Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1851-02-13

could have fought the battle for both. Yet
she knew that 1t could not so be: that we
must all learn for ourselves what are those
things which make for our peace. With
tears still 10 her eyes, she gave the good
night to the child, aud with soft step enter
ed the adjoining room, and there fairly kis-
sed out the old year on another chubby
cheek which nestled among the pillows
then she sought her own rest.
Soon she found herself in a singular
place. She was traversing vast plain no
trees were visible save those which skrted
the distant horizon ;--on their tops rested
wreath of golden clouds. Before her, trav-
cling towards that distant light, was fe-
male. Little children were about her, some
times at her side As she iourneyed OH,
she busted herself caring for them. Now
she soothed them when weary--now she
taught them how to travel, and again she
warned them Of the pitfalls and stumbling
blocks in the way. She helped them over
the ore and taught them to be wary Of the
other. She talked 70 them Of that golden
light which she kept constantly in view,
aud towards which she seemed TO be hasten
ing with her hllle flock But what was
most remarkable was, that. all unknown to
her, two golden clouds floaled above her, on
which repused two angels. Before each
was golden book and pen of gold. One
angel, with mild aud loving eyes, peered
constantly over the right shoulder, aud the
other over the left they flIlowed her from
the rising to the setting If the sun. They
watched every word and look, and deed, no
matter how trivial. When 1t was good the
Il IL I'll. at.. 4
smile, wrote it down IN his golden book
when evil however trivial, the angel over the
left shoulder wrote 1t down IN MS book -
Then he kept his sorrowful eyes on her, un-
til he found penltence for the evil upon
which he dropped tear upon his record
aud blotted 1t ont, and both angels rejoiced
To the Iookers-on It seemed as If the tray-
eler did htlex which was worthy Of such
careful record.
Sometimes she did but battle the weary
feet of her children, and the angel over the
right shO8titr wrote 1t down Sometimes
she did but wait patiently 10 lure back some
little truant who had taken a step IN the
wrong direction, aud the angel over the
right shoulder wrote it down.
Sometimes, with her eyes fixed upon the
golden horizon, she became So intent upon
her own progress as TO let the lIttle pilgrims
at her side ianguish or stray then 1t was
the angel over the left shoulder who lifted
the golden pen aud made the entry followed
her with sorrowing eyes, seeking to blot II
out. If wishing 10 hasten on her journey,
she left the little ones behind, 1t was the sor-
rowing angel recorded her progress. Now
the observer ielt, as she looked on, that this
i,alr ri 10 tso,,
that journeys end. Those strong clasps of
gold on those golden books, also impressed
her with the beliefthat they were To he seal
ed for future opening. Her symtlthies
were warmly excited for the traveller, aud
with beating heart she quickeued her
steps that she might oyertake her, aud tell
her what she had seen, and entreat her to
be wa!chfu, and faithful and patient to the
end in her hie's work, for she had herself
seen that ITS results would all be known
when those golden books should be unclasp-
ed. That she must not think any duty,
which II fell Ia her way to do, trivial, for
surely there was an angel over her right
shoulder or one over the left who would re-
cord it all.
Eager to warn her of this, she gently
touched her. The traveller turned, aud she
recognized, or seemed to recognize, herself
Startled aud alarmed, she awoke and found
herself in tears The grey light of morn
ing struggled through the half open shutter,
the door was aJar, aud merry faces were
peeplng IN.
Wish you Happy New Year, mamma.
Wish you happy New Year
She returned the merry greetng-hearti-
ly. She seemed to have entered upon a
new existence, she had found her way
through the mazes where she had been en-.
tangled, and light was now abou, her path
The angel O0er her right shOHLicr, whom
she had seen in her dream, had assured hei
that her lIfe-worA was bound up in that gol
den book, aud its final results would b,
known-had assured her what was duty
now she saw plainly enough, what she hat
not seen before, that while IT was Tieht ans
important for her TO cultivate, as lar As sht
could her own mind and heart, it was equal
ly right aud equally important for her to per
form faithfully all those ittle household du
ties and cares, on which the comfort or yir
tue Of her family depended.
They had acquired a new dignity from
the records of that golden pen--and the
could not he neglected without danger.
Sad thoughts and misgiyings, and un
gratiied longings seemed all TO have takel
; their flight with the Old Year. aud it wa
with new resolution, and a cheerful hope
and happy heart, chat she welcomed th
New Year.