Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-10-16
NJ ISCELLAN Ne o u S.
TIE BELOVED SMILE.
ny WINNIE WoopFERN.

It was beautiful summers day, when
the SUI shone out just hot enough to MAXI
the little seat under the black cherry tree
most desirable retreat, and the yellow
birds sung in the feathery branches of the
lareh, as if they were thanking their
Maker for giving them so beautiful home,
and US for listening SO admiringly to their
delicious music.
Breezes stirred now and then, as if in
search of something lost in the stately
trees, but returned 10 their covert too lazy
to make an effort to find it. And just be-
yond our pleasant home, the blue, bright,
glorious sea was heating and yelling with
gentle motion, as il it asked us 70 glide
swiftly over its waters, in the bonny boat
that bore my own neme upon The stern,
the flag tipped mast, and the larry oars.
The tide was slowly going out, and the
waves surged up against the sea wall with
low music no other voice could make
while the vessel anchored far out in the
harnor, the CHEEKY voices or merry songs
of the sailors, iloated over to mihgte with
Its murmaring ZONES.
" as it the sky CT dazzling Blue, neck ed
here and there with white heeey cloud
like the wing of SNOW bird--uas it tie
cheqaered hight ard shade Of the stony
seat beneath the cherry tree, with the
snb1aed radiance II cast upon our fates---
was it the wondrous beauty of the oceai,
before us, or the half heard music OF our
own young hearts that still us into that
state of divinely calm rapture?
know mt ftpn ! lynnu- not rnxp
what thoughts were working in the hearts
of my companions, though fanced de-
tected a faint shadow of sadness in the
beautiful eyes Of Louise, but my own
heart and soul were the recipients of a
pleasure seldom understood or felt-at my
lips was golden draught. and quafed
it greediy, tho silently.
How wildly that scene comes before
The little seattle honeysuckles and
the violets that grew in rich profusion
around 1.-THE thee girls in :heir young
fresh beauty Louise, graceful and fas-
cinating, with her fair English face, brown
hair, and soft poetic eyes Of the deepest
and clearest grey,-Helen, softly featured.
blue eyed and fair haiied3 with winning
childish ways. and sweet, cllnging de-
pendence that won so many hearts,
Mary, fair as her sister. but more stately
more digniiied, more sclf-reliant, -and |,
at the feet of the trio, gazing first up in
their faces and then out on the bounding
sea--a rapt and happy dreamer!
The deep mourning of the orphan Sis
tiers and the soft bright ones Of the lawn
dresses Louise and both wear, form a
pleasing contrast, wlich is heightened. by
the dusk green of the branches behind US,
and the cold grey OF the granite seat, and
on the left, half hidden by the peach and
poplar trees that shade lis rustic portico
the small brown cottage stands, with its
canopy Of green vines and purple bunche.
of grapes, its blush roses and morning
slorles, and honeysuckles, and sweetes
and saddest Of all, its little grave beneath
the parlor window, where, beneath sot
heavy with yiolets and daisies, rests til,
dearest dumb pet this heart has eve
known--my little dog Jip!
All this-the dim shadows and thu
beaming light-the happy girlish faces ant
the graceful forms--the turf which ha'
been wet with SO many bitter tears, ant
the home | have left behind me forever
from picture which can never, neve
forget
We were not quite unknown or unearet
for out of the circle Of DIR friendship
| Three of us already welded the pen
Louise was quite well and tavorabls
known to the reading public. Helen was
following fast in her footsteps, and e.en |
had received some encouragement from
those who had perused my productions
and sundry tayors from young and arden
followers OF literature, who "rejoiced t.
worship the new-risen star" and do seve
raj other things which my young hear
deemed vastly fine.
Prospective larrels rested in three head
OF the touf-only the stately Mary wa
spared the pains as well as the JOY Of on
responsible situation.
In fancy, |. at least, saw myself con
quering al hearts By my writtep eloquenc.
saw myself second CoriAne-crowned
triumphant ard beloved. A thing whieI
many OF my profession have dreamed. o
ought to dream. Peace to them Ma
they wake in better humot than hay
done
4 locked at Mary, US she met my fre
quent chances with a benignant snile =
Helen stole softly into the cottage, beg
ging the use OF my writing desk, and al
its etcetarss which was freely granted
We smiled quietly on each other as sh