Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-03-27

bic mansion. Yonder, amid the graceful, wav-
ing boughs, an artificial fountain sent up its
jet of sparkling crystal, which dazzled in The
bright sunshine, like a FURNISHED silver column.
white arbors cleaned out from the climbing
vines, and graceful forms glided to and fro in
the aowery walks, appearing to the enraptured
child like dwellers of Fairy-land Then, even
as he looked, cloud of cot-doves swept over
the hill and down the vale; settling down on
roof and tree-top-their white wings shining in
the distance like glittering snow fakes. And
littlc Melody elapped his hands inan ecstasy of
delight VS.
For q few moments he gazed on the enchant-
ing prospect in silent rhapsody. Then, turning
to his companion, he exclaimed, " How lovely
how beautiful is that your home!" But the
Fairy shook her head, and again taking his
hand, she led him down the steep path to the
border of the stream and along its green bank,
till they come to little gate in the garden wall,
which opened at the Fairy's touch, and closed
after them They walked on, and soon saw
young maiden, dressedin white, walking towards
them, but in another path. Her long, black
hair, whose wavy tresses fell loosely around her,
was adorned with bright and costly gems, that
glistened in the sunbeams, SO as almost to daz-
zle the eyes of the wondering child, as she ap-
preached In her white, 'eweled hand she held
a magnificent boquet, which oppressed the air
with delicious fragrance Her face was partly
averted, but she moved forward with queenly
grace, and little Melody knew she must be very
beautiful. "How happy she must be F." said
he, in a low voice, as she drew nearer. He look
ed around for q response, but tear fell on his
hand, and the Fairy turned away her head,
while she still led him nearer the fair being,
whose face was now turned toward them.
Alas poor little Melody! Those beautiful
features were distorted with passion, a sullen
cloud darkened that pearl bound forehead /;
while, in o paroxysm of grief and anger, her
delicate fingers were employed in tearing to
fragments the rare nosegay.
With shudder the child turned from the
mockery of happiness, and followed his gentle
guide quickly along the perfumed path till they
came near two small boys, who were playing
with pretty, painted cross-bow. They were
richly dressed, and little Melody thought they
were very handsome, and must be very happy,
with nothing to do but to love each other, and
play together all the day long, among the sweet
flowers, and listen to the sweet songs of the
golden-wiuged birds, that fitted from tree to
tree, above their heads Even the little Fairy
seemed to regard them with look of pleasure,
and stood for moment gazing on their childish
sports.
Suddenly the sound of angry voices rose on
The air; drowning the carol of the merry song
sters and falling like a knell on the ears of the
lone orphan. An arrow whirred above their
heuds, and a milk-white dove fell at the very
feet of little Melody, with low, piercing moan.
The cruel shaft still quivered in its innocent
breast, from which the lifeblood trickled down
over the white feathers, and the mild blue eye
looked up with such an agonized expression
that the plying child covered his face with hi;
hands and wept.
A cry of mingled grief and rage startled him
g and he instinctively shrunk back, and concealed
himself in the shubbery as the sounds cant
, nearer. On looking towards the path, he be
, held one of the boys with the dead dove in his
, hand, bitterly reproaching the other, who stoo'
r with clouded brow and flashing eyes, contem
= plating his cruel work. Harsh invectives on,
e defiant threats followed each other in rapi
: succession; and little Melody FASTENED from th
/ discordant scene, and gaining another path, fol
lowed his guide through the gorgeous flowers
i, with deeper anguish in his heart, than he ha
felt since he saw his mother laid in the earth.
O The sounds of strife had scarcely ceased
: when a burst of glorious music from the hall
4 of the mansion, which they were now approach
n ing, almost overwhelmed him with ecstatic emo
O tion, Awe struck, and nearly breathless, h
h stood like one entranced-as the gushing SYN
phony rolled up to Heaven, and died away
t softly, slowly,-till the last low note of tn
@ thrilling cadence had foated away in the di
il tance and then, with dreamy eyes, glance
: hurridly around, as if doubling where he wa
. Again the swelling notes pealed forth, and lit
e Melody sank on his knees and with claspe
J, hands, and eyes turned revcrently upward, r.
+ manned, till sign from his attendant arouse
r him; and slowly rising, he followed her to Il
n hall, whence the rich harmony proceeded.
> The strains had ceased, but the very air seen
n ed to vibrate with sweet tones, while it WI
s laden with choicest odors from rare flowers a
ranged in costly vases.
Y The Fairy led little Melody trough the sp
= cious rooms, where the carpets beneath his fe
It seemed to breathe fragrance, and the exqusi
e paintings on the wall, We'd with the luxurian'
1t of nature without Large mirrors, in massi
,r gilt frames reflected and re reflected the Iii
h like forms of beauty, and rendered the prof
,r sion Of ornaments and glded furniture st
more profuse. Costly books displayed the
|, vellum- covered lids to the orphans eager eye
to and he thought how delighted he could tu
j. those gilt-edged leaves, and how many hours
1T grief those pages could charm away.
lie Surely" said little Melody to himse
At i" there con be no sorrow here and all is brig
,e and beautiful and dazzling" He looked in t
IN face of his companion, but she still wore t
W same grave aspect, and he even thought 5
looked sad.
as Still she led him on through the gaily de
ed GRATED rooms, till, in passing an open door,
in heard low groan, as Of some one in pain.
turned, and behelda decropid old man reclin
IN on bed, In room furnished and adorned wi
as every luxury that taste or fancy could desire.
90 Tho onftanad sunl;oht mama throuoh onr;on,