Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1851-03-06

swell MS D'leONl rs MS eve sttulCd 10 rest
laniliarly upon Mares lovely face. il was
strange, passing strange that thoughts Of
his mother aud his home, with It's fowers
and streams, and green clustering vines and
white butterflies and birds, rose on his tear
filled vision like fond reality when be ga
zed upon the humble servant, and long after
she was gone. HIS heart treasured Forever
the sensations of that moment
-Four years had passed from the death Of
madame MelcGur, when woman dressed
IN the humble but picturesque costume of
the peasants Of Auvergne, walked down the
streets Of Brioude, towards the dwelling Of
the clergyman of the village. She stood
for lew seconds, aud gazed upon the clio
sed windows and neglected garden u sinad-
anne Melcmur, aud then wiped ieas from
her eyes, as she continued her course. The
cottage of the minister had undergone a
change since she had last seen it, The vines
were trimmed and trained by some careful
aud tasty baud and the tha,ch upon the
roof was carefully, aud even elegantly orna-
mented with willow twigs aud flowers. The
borders Of the little garden we're free from
weeds, and the blossoms shone like prismat-
&c stars from the clumps and clusters OF
fresh green leaves.
Is NJ. Rideaux at home, madame ? said
the stranger, when an aged dame, with yell
low turban, aud large speciacles set in tor
toise-shel case, opened the door
NJ Rdeaux. my dear + replied the vou-
bic old dame, turning up her eyes and sigh
ing, ah, hope he IS at home; but his sue
Cessor, my master, is III this house BE
pleased to step u' Marie Brioude, for it
was she, followed the aged housekeeper IN
20 the parior, library, and studio of the
young clergyman OF the village, who receiv-
ed her with a smile Of sweeles., sadlest well
come
Re seated, my friend, he said, pointing
10 char, aud al the same time resumng
has seat at hls table. You seem 10 have
travelled far
have travelled willingly and so 90 not
feel thai my journey has been ,ohsome,
said Marie as she opened the folds OF the
clolk that almost concealed her face.
come TO execute the Will OF my more than
mother
The voice and manner of the humble
stranger struck the young clergyman SO
forcibly, that lmpelled by some secret lnhu-
ence Of respect, he arose and bowed.
am a native of Brioude, and was once
a little outcast IA it, continued the noble
gil with emotion; and owe al am, o,
ever shall be, to one who adorned it, and
honored humanity, while she dweli on earth.
She died, said Marie, her toaes changing
from the accents of fihal PRIDE aud nrati-
iude TO those OF sollest sadness, leaving
her home, 90 be devoted to The purpose to
which death denied her the power of con e.
Grating her me. i have now a5Idife1tShe
means necessary OF establishing the little
school which my dear mother Intended;
AMI shall devote the life which She pres
e0ed and sustained 20 this object OF her
love. Madame Me.ceur, sir, leli the deed
Of settlement with NJ. RdeauX, and perhaps
You are now the trustee IN thia business p
Marie received no answer to the question
thus addressed, aud when she looked upon
her listener, his face was dgitatcd with pro-
found emotion.
My sister, whom | have so longed to
see said Ernest at last, stepping forward
aud gently taking the hand of Marie
Thou who Dearest so much of my mother
in thy voice, and eyes, and heart oh well
come to my humble homer
house were soon thrown open to the sun
beams, and they came dancing in at the VIM
dows, and played with the curls OF lule
children whom Marie Brlc1de taught To
read; and they kissed the rosy cheeks and
lips Of the chdren whom she taught TO
pray The flowers that had so long crap
pied with each other IN uncutured animus-
ly,now shot up into beauty and order when
she approached them aud Ernest Melcwar,
wlo had often shed tears of grief when he
looked upon the home of his youth, aud
thought of her who was wont TO bless him
there, now smiled when he approached its
preclntcs, for his mothers spirit, dwelling IN
Mare, had revived all of beauty or good
ness that was ever associated with his home.
lie came again aud again to his own old
dwelling, now Illuminated by womau's de-
voton and womans love- He often spoke
to Marie of their first meeting, for he soon
recognized IN her, she who was only SER
want la the house of Dora Froidart and he
dWelt SO often on the memory If the feel
lngs which those moments inspired that ever
Marie loved to hear him recount what haC
once been painful to her. BY and by III,
wise people begun 10 shake their heads, anc
smile, aud declare that something wonll
come of Ernesl's visits TO Marie Bnoude
Ca the midsummer day after AtSsis&s re
turn, there was Joyous lete upon the yil
lage green of Brioude. The lt,le children
of Marie's little school, with clean rosy fA
ces and boquels of flowers in their hands
/ were drawn up ~ semi-clrcle, while all lhl
villagers old and young, dressed in ,hei
Z holiday attire, stood smiling around them
; There was surely something Of great impor
lance 10 be done IN BfiOude that day, 10
the good old MARE rubbed his hands ant
smiled, and looked grave and wise, as h
!, walked arm IN arm with Ernest MeeeaF
and'then turned and looked at Mare, VIII
presented cake and grapes TO the objects q
her love and care. At last the MARE ap
; preached the young school mistress, aud IN
= heart seemed TO grow too large for his be
som as he removed his hat from his mead
aud unrolled a cartel which he carried u
his hand. 'Citizens,' he said, with emo
lion, Il congratulate our dear Marie Brioud
, upon receiving the highest Moniyon prize
D OF this season, for her self-deulal and for he
noble devotion to the will OF her benelac
/, tress. As lie spoke, he placed the medal o
-. Iaas.I