American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-12-06


ny MISS HANNAH F. GOULD.
:'Alasl alssl' said the sorrowing Tee,
''my beautiful robe is gone; it has been
torn from me; its faded pieces whirl upon
the wind, they rustic beneath the squirrels
foot as he searches for his nu'; they tinat
upon the passing stream, and on the quiv
ering lake. Wo is mel for my dear green
verdqre is gone. Ii was the gift of the
Leavesl 1 have lost it, and my glory is
vanished and my beau'y has disappeared,
my summer honors have passed away
Ny bright and comely garment, alas! iii,
rent into a thousand parts, who will weave
me such another? Piece by piece has
been striped from me. Scarcely did |
sigh for the loss of one, ere another wand
cred of on air. The sweet sound of mus
ic cheers me no more. The birds that
sang on my bosom were dismayed at my
dcsolation-they have flown away with
their songs.
81 stood in my pride. The sun bright
ened my robe with his smile; the z.phyrs
breathed softly through its glossy folds;Ih
clouds strewed psarles among them. Ny
shadow was wide upon the earth my head
was lifted high, and my forehead was fail
to the heavens. But now, how changed
Sadness is upon me, my head is shorn, my
arms are stripped, and cannot throw a
shadow on the grouHl. Beauty has de-
parted; gladness has gone dat Of my Dos
ON. The blood has retired from my heart
and sunk into the earth. | am thirsty.
am cold. My naked limbs SILVER in the
chilly air; the keen blast comes pitiless a
mong them. The winter is coming. ]
amdestitute; sorrow is my portion; mourn
ing must wear me away. How shall | nc
count to the Angel who clothel me for the
loss of his beautiful gift?"
The Angel had been listening. In sootl
ing accents he answered the lam .%ntalion
"My beloved Tree" said he, "bo com.
fortedl | I'm by the still, though every
leaf has forsskeu thee. The voice Of glad
ness is hushed among thy bongi,s, but lsr
my whisper console thee. Thy sorrow i
but for season. Trustin me. Keep my
promise in thy heart. b. patient and s-ful
Of hope. Let the words | leave with the,
abide and cheer thee through tho comm!
winter. Then will Leone and cl5tho the,
anew. 1880 rs'Al ~
"The storm will drive over. thee. tht
snow will sift among thy haked limbs
But these will be light and passing afHie
tons. The ice will weigh heavily on thy
helpless arms, but it will soon dissolve I,
tears. II shall pass into the ground, ant
be drunken by thy roots. Then il will
creep up. in secret, beneath tl.y bark, ant
spread into the branches it has oppressed
and help to adorn thom. | shall be her
Ia use ii.
"The blood has now retired for safety
The frost will chill and destroy it. 1t ha
gone into thy mothers bosom for her t
keek it warm. Earth will not rob her of
spring. She Is q careful parent: sh
knows oil the wants of hcr children. an,
forgets not to provide FOL the least of then
The sap that has for a while gone down
will make thy roots strike deeper an,
spread wider. and renewed and strength
ened, it shall return to nourish thy heart
Then, il thou shalt have remembered an.
trusted in my promise, | will fulfil it,
Balls shall shoot forth on every bou5l,.
will enfold another roba for thee. wi
color aud ft it in every part. it. shall b
a comedy %raimeut. Sadness shall he swaI
lowed up in 10y. Now, my beloved tree
fare thee well for II season.
The Angel was gone. The coll nut
tering winter grew near, Tho wild bias
whistled for the storm, But the words 0
the Angel were hidden in hor hcart
soothed her amid the threatenings Of th
tempest. The ice-cakes ratified on lie
limbs and loaded AM wi5hod them down
"My slender branches, sill she, ale
not this burden oyereomi you! Break no
beneath this heavy a6lict;o,--break not!
but bend, till you eau spring back to you
places. Let not n twig Of you be lost
Hope must prop You up for n while, and tn,
Angel will reward your patienrc. 70,
will wave in a softer air.. Grice shall b.
again in your motion and n renewed beau
" hang around you"
The scowling face of winter began l.
lose its features. The raging storm grew
faint, and brealhed its la,t. The cloud
frctted themselves to fra tmonts, Ties
scattered to fragments on thesky. and wer
brushed away. The sun threw down
bundle Of golden Nvrows, that fell upo
the Tree. The ice cakes withcrcd as Ike
came. Every one was shattere by $ shat
and unlocked itself upon the limb. The
melted and were gone.
Spring had come 10 reign. His blrssc
ministers were abroad in the Garth. The
lowered in the air. They blended the
beautiful tints, and east q new created ri
ry on the face of the blue heavens.
The Tree was rewarded for her trust
Tho Angel was true to the object Of h
love. He returned-he bestowed on h,
another robe. 1t was bright, glossy, an
unsul!ied. The dust Of summer had ne,
er ut upon it; tho scorching heat had n,
tsded It, the moth had not profaned it,
The Tree stood again in loveiiness;she W,
dressed IN more tha1 hOr former beauty.
She was fair, joy smiled around her q
every side. The birds few back to h,
bosom. and sung among her branch,
'ne'r hymns the ASeELoF rHE LEAVES.