Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1857-05-08
WHOLE NO. 263S.

not anticipating visitors, she thought It un-
necessary to wear the habiliments Of lady.
"Never in my life had seen her look so
lovely. Her dress was perfectly plain, but
every fold was arranged by the hand Of the
Gracos. Her dark brown hair. which had a
natural wave in it, now uncurled by the damp
ness, was put back in smooth ringlets from
her brow, revealing a face which did not con-
slider its beauty wasted because mothers
eye alone rested on its bloom. beautiful
cluster of autumnal roses, placed in glass
vase on the table, perfumed the apartment,
and bright blaze on the hearth diffused a
spirit of cheerfulnoss around, while it relieved
the atmosphere Of its excessive moisture
Mrs. Carlton was an invalid; and suffered also
from an inflammation Of the eyes. Mary had
been reading aloud to her from her hvorite
book What do you think il was II was
a very old-fashioned one indeed No other
than the Bible. And Mary was not ashamed
TO have such a fashionable young man as l
then was see what her occupation had been.
What a contrast to the scene had just quit
ted How loathcd the iniatuation which
had led me to prefer the artificial graces of
belle to this pure child Of nature drew
my chair to the table, and entreated they
would not look upon me as q stranger, but as
a friend, anxious to be restored to the forfeit
ed privileges of an old acquaintance. | was
understood, and, without single roproach,
was admitted again TO confidence and famil-
arity The hours I had wasted with Their
csa seemed to be a kind of mosmeric slumber,
blank in my existence. or at least, fever
ish dream. What do you think Of rainy
evening, Nary asked I, before left her.
81 love it Of all things, replied she, with
animation. There is something so home
drawing, so hcart-knitting, in its influence
The dependencies which bind us to the world
seem withdrawn; and retiring within our
selves, we learn more of the deep mysteries
Of our own being.
"Marv's soul beamed from her eyes as it
turned with a transient obliquity towards
heaven. She paused, as if fearful of unseal-
ing the fountains of her heart. | said that
Mrs Carlton was an invalid, and consequent
ly retired carly to her chamber but linger-
ed, nor did go till had made confession
of my folly, repentance. and wakened love;
and, as Mary did not shut the door in my
face, you may imagine she was not sorely dis
pleased
"Ah | know who Mary was. l knew all
the time" exclaimed George, looking archly
at Aunt Mary A bright tear, which at that
moment fell into her lap, showed that though
a silent. she was no uninterested auditor.
''You haven't done, father" said little
Ann, in a disappointed tone Il thought you
were going to tell story. You have been
talking about yourself all the time"
81 have been something of an egotist, to
be sure, my little girl, but l wanted to show
my dear young friend here how much might
depend upon rainy evening. Life is not
made all OF sunshine. The happiest and most
prosperous must have their seasons of gloom
and darkness, and woe be to those from whose
souls no rays of brightness emanate to gild
! those darkened hours. | bless the God Of
/ the rain as well as the sunshine. | can read
/ His mercy and His love as well in the tenn
pest whose wings obscure the visible glories
| of His creation, as in the splendor of the ris-
/ ing sun, or the soft dews that descend after
his setting radiance. | began with meta
phor ! said rainbow was drawn on the
clouds that lowered on that eventful day, and
! that il continued to shine with undiminished
beauty. Woman, my children, was sent by
God TO be the rainbow of mans darker desti-
NY From the glowing red, emblematic of
that love which warns and gladdens his ex
etcnce, to the violet melting into the blue of
heaven, symbolieal of the faith which links
him to purer world, her blending virtues,
mingling with each other in beautiful har-
mony, are a token Of Gods mercy here, and
an earnest of future blessings in those regions
where no rdiny evoaiRgs ever come to obscure
the brightness of eternal day