Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-09-09

cry circumstance, she could not think it her du.
Iy to submit to such an arbitration, and wisely
chose to decide for herself a question so inti-
mately connected with her own personal happi
ness through life. Young Blackstones charac.
ter had been fully canvassed in the mind of the
fair philosopher--had been weighed in the
balance and found wanting" He possessed an
elegant mansion in the city, which was often the
mothers tieme--but this, with all its magnif.
cence and splendor, could not in the least atone
Tor that deficiency in the young mans charac-
ter which must, ere long, brtg him to poverty
and shame. The mother mourned, or tried to
mourn, over the future prospects of her fair
daughter as she pictured her in kqr Imagination
occupying miss'ablq shantz i1Fnot corner of
her husbands shop for she Knew, as women
often presume toknow, that poor, laboring
mechanic could never be expected to have
place more worthy or more behung an accom-.
plished bride.
But we will leave the mechanic to his labor, and
the lawyer 10 his profession while we follow Mr..
Hand family to new home.
Times had changed. The chances for specu-
lation in the South and West presented peculiar
inducements to Mr.. Hammonds mind. He es-
tablishod himself at New Orleans. Here he
thought greatly to augment Ills riches in few
years and return to his native place with prince
ly honors. But, alas, could he haze lifted the
veil and looked but moment into fnturty-haye
read his brief history in the book of Fate, and
realized the force of the admontion, Thou
knowest not what day may bring forth, his
stout heart must have failed him long before the
final Crisis. But it is unnecessary here to enumer.
ate his mislortures, or detail the unexpected re-
verses he was so little prepared to meet. He was
reduced TO poverty. What now could exceed
the modification Of his one proud spirited and
aristocratic lady. For years she had lived in
the enjoyment of every luxury--basked in the
sunshine of every pleasure-been surrounded
with evrythirg that could render existence desir-
able nd life sweet-~and now to be suddenly de-
prived even the necessary comforts of life, was a
calamity she was little expeyting and total un-
prepared to meet. Her proud heart sank beneath
the trial.
Mr.. Hammond was COW compelled to resort to
his only remaining capital-his trade-for sub
sstancc. His comnodous aud elegantly fur,
nishod house was exchanged for miserable
substitute in the suburbs of the city, where the
mother mourned in solitude, and bitterly reproyed
herself for the folly she had exhibited in yielding
to her own caprice The thought was tobumil-
iating that her husbgMd should be compelled to
labor and she TO 2fspense with her domestcs
and prepare ner i. his With her own hands But
her Gun was moi yftfull. The veil vas yet to be
lifted that hung q,yKering between her present
care and the most dreadful of earthly sorrow.
She was left a widow.
Uuder these trying circumstances the amiable
Emma ev;nced the true heroism Of her sex, in
ministerng comfort and consolation to her almost
distracted mother, with the earnestness and sol
heart had been subducd by the gentle inaences
of love, and its pure glshirgs flowed sweetly in
soothing the sprrows Of the suffering and dis
tressed-with grace, and humility, and the sweet
ness of her temper, combined in restoring peace
and tranquility to the troubled spirit Thus, un.
der the healing inAaences of gsatlenasS and
love, the mother gradually recovered from her
grief-her spirit, choercd by hope, revived but
the multiplied cares and afflction Of latter years
had not failed to produce their legitimate effect
upon her heart. She was hn nbled, but not su b.
dued.
A year hal pissed The widow and her
daughter still occupied the small, uncomfortable
apartment where the father died. An air ol
sadness fingered about their humble abode 8
but loves messages from abroad at regular in.
tervals served 10 dlsspate the cloud from Emma
mind, while the hope of relief by her friends
saved her mother from despair
"What A letter from your old beau, con
clude," said the mother, one day, finding Emma
reading letter she had received that morning.
"Perhape," replied Emma, evasiveIy.
"Then the young lawyer has not forgotten
you ?"
"Perhaps he has not" said Emma promptly,
emphasizing the first word
Right" continued the mother, apparently
much delighted with the idea that her daughter
was holding correspondence with the the y goung
lawyer. Right-you know, Emma that he
was devoedy attached to you before we left
New England, and but for-VouF GOODNESS and in
difference would have made you his honored
bride, and thus spared you the su6arings you
have since then endured. But, better late thar
never he is worth dozen bIucksmiths."
"But you don't know, mother, what changes
have taken place in New England since we lef
there" replied Emma, with a smile; perhaps
you might now waive your objections to Mr.. Bar
ney."
"As you like, Emma. expect to remair
with you but a little onger-I have but a little
time to live. If you make bad choice it will bt
the worst to yourself. You know my mind"
Be of good cheer, mother you may YET
enjoy years of rest and happiness in that ele
cant mansion you so much admired in the city
ot--, in New England strange thing,
happen now and them"
To these last remarks Mrs. Hammond made
10 reply but concluded, in her own mind, tina
her daughter had finally consented to accept the
urofFered hand of the young lawyer who hat
been selected for her some years before, and who
she expected, from Emma,s hints, would soon re
move them to comfortable quarters in The ee
gant mansion in their native city. Emma read
her thoughts, but said nothing
"Does the widow Hammond live here ? in
ouired the driver Of a coach as he refined up his
-.-..-l ,.o.l. kocopa the door ono Ena ,nornin0 ~