Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-04-08
The Heroines of the Fireside.

We have all heard of those heroines who
have so long been embalmed in the worlds
memory. Fame will not let them sink into
the Lethean stream; she bears their names
aloft in her eagle soarings, and sets them,
glorious constellation, among the stars, as
the gods of the old mythology placed there
the Tyre Of Orpheus and the sword of Orion;
she causes PARENTAL flowers to blossom around
their tombs, and charms the listening ear for
the thousandth time, with the thrilling story
of their struggles and their trumphs.
Within a few weeks we have read much
about some OF them, and they seem to be
moving before us now in royal procession,
stateier far than that in which Eagiands
proud Queen goes to prorogue Parliament
We forget for time that the dust of years
has soiled their garments, that the mildew of
the grave has blighted their beauty, and gath
cred cold and damp at their brave haarts =
they stand before the eye of Fancy, as fair
and valiant as when they wrought out their
brilliant destiny. Isabella of CASTLE, the
friend and patron of Columbus, comes forth
from her lonely resting-pace in the Alham-
bra, that lost home Of the Moorish kings the
young enthusiast of Dom-Remy rises like the
phoenix from her own ashes, with sword, and
helmet, and banner; Maria Theresa leaves
"tho pale realms of shade" wearing once
more the iron crown, the venerable robe and
treasured cimetar of st. Stephen; Madame
Roland unbars the door of the sepulchcr, and
again standing calm, and digul6ed, and daunt-
less among her enemies, pleads her cause with
Burning eloquence, or in the solitude of her
gloomy dungeon, chants wildly solemn re-
QUEEN for her expiring hopes, while the chords
Of her long-ncglected harp breathe mourn
full symphony.
Such are the heroines whose praise the
poet sings and the historian records; whose
faces and forms are immoralized in the sculp-
tors marble, and on the painters canvass
But there are other heroines far more dcserv-,
ing of real honor than of these-heroines of
whom the world is not worthy. They have
never girded on the sword and stood at the
head Of conquerng armies; the monarch's
diadem has never pressed heavily on their
brows, nor the cares of an empire occupied
their thoughts. Their pathway lies among
secluded by-places, and is not luminous with
dazzling light. No human historian has re-
corded Their noble deeds, but they are writ
ten on high in letters of gold; and when
earthly books and their authors stall have
passed away forever, they will be bright and
fadeless still.
The Heroines Of the freside, As faithful
wives, as devoted mothers, as dutlful daugb-
tiers, their course is truly heroic. They may
be fifty called the "angels of the household"
Tor they are akin to those angels, who roam
through the pleasant valleys of eternal rest.
Nothing seems to crush their brave spirits;
they may, like the lily, bend to the Storm
but like that sweet flower, they will rise too
as lovely and pure as ever.
Death may come with the shroud, the coffin,
and the pail; dear one who has been
guide, comforter, support, may be taken
away, leaving them to struggle on in lonel
ness and sorrow. Want, with her train of
woes, may take possession of the home where
Plenty used to reign; halffamished child
hood may cry in vain for bread, and feeble
old age stretch out its skinny shaking hand
for the same treasure, and mutter dispairing-
ly, eve shall starve!"
Griels which gnaw at the heart like SER
penis tooth may waste the bloom of the cheek
aid put out the light Of joy that once danced
and revelled in those now sunken eyes; but
through all these trials, they will bear nobly
up, meeting the frowns Of Fortune with Won
drous courage, doing every duty in fear OF
Heaven, sustained only by an wavering trust
in their Creator, cheercd only by the hope Of
q reward, "where the wicked cease from
troubling and the weary are at rest
Wherever they are toiling and struggling
in this cold world, they deserve respect and
sympathy from all who reverence purity of
thought and oltiness of purpose. God bless
the hcroiues Of the tiresde!