Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1853-11-27
3derlarftp.
From Ae Massachusetts Life Boat.
Pictures Of Lie.
CHAPTER l.
BY MAY MEADOWS.

their father; and tossing the little, goldenhaired
fairy high in the air. he perched her on his shoulder
where, with one dnlpled arm thrown lovingly round
his neck, the other, playing with the dark-brown
eurls, that clustered in rich prOfuson his brow,
she sat, her clear voice ringing out like silver bell
And Frankly ran here and there, culling the white
and blue asters, that grew by the ane-side for mo-
/ ther.
80 Annie, we did wrong to run away from Pom
to, when he is so lame. Poor Ponto," said Frankly
as adog came limping towards then one foot scarce
touching the ground. He stopped down and ca
ressed him fondly, and, seating himself on the
ground, filed his collar with the bright flower
stars
"What is the matter with POnto?" said the father,
as Annie's eyes grew moist, and her lip quiyered,
"he was not lame this morning"
"Billy Roberts threw stone at him this after
noon, and hurt his foot very much" and Franky's
voice chOked, as the dog held up his paw and look
ed wshfuly in his face as though comprehending
the sympathy bestowed on him.
BILLY is a naughty boy and do not and 1rM
not love him." and little Annie's ruddy check grew
crimson. Il will not give him any more flowers,
and he shall not look at my rabbits again."
"Annie, darling, you must love him, and pity him
too, poor boy. DO you know there is no one in the
wide world to care for him. no one to teach him
what is right? Annie, he has no dear mother, as
you have. She lies in the cold ground and her
lonely grave is covered with weeds and grass His
father is a drunkard, wicked cruel father Don't
you pity him! VIII you forgive him. Annie?o
"Oh, will" sObbed the little child II will lore
him, too, and give him my white rabbit and beau
tiful rOsebush and then he can have them to love.
Is that his father that sits always in Mr.. Wileys
store; that man with great cross, purple eyes? am
afraid of him."
,"Yes, lie is poor Billy's father.p F-
20, am so glad, dear papa, you do not drink
rum; and you viii never be such cross, wicked
man, viii you?"
The father pressed his darling close to his bosom,
and smiled. All! seest thou not the gIttering folds
of that bright serpent, in the path before you?
Thou seeSt them not They are hid among flowers
whose heavy Odors ull thy senses and thou nearest
not the warning sound. o. is there nothing TO avert
the fatal stroke?
Secst thou not Love and Hope weeping beneath
the solemn yew-tree? All! no: thine ewes are daz-
zled by the bright rays of the sun of Pleasure and
thou seest nought but the gold and purple clouds
that gather around it, That sun will set. Those
gorgeous clouds will lose their spcndors, and fold
in darkness round thy head, to break in sorrow,
tears and death.
"Ah! see mother watching for us Now who
will reach her irSt?"
lovely woman stood leaning on the wicket, her
head resting on fair, dimplcd hand. A smile of
happiness, and God forgive her) perhaps of pride,
played around her lips as she watched the approach
of her loved ones. The sun glittered through the
leaves and quvered and flashed on her dark reSSes,
like coronet Of jewels Was it symbol of that
"fre-crOwn" of suffering, soon TO press her
aching head, or of that glorious diadem that bathes
the brOwS of angels in celestial light?
"Tea ready Ellen?" said Walter, as they saunter-
cd towards the vncclad cottage, their happy child
rem gamboling before them for Annie had siillc,l
her aching heart, by repeating to her mother all
the gifts and love TO he bestowed on poor Billy
Roberts, and Franky's bright asters nestled in her
BOSOM
"All ready, and waiting" she returned, with
smile.
Always punctual," and he continued, as he ga
zed in love on her beaming face "What household
treasures possess Can l ever be happier"
How sweet that cottage meal, for Contentment
Health and Affection clustered in the happy group,
around the Widespread board The luscious grape
and rosy peach We'd with the fragrance of the
steaming urn. The light, warm biscuit peepcd
temptingly from beneath the snowy napkin, while
a plate Of yellow butter and golden honey rested
inyitingly on either side.
The little birds twittere,l among the vine leaves
at the windows, and the bees were still hummng in
the mellow sun beams around the door. The katy
did herald of the fading leaf, commenced his chrp
among the trees, rs the sun sank lower and lower,
and tho singing of the little rill, the whispering
grass, grew louder, as the sounds of labor died
away among the hills.
Those peaceful hours, their sweet remembrance
will CLEAN on darkened path of prvatOn and toll,
and gild the tears of suffering, the only light but
that which shines beyond the river of death
"YOu look weary, Walter" said Ellen as she
again filled his cup
''Weary in body, but not in heart" he answered
WIN smile. Il nave Decn taking account oil stock
to-day, and the result is beyond my most sanguine
expectations; and you know you always thought
my expectations rather fighty. In year or two
we shall be able to leave this cottage and build n
better house, though really Ellen, you do not look
as though that was very pleasing intelligence he
added, iaughingly, he observed shade of
thoughtfulness fit over her face.
'O l was only thinking l never should be hap
pier than have been here and do love these cot
tage walls" said she, looking around the pleasant
little room. "a thousand pleasant memories clus-
ter in every nook of this dwelling, for you know,
Walter, this was my first home with you. SO do
not chide she continued, payfully, "for shade of
seriousness at the thought of leaving it."
Franky had been listening with tears in his eyes.
Father" he at last exclaimed, 81 do not want to
live in nice house. Who will tend the flowers
and feed the birds and train our beautiful vines?
And my little brook, said he, as his ear caught its
purling, "what shall l do without that"
30, you are entering your protest, Frank, also.
All, me, wonder who viii win the day" said his
father, laughngly. "Why Frank, we'll have a
fountain that shall throw the crystal water far above