Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1857-12-25
MtsrrIlanrons.
NM MuSIC OE OTHER nAYs

CHAPTER l..
"Wo shall be very happy here" said Lou
lisa Burnct to her brother, as they sat down
in neat apartment, the furniture Of which
they had just been putting in order ~ only
wish your room was as neatly furnished"
"AsI shall be asleep most of the time
spent in II, said her brother, "thc furniture
is a matter Of little consequence. The room
is in every way comfortable"
"You must have your Office neatly furnish
cd"
at is furnished as desire it 10 be, except
in regard to books
"You win soon be able to purchase some
books. | do not intend TO spend another
cent for any article Of dress this season"
81 had rather go without books than have
my sister experience the slightest want"
"You have made such a sacrifice for me,
that must and will deny myself for your
sake"
4 shall not permit you to do so, my dear
sister. shall chcriuh my s,uI y-',.lsi.iy r'--~
ure just as carefully as choose"
81 wish" said Louisa, with tear in her
eye, "that our poor mother could know how
pleasantly her orphans are situated, and what
prospects are before them
perhaps she watches over us aow as ten
derby as when she tabernacled in the flesh.
Her spirit may be present now"
A feeling Of awe stole over the mind of the
gentle girl. She closed bor eyes aud remain
ed silent, while her brother gazed upon her
beautiful countenance. and resolved that how
ever the world might 20 with him, no thorns
should lie in her pathway If he could remove
them, that no storm should beat upon her
head il he could shelter it.
If said Louisa, "the spirit Of our de-
parted mother be near us, what Joy must it
give her TO see the son of her solicitude and
prayers so ton1orly guarding her daughter,
and her full heart would not allow her to
finish the sentence she leaned her head on
her brothers bosom, and wept tears Of graft
tude and Joy.
81 trust our mother would approve what
have done; but am promoting my own hap
piness as well as yours.
"You were ever the most sclf-sacrifcing Of
beings. except my mother"
"Not half so much as yourself but let us
avoid dispute, even upon such question.
is there any thing else that needs attention
here; Tomorrow | wish TO give myself,
heart and soul, TO the labors Of my profess
sion
"Thore is nothing else for you to do If
anything occurs. / can attend to it without
troubling you"
allow will you employ yourself during the
long days -
81 have the books which your kindness
has furnished, and my sewing. and this beau
tiful landscape to look upon, and / shall have
to watch the hour which will bring you to
me"
n nj . =. A. 49,, loo. 90 .,
form them that tea would soon be ready. A
tear rose 10 hor eye as il fell on the affection
ate brother and sister. 1t was not unobsery-
"I must sit down With you a moment.
said the widow. ''ior he reminds me Of dear
SON
''Is he no longer living said Louisa.
"Ie was so kind and attentive not seem
ing to notice the question, that it was often
said to me, after my husbands death, What
a comfort YOU have in your son ! had no
more thought that he would ever leave us,
than you have that your brother can desert
YOU
Louisa clung closer to her brothers hand,
and made no remark The words of the wild
ow would imply that her son was a wander
or she feared TO ask her. The silence be-
came painful. Burnct said
"Nour son is not living:
"He is not He died among strangers /;
whether he was ever brought TO see the error
Of his way, and to ask pardon. is known only
to God May you never know any thing like
the heart-achcs | have felt for that child My
bitter experience makes me feel anxious when
meet with the young and innocent; and my
view of the dangers which lie in wait for
them leads me TO urge them, in the language
of Divine Wisdom, keep thy heart with all
diligence for out of it are the issues of life.
If / had not felt SO much confidence in my
son, if had prayed for him more, perhaps
he would not have fallen. Excuse me for OBJ
trudng my troubles ! did not intend to
speak of them when | sat down. | love to
sec young persons happy. ] hope you will
enjoy many happy hours under this roof. 1t
has been to me the scene of many mercies.
She invited them to walk down to tea. The
sister leaned on the arm of her brother, and
looked up to his face with an cxpressin that
told how entire was her confidence that he
would ever be the faithful supporter and guide
which he now was, and had pledged himself
to the departed one to be.
The table was spread in an apartment which
was shaded by the convolyus and sweet-scent-
ed honoy-suclllo; an air of perfect neatness
peryaded the apartment A spirit Of subdu
ed cheerfulncss reigucd in the little circle
They folt that there was sympathy between
them. They felt that thoro wore some quiet
and peaceful spots, even in the stom-swept
world.
The father Of the orphans died when Rich
ard was six, and Louisa three years of age
The mothcr--a woman Of energy, affection
and faith--though left with slender means,
supplied the necessities Of her children. The
wants Of their minds were not sacrificed to
those of their bodies. The son received the
advantages Of collegiate education, though
at the cost of great sclf-denial and sacrifice.
He was not insensibe to those sacrifices, and
resolved that they should not be made in vain.
A most diligcnt attention to his studies Sc
cured him the highest standing in his class,
and steady and successful resistance to the
temptations Of a college life gladdened the
heart of the devoted mother. After COM
plctng his collegiate course, he engaged in
teaching, pursuing, at the same time, the stud
les Of the law lie had paid the debt con-
tracted fof his education, and was just pre-
pared to enter upon his professional duties,
when his mother was called away. o, death,
why dost thou delight to enter those families
which, after long struggles, are just prepared
to live