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

tinted glass, with mellow radiance that was
perfectly charming to the little orphan, but
seemed to disturb the sick man for he querous-
ly ordered the curtains drawn, and was obeyed
by pale, sad looking maiden. All around be-
spoke wealth and refinement, beyond all that
had ever before greeted the non-desiring eyes
now surveying the apartment. But the occu-
pant of the luxurious couch looked the per-
soni6cation of misery. Pale and haggard, his
countenance betokened q mind, as well as BODY.
i'll at ease. He was constantly complaining,
and delivering the most absurd and contradicto-
ry commands.
The pale girl, hunch-backed, consumptive
lad, and an old lady with morose countenance,
almost as decrepd as himself, were continually
employed in attending his wants and whims.
Little Melody saw no more the costly sur
roundings;- his sad eyes rested, first on one,
and then another, of the inmates of the cham
ber, and he gladly fastened away at the first
motion of the mild-eyed Fairy.
In the very next apartment he observed q
young man with bloated visage and red eyes,
engaged in fierce alteration with q poor old
servant, who was nearly blind, and who had, in
some accidental way, displeased the naughty
son of wealth. His face was livid with rage,
and little Melody shuddered in dread of seeing
the blows fall on the head of the aged depen
dent, who stood trembling in every limb.
But the white dress of the Fairy huttered
through the doorway, and the child quickly fol-
lowed nor did he pause till he passed the gild-
ed gate that shut him from the lordly halls Of
wealth.
Again the Fairy took his hand and they
walked with quick tread, along the bank Of
the river, till the proud mansion was no longer
in view.
A rough gate, in wooden fence that cnlosed
q small plat of ground, now yielded to the
touch of the Fairy and they entered narrow
green path, which led through little garden,
on one side of which stood humble cottage. A
voice, as that of strong man singing rose on
the still air, and, turning his head, little Melo-
dy perceived sunburnt laborer, with hoe in
his hand, busily employed in wedding and thin
ming vegetables His dress was coarse, and the
rim of his hat was partly torn away, but biz
broad, cheerful face, with the glossy brown
locks clustering around his manly brow, was
pleasant sight, after all the poor orphan hac
that day witnessed.
Soon female form appeared at the door o.
the cot, and called the toiler to refreshments
"We will follow" said the Fairy, in low
sweet voice, and in a moment they stood within
the cottage, on q neat wooden floor, which look
ed more beautiful to little Melody than the ricl
carpets he so lately trod upon.
In one corner of the little room was bench
beside small table, on which lay part of loa
of coarse bread, near bowl of milk. In an
other corner an infant lay sleeping in rud
cradle. In little box, on the single window
sill, bloomed single violet and near LAY tn
wel-worn Bible.
Little Melody seated himself on a little stoo
and surveyed the apartment, but here, as at th
mansion, no one observed him. The Fairy trip
ped lightly to the table, and touched the loa
and the bowl; and the cotter and his wife, wit
peace and thankfulness smiling in their faces
began their repast. 1t was soon finished, an
they sat pleasantly conversing together, till a
, "a low sound from the cradle, the wife took u
the bright-eyed little nesting, and seating hel
self again by her husband, they smiled, and ca
ressed the object of parental affection. 1t wa
coarsely clad, and the mother almost sighed q
she smoothed down the scanty robe, but tn
!, smiling Fairy touched the velvety cheek, an
:, they saw no more the coarse garment, but ber
- loving glances on the sparkling eyes, and din
y Piled cheeks. "She is all we have,' said til
mother. cit is enough" whispered the Fairy
= and the fond happy pair pressed their lips to tt
y rosy cheek of the little cherub, and said, q
is enough"
y Presently, the gush of bird-notes was hear
~ at the door, and pair of pet robins came hol
ping around the table, and turned up the
bright eyes, as if saying, " cannot you spare
10 bit, for our hungry little nestlings!" III
! parents scattered some pieces of bread for I'll
y songsters, and the babe followed their exampl
10 dropping the crumbs from her tiny dimpled fl
}, gers, with many gleeful laugh.
~ The pets after satisfying their hunger flew
b. the window sill, and warbled serenade to Il
ie violet; and then flew out, each with mors
~ for their birdlings, who were cbirping in the
o nest in a cherry-treo at the corner of the co
~ tage.
1T Radient, with smiles, the Fairy tripped grac
fully around the room to the music of an u
u seen minstrel who sang in low silyery yoic,
'' 81 am with you'll am with you
+ Oh, ye cheer ul happy pair
Inyour mornings glad Thanksgiving
In your evening prayer
Love and Mercy shall surround you
e' stillwith blessings heaven-sent
to Meek-eyed sunny browed contentn
CO 1t was only when the soft, sweet notes h,
vo ceased, that little Melody missed the white Dire
e. and graceful form of the dove-eyed Fairy.
u looked around him, and saw the green felc
ill and heaps of stone; but the clouds had
Dir gone, and the bright sun was shining. Att
s; feet meek violet opened its soft blue eye, al
IN smiled in the sunshine, as if the cloud had ne
of er made its sorrowful head to droop.
1t was very strange that little Melody h
If, never seen as beautiful violet before a
hit stranger still that the birds in the maple tr,
he above his head never before poured forth sucl
he concert Of musical notes. The grrss was ne,
he so soft and green-the sky was clearer and To-
lier than ever before appeared its blue cano
&C. to the enraptured child.
ho Absorbed in the memory of his bew;|dor;