Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-12-24
misrellanp.

written expressly for the Green Mountain Freeman.
THE ANGEL IN THE WAY.
A Tale fer Christmas and the New Year.
By RICHARD J. NEAL,
5e CHAPTER
Amay mend; and sympathies are healing and reason
ath'its influence with the worst
And IN those worst ample hope, only those have
charity and faith."--Tspper.
The sombre shades Of evening were fast en-
yeloping the sarsh, and alread, are lights ef ls
Vulnerable lamps shed their cheerful CLEAN up
on the sidewalk. Sounds of music, revelry, and
airth, mingled occasionally with the mournful
wall of the distressed, met the ear of the passer
by.
Within the stately mansions of the rich, the
warmth from the glowing CRATE seemed to
throw radience of happiness over the pirts
of its inmates, while without. the elements Of
nature had conspired to make the night dreary
one. In all the broad armament, not single
star relieved the gloom which enshrouded the
whole face of the heavenS, and the Wind roared
and shrieked like an angry demon, driving the
snow, which through the day had been cover
ing the earth with its pure mantle of white
into the face of him who was so unfortunate as
to be canght out in the chilling storm.
Fitting here and there, were forms who's
ragged covering lily protected them from tn
! hIaota ND "a CoJ -
them!" to fall from the lips OF him who's
own comforts had net blinded his vision to tn,
wants of those whom the Creator had not seel
fit to bestow upon bountiful supply of thi
worlds goods. And the prayer was answere
in many hut on that fearful New Years Ev
God did pity them.
Out of the fashionable street, through ar
other and still another, and we enter an all
where all is shrouded in impenetrable gloon
Far away to its extremity, amid the foul m iasm
of guilt and crime, mother is bending ovt
the bedside Of dying child, perishing for tn
want of the few comforts which fall every da
from the loaded tables of their rich neighbor
Virtue sat upon that woman's brow, even am
the scenes around her, and Religion lighted U
the chambers of her heart, enabling her
say, q He doeth all things WE'LL" When Il
gray dawn dispelled the shades Of night, thu
little one spent its New Year in the arms
Christ
In one Of the first GLASS hotels IN the city
an upper room whose closely drawn curtai
screened the interior from the gaze of the pass
by, there is seated group of four young me
There is q table in the centre of the room, al
decanters in which there are various kinds
liquors, are setting upon it. The air and dr.
Of the group show that they belong to
wcalthier portion of society. 1t is evide
100, that each are feeling the effects OF tn
frequent potations, and the shouts Of mirth q
bachanalian song pass from lip to lip.
At the head of the table there sits one W
has drank less deeply than the others. 7
massive forehead, the keen, penetrating
and finely moulded features reveals the inc
to mind superior to that of his companions
"Come, Grayson, it's your turn, now
give us song said one of the party
What shall it be'" asked the person
dressed " something short, for I've an enga
ment to meet tonight, and it's getting
now"
Aren't you going to help US watch the
Year out, Tom " exclaimed another of
group looking up.
"No, Barton; dare not trust myself
night"
"Never you mind, Tom. never get do
myself. as you we'll know SO stay with us,
I'll promise to keep you seber.,'
:" l thank you, Barton. It will require
q few more glasses to throw aside my self
troll, SO don't urge me-
"As you please, them but give us
song"
IL will do So"
Pouring out glass of wine which sparl
brightly as he held it before him, be sang
deep rich voice,
'sparklng and bright, in the liquid light,
Does the wine our goblets CLEAN in,
With hue as red as the rosy bed
esr Which bee would choose to dream in.
Then fill tonight with hearts as light,
To loves as gay and aeeting,
As bubbles that swim the beaker's brim,
And break the lips while meeting"
" Good shouted his companions, as
emptied and re-flled their glasses. "Gi
the rest of the verses, Tom "
Again he filled his own glass, and contin
"oh, if mirth might arrest the flight
OF time through lfe's dominions,
We here awhile would now beguile
The gray-beard Of his pinons.
But since delight can't tempt the wight,
Nor fond regret delay him,
Nor love itself can hold the elf,
Nor sober friendship stay him,
Wen drink to- night with hearts as light
To loves as gay and heetng,
As bubbles that swim the beaker's brim
And break on the lips while meeting'
" Now, gentlemen said Grayson, as h,
ishcd singing, =" having gratifed your
for song, must bid you good evening,
ing that you will remember that upon
night there are near US hundreds sufferin
food and while mrth cannot arrest the
Of time through life's dominions, yet, in
years, you will look back upon this ev
with less feelings of regret if out of the b
God has given you, you contribute your
to relieve ths sufisrings of your fellow m
We have enjoyed ourselves this evening,
he continued in lower, subdued tone,
such enjoyment as memory will consecr
shame and bowling he left the room
" Too true, too true ! ~ was the rema
his footsteps ceased to echo nnon the stni