Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-11-29
MisCellunfons.
SCENE IN REAL LIFE.

We do not often indulge in the sentimental,
but occasionally in our walks our attention is
called to the events happening before us, which
leave an impression upon our minds, and leads
us to thoughts and reflections which it is we'll
we, as well as all other mon, should indulge in
at times. We had been on the north side. to
see an acquaintance at his hotel, and returning
by Clark street, found, as is generally the case
when man is in hurry, one of those little
busy inventions, steam tug had passed up the
river with q small fleet of vessels in tow, one of
which had been cast off, and had hauled in just
west OF the bridge. Seeing no hope of getting
to our Office for some time, and knowing that
our compositors could not be in any worse hu-
NOR an hour later than then, we resolved to bear
it meekly, and find mental occupation by OBJ
serving what was going on about us We little
expected what did occur.
The vessel we have mentioned had been moored
or made fast outside of several canal boats and
as we stood looking at the men upon it, one of
them approached a female, who had been
crouched upon the deck. and addressing her,
pointed to the shore, then to the bridge, and
then down towards the thronged and busy streets
oflving, moving, headlong Chicago. She rose,
picked up small bundle, from which she drew
forth coin, which she rendered to the hardy
sailor. He refused it, whatever it was, and
lending her hand, helped her from the vessel
to the dock, and from the dock up to the
bridge. By this time large crowd of persons
thronged the north end of where the bridge
would be, if it was always bridge, and in con-
templating the new faces, and the representa-
tives of the various classes, there assembled, we
had almost forgotten the incident we have rela-
ted. Our attention was called from vain en-
dcavor to discover some hope of cessation of
tugs going up and down, and schooners and
brigs pulling in and out, by hearing an audible
sob from some one near US. 1t was not the sob
of childhood, caused by some sudden change
from gaety to grief; it was the sob of some
maturer breast, filled with a sense of loneliness
and despair. 1t reached other ears than ours.
| A lady, dressed in manner which bespoke q
wealth that could crafty taste and elegance,
and who, like ourself, was detained at that
place. stood near, accompanied by three chill
a dren, whose desire to get at the extreme edge o.
the platform she with difficulty represscd
With woman's tenderness her heart recog
o nized the stihed ebulition of sorrow, and ap
q preaching the person from whom it came WIN
j. was none other than the woman we had Just seel
It land from the vessel, she quietly, and in tina
It soft sweet voice of woman which none can resist
d inquired if she stood in need, or was she ill,
was her sorrow such that il could be relieved T.
A portion of the railing near US was vacant, an
t. toward that, and almost at our side, these tw
women came to converse The stranger was
(. fair handsome girl. about seventeen years, nea
ly but coarsely dressed, with shoes not onl
- worn, but heavy and unsuited as much for hi
ssx as for the season. The poor girl in hone
If simplicity, and with an earnestness which
If, spair alone could impart, related her histor
uninterrupted by single observation from h
companion, but often accompanied by tears
d. both. We have not space for it at length, ar
we will give it changing its order just enough
enable us to state it briefly.
X. She said she was born in Boston, she had I
sd brother or sister now she remembered that 81
be had sister, the eldest, whose name was Lizzi
that sister, years ago, against her fathers wi
ax had married, and with her husband, having be,
lid banishcd from the fathers sight, had gone o
a,s and had not been heard of since--no doubt W
rd dead. AT the time of her sisters marriage,
Tho parents were wealthy; the pride which h
tbe driven away Lizzie had brought silent regre
m and after q while came melancholy compainr
fire. by the mother, sighing for the embrace of
aid irst-born. These soon led to anger and recri
ter nations Mt home, and dissipation by the fail
tho abroad. Losses came upon thom, and, at Ia
uds gathering the few worldly goods they possess
the they left the proud city of their birth, and 6
edi. tied, five years ago, upon land purchased of
bey Government in Wisconsin. Her brothers, 30
we older and some younger than herself, one by
ran dropped and died and soon tho mother, call
,au, in agony upon her long daughter, joi
her boys in a happier cline.
the None were now left but the father and
poor girl. He too was humblcd and stric
icy by that slow and certain disease which lights
two the cheek, and fires the eye with the brillia
of health, even when its victim is on the
the fines of eternity; he would cit and tell to
but surviving child the acts of winning love
sacrificing devotion, which had made his Ii
the the very object ef life. He would talk Of
sweet smiles. and her happy disposition, u