Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-03-27
nlisfellanp.
Written for the Green Mountain Freeman.
The Orphan and the Fairy.
A STORY FOR CHILDREN.

"Aiy oh0 "Aohuoy hoKHinS iu OpIiuS, Aoei0
Melody was sent to distant field to pile stones.
He had been suddenly awakened from happy
dream of his angel mother and orphan sister
and had arisen from his unrelshed breakfast
with heavy heart. With his basket of bread
and cheese on his arm, and bis fair, white fore
head shaded by straw hat, he opened the lit
tie yard gate and passed through.
Remember, .Mel.,n called out the gruf,
but kind, old farmer, Z and eat your dinner
when the shadow Of The first stake points to the
bottom of the second. as told you and you
shall have all the time to yourself after your
task is finished, if you pick the stones clean"
Little Melody bowed, and quickened his pace,
for sad thoughts were in his heart. and he could
not bear to hear the cheerful tones of the farm
er, while he felt so sorrowful and lonely. He
walked on with downcast eyes brushing, with
every step, the dew that lay heavily on the
young grass, and tender leavs, and violet buds.
The first beams of the rising sun tipped the
distant hills with a. golden hue; but it was q
long walk to the field, and the dew-drops gilt
tered like pearls all over the broad vale, as lit
tie Melody placed his basket on large, moss
covered stone, and began his task.
Drearily passed the hours away, and the child
grew weary of stopping to lift the stones, till
each one seemed heavier than the last. A dark
cloud had yelled the sun, and he looked in vain
for the shadow of the stake to tell him of early
noon that he might rest his tired frame and eat
his brown bread and cheese. He went to the
little spring, of which the farmer had told him,
and thought he never could stoop to quench his
thirst in that deep we'll, after the fatigue of
bending SO long at his mornings toll; and he
looked around for leaf to make cup, but
conld find none large enough so he drank from
his little hand, and went again to his toilsome
work.
The clouds grew darker, and little Melody
tegan to grow very hungry, and wished the sun
would shine, and wondered if it was not noon,
and thought of the joint of meat that would
smoke on the farmers table. 1t was the first
time Mr.. Elwood had sent him to work alone,
and the hours seemed very long.
During the three months that had elapsed
since the death of his mother, grandson of
the old gentleman who had kindly given the
orphan home, had been his constant compan-
ion. James Ewood was noble hearted, gen.
erous boy, three years older than little Melody,
and like gentle brother he seemed to the sor-
rowing, friendless child. Many an hour Of
grief had been shortened by his kind sympathy
and many an hour, else oil sad and cherries
had been rendered pleasant by the blithe sports
and merry laughter, in which James strove t(
win his young friend from the deep shadow O.
sorrow.
Now that he heard no more the quick whistle
and cheerful voice Of the only brother he ha(
ever known, feeling Of utter desolation AM
grief oyerpowered his spirit and his heart sanl
within him. After many heart-struggle, h
seated himself sad and weary, on the moss
stone beside his dinner basket, and thought 0
his darling sister Minnie and wept to think sh
might be lonely and unhappy, even as he was
And then thoughts of his fond mother cam
rushing over him and he remembered how sh
seemed ever patient and hopeful, singing fror
morning till night never wearying, and neve
repining wearing--for the sake of her chi
dren-a cheerful smile concealing-even to tn
very last-the anguised arrow that was rank
ling in her widowed heart. He remembers
how she kissed the tears from the eyes of he
little weepers :; bidding them be good children
and they would see her again, and their Fatht
in Heaven would take care of them; how 81
smiled upon them, even in dying and, poin
ing upwards, closed her eyes, and they thougl
she was asleep. And so she was,-but whe
they went next morning to see her, she was
pale and still, and did not open her eyes, thoug
the smile had not left those pale, white lips.
Little Melody sank down on the soft, brigf
moss and wept, and dared not think of all |
had lost. Again and again he recalled h
mothers sweet smile, till he fancied she wi
beside him ; and though his eyes were closed,
Thought he saw her gentle face bending abo,
him, with that ever-loving smile upon her lip
His tears were dried-only one crystal drop lii
gered on his pale cheek, as slumber crept oy
the aching eyes and sobbing breast The war
Spring zephyr lifted the light waves of sum-
brown hair that clustered around the slend
neck, and fitting smile crossed the ruby lii
of the little sleeper
boJ nlo t,, En,,
with rosy cheeks, and dovelike eyes who loo
ed 50 tenderly and pityingly in his face, th
when she held out her soft, white hand,
could not resist the winning grace of her sile
request Giving her his hand, he followed h
up steep, sandy path to the top of hiG
hill, which little Melody wondered he had nev
observed before.
On reaching the summit, the Fairy pause
and releasing his hand, pointed with her own
the vale below. In its quiet stiffness and bea
ty it lay like an exquisite panorama, spread o
before the eyes of the gazers; and the lit
orphan looked bewlderingly up to the brig
blue sky,-fOr he almost deemed he was in t
beautiful world of which his mother had oft
told him, and where her weary spirit was nc
forever at rest
But the warm sun looked down the same
ever, and the soft, snow-edged clouds float
still around the far-of mountain tops, and aga
he turned his eyes downward.
The valley was intersected by winding stree
which scarcely seemed to move so placid "
its clear surface. On one side, alternate gro,