Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-08-01
DREAM OF LIFE.

lost itself within the bosom OF small
lake.
1t was a fairy place, and, oft before,
when the muse spirit would steal over
me, I had sought its stiffness, and had
ever found it a delightful place to COM
mune with self, and upon this eve it ap-
pears doubly so. The monarch of the
day was sinking slowly, gloriously down,
gliding gorgeously the western blue
casting shadows within the dell dreamy
and spectral; and his lingering rays, set
Ting upon the stream, made it glow with
a soft, dancing light, mirroring the trees
and shrubs around, and the sky above,
upon its surface.
Seating myself upon the ground, soft
and luxuriant with natures carpet, /
leaned back on a moss-covered rock, and
gazed upon the scenic view until the
senses became bewildered, and stream
sunk, sky and trees seemed mingled, as
it were into single dark mass.
l was asleep; and sleeping dreamed.
Methought stood at midday by the bank
of this same stream. A barque lay moor
ed at my feet, seeming to invite my en-
trance. placed myself within it, and
unheeding the oars that lay upon its bot
tom, left it to the motion of the current.
At first the scenery seemed tame. No
flowers lined the banks-no dropping
limbs thick hung with bright green leaves
bathed themselves in the crystal flood
no sunlight danced upon the ripples to
form them into diamond bows, nought to
tempt one to linger and gaze, awe-wrap-
ped, around-to cause the eye to fash
with wild delight, or the lips to murmur
ecstacy. Twas but a common scene ;
and yet with desire to see what lay be-
yond, gave it passing notice.
Slowly, pleasantly l glided on; the
view the while gradually becoming more
soft and and agreeable to the eye; now
then buttercup, violet or lily, peeping
above the grass with modest mein to
watch an instrument under their domain ;
and anon tree, or shrub, standing at the
waters edge, would cast a shadow upon
it, and soft ray of sunshine come stealing
down.
Brighter grew the picture. The stream
perceptably widened, while the flowers
that seemed at first afraid to bloom, be-
came plenteous and gently bent by the
passing breeze, dipped their delicate pc
tails in the water, and tossed back in the
sunshine, sparkled as if just wet with the
morning dew. Still the boat sped on,
and grander, more enchanting the scene.
Trees and shrubs lined the banks, bear
ing the most delicious fruits and all
things to tempt the palate were presented
by an invisible hand. Foremost amongst
all were rich clusters of grape, swelled
almost to bursting by the ruby juice.
The waters became gradually more
turpid-the barque rocked from side to
side till the brain grew dizzy, and eyes
shone with more than common lustre,
and tongue broke out in rafting, half-wild
enthusiastic speech. / was drunk with
delight. / was king and lord over a
thousand domains. / bid the world stand
aside and let me pass. / mocked the
pious-grasped the felon by the hand
laughed to scorn the precepts, prayers and
entreaties of friends-insulted innocence
-applauded vice, and bid defiance tc
earth and heaven. Still floated on, and
wilder and darker grew the scenery. The
water seemed doubly restless, and tossed
the boat till it fairly quivered-more ex
cited became the brain, and it throbbeG
with a dull and heavy pain.
l was raving-become, as it were, an.
other being. My raiment, which, wher
l started, was good, was nought now bu
rags upon my back. I tore my hair
grasped at what / imagined were hideoul
beings, and met but empty air. 1 bias
phemed, prayed and wept almost at ;
breath. | was drawn into a whirlpool
round and round flew, and earth, sky
trees and stream followed. / graspe,
with nervous shudder the sides of th,
boat-my suffering was terrible in til,
extreme. ] cought at every passin,
straw, thinking to stop the eternal whirl
had begun to look upon it as some
thing inevitable, and became PARTIAL,
reconciled to the misery, when new
danger burst TO view. As if by magi
the barque ceased its round, and shot on
in straight line. Before me was tn
lake; my blood curdled in my veins, pro
ducing sufocating sensation--my eye
burned as if scared with hot iron, an,
seemed bursting from their sockets, wit
the first gaze. The lake was a sheet G
fiame, and wave on wave heayed UP hk