Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1858-05-06

| long habit and by the false laws ard maxilns
that surround so many 10 their intercourse with
the world.
One or two more blocks were soon passed,
and he stood in the entrance of his own mag
nifcent home. The soft light, streaming
through colored glass above the door-tte carv-
ed marble pillars that supported lofty arches
the rosewood pannelling and mosaic pavement,
all bespoke luxury in the highest degree. And
when the door was opened what scene Of
Eastern splendor broke upon the view
Cleaning statues, leaning from their sculp-
tured pedestals, along the stately entrance sa-
loon-hot house flowers throwing their perfume
on the warm and fragrant air-glittering chan
deliers, and sofas and couches of velvet and
satin-everything that the magician Gold could
conjnre up, was there
Hardly had the merchant entered, when
slight little figure came bounding down the
fight of marble stairs at the farther end of
the hall to meet him. A fair slender thing,
she was scarcely eight years old, with long
curs like coils of gold and deep, serene eyes,
and as she ran joyously into his arms, he he'd
her to his heart, with tender loving clasp,
which showed how dear she was to him.
She was the orphaned only child of his only
sister-the sole heiress to all his prncely wealth
and the one being upon earth hom he worshiped
more than his gold-the little frail bark whose
tiny heart contained all the treasures of his
hearts deepest love-
She led him up stairs to the drawing;room, an
apartment even more royalty splendid than the
spacious hall below. The stately windows
were drapcd in silken folds, whose graceful
waves SWEET the floor. Deep, richly tinted
pictures, brought from foreign lads, hung on
the walls--rare birds in gilded cages swung
from silver chains fastened to the lrescoed cell
ing Oriental vases threw back the CLEAN of
glowing CRATE from their polished surfaces, and
vast mirrors multiplied every object in endless
succession wherever you might turn. In truth,
the room seemed more like an enchanter's pal 4
lace than the abode of mortal man.
The merchant sat down before the cheerful
fire, with the little one at his feet and listened
with a loving smile to all her innocent, childish
prattle, for every silver accent was precious to
him, and he held her tiny hand closely in his
own, as if fearful that some fell disease shonld
snatch that baby bloom from her infant cheek,
even while she'was surrounded by every safe
guard that wealth and power could give, So
timorous and apprehensve is love !
Uncle, what have you been doing to-day I?
asked the child, at length, after slight pause.
Why, little one, you could not understand
all these business affairs-your emily head must
be filled with pleasanter matters! I have
been piling up money for you, Amy-loadng
off ships for the East--and planning about
thousand different schemes"
The little girl sat looking thoughtfully into
the fire for a moment Or two.
But mtan Uncle, she resumed, in an in
slant, with a wishful gaze, have you been do
ing anything that will make you feel happy
when you lie awake at night, listening to the
wind p
The merchant looked at her, half surprised,
while an uneasy-almost a guilty feeling star
tied him as if some rash hand had drawn aside
the curtain of his most secret SOUL Her sim
pie words seemed to awake buried memories in
his heart, and all old sentence crep into his
brain that he had not thought of for long,
long time, and almost unconsciously he MUIR
INJURED aloud those solemn and sublime words,
He gsceth songs an the night"
l remember that, Uncle" cried the little
one, her grave face breaking into a quick, sun
shiny smile. "Miss Warren has me learn verse
every day from the Bible, aud / learned that
not long ago."
Indeed, that's good plan, my little rose
bud" not sorry tor reasonable excuse to turn
the conversation, 70" sundry exit nsive misgivnes
were ranking in his mind. "What have you
learned to day p
Little Amy crossed her hands softly on her
-breast-a childish habit but most beautiful
and innocent and looked upward with
reverent air, while she softly repeated the SEN
tence
Freely ye have received, freely give"
The merchant started from his chair, as if
struck by thunderbolt lie stood irresolute
a moment, and then began to pace the floor,
with hurried, uneven step, appearing, unaware
Of little Amy's eager questions and, aston
ished look.
How plainly thcyrose before him-the meek,
pale face of the poor widow, whose home he
had that day taken from her-the hollow eyes
of the beggar at the roadside-ten thousand
other haunting shadows peopling every corner
of that regal apartment. While, like a tram-
pet, sounded in his ears the prophetic words,
:, " Freely ye haze receired, freely gire."
Eve minute elapsed, and he was still walking
the floor with the same restless tread, his soal
tossed backwards and forwards by contending
emotions. Suddenly he stopped before the fire
again.
"Where is my hat, Amy dear ?"
Why, don't you hear the snow beat up
gainst the window, Uncle? Are you going
out again in the wind and storm 7"
81 must, my darling. There is something
very important have forgotten"
| And be went forth again into the darkness
and bowling tempest, with strong brave reso-
luton, striving in his heart against the pang OF
remorse that the sweet child's voice had un-
Willingly awakened. As be turned to look
back for an instant, he beheld an infant face
at the window, with long sunny caris falling
around its earnest brow. She was watching
/. hin on his way-h:s little guardian angel