Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-02-14

the use OF each family during Cne ensuing day
above all, it was understood to be the Fairy's
strict injunction that each young maiden, when
she had filled her pitcher, should carefully re-
place the stone; if at any time this were neg
lected the careless maiden would bring ruin on
herself, and all the inhabitants of the valley
for if the morning sun ever shone upon the wa
ter, inevitable obstruction would follow.
Often did Norah trip lightly to the well with
her pitcher in her hand, singing the wild mel
odies of her country, with her beautiful hair
decorated with the bright red berries of the
mountain-ash, or the ripe fruit of the arbutus
tree, and leaning over the bubbling spring, fill
her pitcher, carefully replaced the stone, and
returning to her parents without one sad
thought to drive away sleep from her pillow.
This could not last forever Norab was form
ed to be loved, and soon stranger youth came
to the valley,-a soldier --one ghe had seen the
world. He was clad in afinor. aud talked Of
brighter scenes :-ah could there be brighter
scene than that lonely valley! He dazzled the
poor girls eye, and he won her heart: and
when she went at sunset to fetch water from the
fairy well, Coolin, he was always there at her
side.
Her old parents could not approve of such an
attachment. The young soldiers stories of
camps and courts possessed no charms for them,
and when they say that Norah loved to listen
to him, they reproved their child for the first
time in their lives, and forbade her in future to
meet the stranger. She wept, but she promised
to obey them, and that she might avoid u meet
ing with her lover, she went that evening to
the well different path to which she had gen.
orally accustomed to take.
she removed the stone, and having filed the
pitcher, she sat down by the side of the well and
wept bitterly. She needed not the hour twi-
light was fast fading into the darkness of
night, and the bright stars which studded the
heavens directly over her head, were reflected
in the crystal fountain at her feet
Her lover stood before her.
"Oh come not here," she cried, come not
here. l have promised not to meet you, had l
returned home when my task was done, we
should not have met! have been disobedient !;
oh why did l ever see you you have taught
me how to weep"
Say not SO, dearest Norah," replied the young
soldier" come with me"
Never never " she emphatically exclaim-
ed as she hastily arose, and advanced for the
well " l, who never broke my word have broken
it tonight said would not meet you, and
we have met. She uttered this in agony of
tears, walking rapidly forwards, whilst Coolin,
with her hand claspcd in both of his, walked
by her side endeavoring to pasify her.
"Your fault, if it be one," said he kindly,
"was Involuntary; your parests will forgive
you, they will no longer reject me as their son,
You say you cannot leave them; well well
perhaps may stay here, my labor for them and
for you. What is there would resign for my
Norah! you are mar home, give me one
smile' and now, dearest, good night"
Norah did smile upon him, and softly opened
the wicked, she stoled to her own chamber, and
soon fell asleep, full of fond thoughts of the
possibility of her parents sanction to her lover
suit.
She slept soundly for several hours
At last awaking with loud scream, she
, started for her bed The well the we'll y
D she cried. neglected to replace the stone
1t cannot yet be morning -No-no-no-th
gray dawn is just appearing Twill run, shal
, be in time.'
As she flew along the well known path, the
tops of the eastern hills were red with the neal
approaching of sunrise. Is this the first sun
beam that glides yonder mountain; No no
it cannot be-she will yet be in time
Norah had now reached spot from whence
: looking downwards, she could see the well q
: the distance of a few hundred yards. She stooC
like statue; her eyes were fixed one han(
grasped her forehead, with the other she pointed
: forwards. So suddenly had amazement arrested
J her fight, that her attitude retained the appear
ance of motion: she might have passed for thes
. ure Of a girl running, but she was motionless
n The unclouded morning sun was shining bright,
on the spot; the spring once so gentle, was nov
sending forth foaming torrent, which was rap
idly inundating the valley Already the alarm
ed villagers were rushing from their camins
L but Norah did not move her hand was still
pointed towards the spot, but she appeared un
o conscious of danger.
70 Still the foaming torrent poured fourth, ant
Y the water approached the spot where she stood
l. Coolin, who had been seeking her every where
Is now ran towards her his footsteps rousel her
y and, crying, "My parents save them " sh
fell at his feet.
10 He bore her in his arms up hill which wa
IL near them; still the torrent ragged behind them
III the vast flood become wider and deeper.
y When they reached the sumit of the hill,
iS appeared to be q wooden island; water surrour
> ding them on every side and their resting plac
'e became-gradually smaller and smaller.
; Many other green islands were to be seer
some less extensive than that on which they ha
vs. found temporary security, and these gradual
IL grew smaller and vanished one by one.
G "Oh. that we were on the summit Of 20
l. mountain said Coolin; and kissing Norah
+ pale cheek, he cried. I" Is there no hope, IN
'o poor girl, my own dear love.
My parents my parents " exclaimc
G. Norah "whcrc are they !-Oh they hay
IN persisted, the victims of their only chids dis,
bediencc'
III Clasped in each Others arms the lovers ava
to ted their doom. The waters still rose high,
b, and higher-the island became indistnct-
ID was but speck-it was gone
1t The cause. of the calamity having explaint
IL I,o, o,ror tlo ,.,t AZ ,f tha Ea;rv xyos orooa,o