Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-05-09

fore. Not dream of her life had ever reali-
/ zed it. Then, how did she get there? She
! sat down under the shadow Of an oyerhang
( vine, and thought and thought but all to no
+ purpose. See could recall the feint image of
/ chariot, and a tall man, with coarse husky
voice. With little more distinctness, she
could recollect how she had entered the cabin;
and how the tall man had put small svap of
! parchment into the hand of the strange wo-
man, just as he wheeled round, and hastily
passed out of the door.
AS she sat musing about these things, her
thoughts, all of sudden, were in Rome. The
city, with its burnt, black districts, lay before
her. Then the shouts and imprecations of
the soldiers-the blazing, cracking fires-and
| the shrieks and waiIings OF the dying, fell
with a sad, awful distinctness upon her ears.
Then too, from out the misty depths of the
past, rose up the home of her youth, with the
recent history of its sorrows. Her sisters
death-thc sudden disappearance of Valdinus
the arrest of herself and father, and the for
lorne condition of her poor dear mother, did
her memory, at that moment, recall, with
most painful accuracy. But 1Chere she was,
or how she got there. she could not conjec-
turc. This seemed the strangest thing of all
and she resolved, if possible, to fiud out some
thing, at least, about it.
But, at present, another thought was in her
mind-thc thought of her dear father and
mother. Ere that, she doubted not, her faith
er had gone TO his joy and reward. But where
was her mother-that mother, whose sparkling
eyes, peering fondly into her own, had first
walked her into childhood's dreams; and which,
like two unsetting orbs, had frightened and
cheered her gillish days, and watched over
her inexperienced steps, in the dangerous
walks Of youth. HID she been put to death
or did she still live? And as the anxious
thought pressed more heavily on her mind,
she bowed her head forward on her hand, and
burst into tears. She wept sore for some
minutes; and then, with her golden ringlets
falling about her pale face, and last, linger-
ing ray of the setting sun falling on her moist,
dewy cheek, she went on her knees, and pray
ed earnestly to the great, good Shepherd
And then, again reseating herself, and bowling
her head on her hand as before. she sighed
out:
sSOh mother motheri''
just at this moment, she felt the gentle tap
Of hand the shoulder. She started
looked round there was the light, fairy form,
and the wild, staring eyes of Letta.
'sMother says-come in; she don't want you
out too long
eyes, kind girls and Yertitia qnickly
wiped away her tears, rose to her feet, and
followed ketta into the cabin.
She found the good mother seated just in
side the door. looking out upon the dark for
est, pale and thoughtful, and with deeper
melancholy than usual in her countenance.-
AS now appeared, she was subject to sudden
paroxysms, and during the absence of Verti-
tia, had had one of her spells. She soon re-
covered, however, and had thus seated herself
at the door.
s'Guess, you think it lonely here we used
to think it 50, too;'' she remarked, as Verti-
tia took seat at her side; while Letta, throw
ing aside her thick, matty hair from her thin,
pale face, sat down on the door step.
ssYou needn't thought she added, looking
pitifully at Vertitia, whose moist eyes betray-
ed the sadness Of her heart; s:we'l be kind,
you see ,and do all we can to make ithome-lke." :"
At the mention of home, Vertitia burst in
TO tears.
Letta looked up, and a tear rolled down her
cheek.
seAh now-poor thing said the good
mother, sympathyzngly, ssshe's got home
l see that. 1 shouldn't have named it. know
how it ISL rt
Letta then, rising quickly, and in her kind
artless way, began smoothing back the soft,
wayy trcsses of Yertitia's hair, which had fall
len over her face, and upon which her tears
were pouring in profusion.
'sThis is Weakness thought Vertitia. s.I
must not yield to it. My master calls me to
such time as this. He doeth all things well.
Then it is unworthy such kindness - and with
an effort, she suppressed her emotions, and
said
eyes, good mother, this is my home nolo.-
| think | shall like it. love the solitude of
the forest, the wild flowers, the sweet song of
the birds, and seclusion from the follies and
pleasures of the world. My tastes have chan
ped with my hopes. think I shall be quite
happy here. Then you're so kind.''
Letta looked round into Yertitia's face,
she said this, with most kindly smile; and,
lingering and smoothing back her curis mo-
ment, again seated herself in the door, with
glad, bright countenance.
eyes. yes. - observed the good mother, with
sigh. sswe should be kind to one another;
we all have our troubles. I've mime
AS she said this, deeper shade OF melan-
choly spread oyer her features, while her pale,
bar hanf