkness, or rising
sun on the midnight.
E,ta had watched the slow decay of her
fond fathers life, shattered and broken by
reverses and disappointments, and she had
been the sweet angel lowering about his
death couch. Her voice had soothed the
last wild rawlings Of her maniac step-moth-
er, whose reason had also fallen when the
Iar 10
crumbled away and now, though she knew
herself to be shrned in the deep tenderness
of loving hearts, though smiles were above
and around her, there were moments like
this, when from the very light Of gladness,
and from the preferred need Of admiration,
her thoughts turned inward, to clothe them
selves in the garments of heavlneSs.
The ringing of the door-bel reused Esta
from her mnslng. She looked up and met
the soft gaze of her sisters gentle eyes.
You have really been amusing me BY
your unwonled gravity, E>ta; you must
have had but solemn gathering at Miss
Linsey's judging by your moodIness. | am
almost sorry my husband Is not up to rally
yoar spirits said Mrs Parkinson, gayly.
| am truly all enigma 10 myself, replied
Esia; | don't know why, but the festivity
aud joyousness Of the evening have broke
open channel of though. which has been
worn by some of my darkest experiences,
dear Sophia
She was interrupted by the entrance Of
servant, who presented neatly developed
package, carefully sealed, and in bold, bu-
siness autograph directed to herself
a valentine valentine = shouted Mrs.
Parkinson, laughng-'l have half mind
to break it open myself, you are SO deilber-
ate ana / am so ensIous!
Esta tore of the white wrapping-sheet-
A beautiful sandal-wood moucholr-box =
exclaimed Mrs. Parkinson. How delicate
~ carved, aud lii what exquisite tufts of
foliage and yiue-work. Pray look inside,
and see if it is not full Of little s.lver-top-
ped bottles oliavenoer, jasmine, and eau de
rose My what aloveiy thing I'll nev-
er SANDER ST. Valentine again
But don't you long to know where ii
came from. Sophie! said Esta. shall ar
raign Dr. Parkinson, and am inclined TO
believe he will not presume to plead not
guilty.
80 no, indeed, Es,a," returned Mrs
Parkinson, laughing, DO you think such
sober old man would be sending valentines
10 the young ladies' wlthou, my consent 2
The box was opened, and another small
developed package lay in the bottom.
" hat can II be p SAID Mrs. Parkinson,
whose enthusiasm every moment increased
" Do be quick, Esta, darIing-how l wish
husband were awake have half mind
to call him. continued the sweet wife, who
always lost the best of her enjoyment unless
it were shared with her beloved.
% no, no, Sophie, he would only make
all the fun in the world ofu urged Esta,
as she drew forth richly inlaid case.
A card case! what splendid thing y
exclaimed Mrs. Parkinson, as the light from
the lamp fell on the surface, aud seemed to
glance off from lis polished brightness.
1t is daguerreotype SAID Esta, fix
ing her eyes on one of the manifest and no.
best faces she had ever seen. Look look
Sophie-pray help me recognize him Who
can il be! am sure--and yet not quite sure |
| must have had glimpse OF the original
but when or where am unable to say
There, sister, look that is my beau ideal 7
never mean 10 marry until find the orr
ginal of this picture! If you meet with
him first commend ME TO him.
l never saw him. replied Mrs. Parkin- [
son, and more than that, don't belive it
is any body-nobody ever looked so finely.
What expressive eyes and what a forehead,
Esta'
% but it must be somebody said Esta,
laughing at her sisters skepticism-' you
know there cannot be fancy Daguerreotypes!
But here is note-perhaps my incognlto
intoduces himself!
The note was penned in the same bold
autography as the address, and simply STA
ted that the writer would offer his apollo /
gies in person for inirudlng into the presene
of stranger lady unless note superscribed
To ST. Valentine" should reach him
through the post-office, prohibiting that lib
erty.
Mrs Parkinson and Esta sat discussing
the contents ofthe package till the lateness
OF the hour compelled them to separate to
their own apartments. will not aver that
Esta fell asleep Immediately, nor declare
the utterances Of her night vision, when she