Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-03-11

there was an angel IN heaven VINO hau worn |
that name, and whom the mother prayed
might be the young child's guardian angel
The little one grew daily more lovely in the
ewes of all who saw her. She was so gentle
and sweet, that it was great happiness to be
near her. She had rosy mouth, and when
she was grieved, her lip would culver SO
beautifully, that it would bring tears to other
eyes than hers By-and y she began to play
with little Alice, and when the autumn came,
she could step cunningly inner tiny red shoes
and even walk across the carpet, ii her little
sister led her. Then two or three white
teeth shone between the smiling lips and she
learned to call Mamma" and 4 Papa" She
filled the house with sunshine by her love-
" face, and wise old-fashioned ways.
The winter and spring passed away like
the tabled time of fairy-land. The baby
was daily learning something either to say or
to do, and the two little sisters played so
merriy and slept so quietly together, that
their mother would often say there was never
another family so blest and happy,
Although little Clara was often sick, she
was seldom fretfal. When she grew older,
she often went to ride with her mamma and
sister, and sometimes they were obliged to
wait for the carriage, but the baby was never
out of humor with the delay, and was never
unwilling to obey her mamma. She was al
ways ready to give up anythingever so pleas
ant, if it was forbidden and would soon be
happy and busy about something else. When
ever she was reproved, she, would come close
to her mamma, and put up her little qulver-
ing lips for pardoning kiss and then hide
her little fearful face in the loving bosom ev-
err ready to receive it. Beautiful, loving pet
names were lavished upon her, Hours before
the time of her fathers return home, her lit
tie feet would patter &C. oss the carpet, and
she would stand on tiptoe on the threshold OF
the nursery, and call, Papa, papa; where's
papa ?" Her toys would all be laid aside,
and her time divided be ween watching for
him at the window, calling him at the door
and sitting in mammals lap trying so express
her love for him. And when he did come,
at the very first sound OF his latch-key, she
would bound away; and what haste her IA
Their had to make up stairs, for fear his little
one would fall in her eagerness to meet him !
Then she would ride laughing in his arms,
putting her happy face down on his neck.
When the warm weather came, the family
went into the country, and here the little ones
were as happy asbirds the whole day long,
Sometimes their mamma would 60 out into
:. the orchard with them, and sit down under
the trees while they played about her among
the clover blossoms, aud made hay in tiny
stacks, Or chased the chickens, Sometimes
. they would go-grandma papa, and all
away for a ramble in the fields, and then lit
tie Clara was carried in her fathers arms ;
and whenever they came to a fence, she al
ways would be put down and creep under,
like Alice There was a pleasant grove near
by, where they would stay for hours sitting
under the trees, while the little ones made
miniature houses and gardens.
The quiet summer flew away, and they
t came back to the noisy town. The mothers
t heart was heavy with a shadow of coming
s evil when she tnrned her back on the pleasant
Aowery country, where the hours had sung
e themselves away, full of childrens happy
+ voices. There were few quiet days after
+ their return, when the baby could climb up
to kiss her; but one Sabbath morning long
IS before the daybreak, the mother was awaken
o ed by little weak voice calling, Mamma
T. mamma :" She found her darling standing by
her bed, with her tender feet and hands of an
icy GOODNESS. There was no more sleep ir
the house for that night. Troubled hearts
and fearful eyes watched over her; and sleep
less nights and anxious days went YEARLY by
u 1t was breaking to watch by the little
Il sufferer. Never had she seemed half so love
q yin her life and health as now, when they
> saw her gently and quietly putting aside, ont
u by one. the toys her sister tried to tempt he
y, with, and the food her mother offered her
She only wished to lie still.
J AT last, after some weeks they thought sh'
y was little peter She turned over thu
- leaves Of little picture-book one day whel
. she lay in her mammals arms, and held he
u china-mug in her weak hands while she trace
u the shapes Of the painted flowers on it witt
IL IL her delicate finger. She watched Alice abou
u her play, too, with some interest. But tn
10 resting time was Of short duration. Tha
) night neither she nor her mamma slept. TIL
u child lay all night with her face on her moth
:, ers bosom.
~ Once she called Papa papa!" but tn
~ sweet voice was so changed and full of pair
70 70 it was agony to hear it, and her mother gent
~ y hushed her.
ie The next day, the mother, who could no
'r bear to believe h darling was so much wors
's put little ivory rattle into her weak. tin
: hand, which dropped under the weight of tn
" toy to her lap. "Ah" said she sadly, IN
H. = poor baby cannot even lift it, The darlin
" looked up a moment into the sorrowiul eye
In bent upon her. and then, with apparent effol
y she raised it and shook it once, and then
II droppedfrom herfecble grasp-forever! Sh
u, II lad done with toys and with life.
y That evening the father came home to
sad and fearful house. All through ths
night of agony the parents watched togethe
alternately carrying the dying lamb in the
bosoms, without being able to soothe Or II
IT, lieve her distress and when midnight ha
u passed, they put her in grandmother's arm
Nv and sat down to wait
at The mother, on her knees beside the dyr
81 baby, pressed her own cheek against the lit
h tender one, that had rested for joyful ye;
an and half on her bosom, ard gave her bac
as well as she was able to God while II
u little weak fingers grasped one of her ov
ne ne close and lovingly. There was little tin
u, of quiet, broken only by the labored breat
ho ing and then she laid her head back on IL
ls Il, kind arm that supported her and fell asleep
ei- Never more will the little blue eyes unclo
never more the little sweet lips be openC
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