Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-10-12
From the Boston Journal.
The Thoughtless Sprite.
A STORY FOR CHILDREN.

STORY FOR CHILDREN.
Once upon time, mountain spirit
said coaxingly. to the streams which SC
leaping down the outer spurs and peaks
Of the Alps into the Adriatic, between
the Piave and the Adige, "PIay with me-
play with me- But they all answered.
mo, we are too busy"
"Too busy" replied the little spirit
"Too busy, indeed | should like to
know what you are doing but dancing,
singing and thundering-frolicking in fact,
the whole way from this to the great gulf.
Yes, what indeed 2"
ave are laying the foundation for a
city which will be the wonder Of the
world" was the reply.
"Ha ha" shouted the spirit, and
though she was so small, her voice sound
ed through the glens, and was caught up
and repeated by the tree crested hill tops.
"Ha! hal" 1t was a mocking laugh, but
the streams did not heed it. They went
diligently on, depositing far out in the
Adriatic the earth, twigs, and pebbles
which they gathered in their course.
ella! hal" shouted the spirit once
more. +" In q hundred years, or so, / will
come again"
The hundred years passed by, and the
merry trihcr flew down to see what the
streams had done. Ha! ha no no I"
she laughed even louder than before; for
she found only long narrow network of
islands, and few poor people who had
escaped the sword of the conquercr, Attila,
and who exchanged salt and fish for the
most necessary articles of food and cloth
ing. ella! ma ! ho no a great city
indecd!" and she fitted back to her mos
sy caverns and shaded dclls.
1t was u long, long time before the
needless elf thought of the steady toll of
her old acquaintance, or Of the misera-
bic exiles living in huts on the growing
sandbanks. At last, however, it occurred
to her it might be well to pay them an
other visit. What was her amazement
upon beholding the change. Sitting by
the sea, as if born of its sparkling waves,
was wilderness of churches and palaces,
Of great marts trodden by the feet of
crowding strangers, of massive walls, fine
domes, and stately towers, while the rosy
sunset touched the broad Lagune, Grim
soned the countless sails, and glowed on
the green islands outlying toward the
ocean. The gorgeous banner of the city,
with its winged lion, symbolled the SOW
crcignty Of rich eastern territories, of
Gambia, also Cyprus and the Morea, and
smiling provinces on either shore Of
the classic sea. Sixteen thousand men
wrought in her arsenal forty thousand
manned her war.ships. Her glass works
furnished the world with crystal fabrics
velvcts, and silks, and cloths Of gold mul-
tipled in her manufactures. Uncounted
halls were gilded, tapestricd, and filled
with lovely landscapes and speaking por-
traits. Exquisite sculpture invited to
study, painted windows let in tinted light
upon floors and walls, and roofs dazzling
with mosalcs of precious stones and
columns Of porphyry, alabaster, and SER
pentine upheld marble arches marvellous
in their grace and beauty. Gates of brass
inlaid with silver, pictured pavements,
arcades, and cloisters, and galleries magi
cal in their proportions, fairy like spires,
and gossamer carving alike sought and
and gossamer carving alike sought and
satisfied the eye. The sun went down
behind the Tyrol, draping in regal purple
the Euganean hills, the Frulian mountains,
the distant continent, and festive Venice,
when suddenly the vast square of St.
Mark with its cathedral and palaces burst
into light along its myriad curves and dis
tances, and nights, and points, a miracle
of flaming architecture in honor of for
eign king.
Awed by the scene, the mountain spirit
kept silence for awhile, and then softly
whispered "Who shall read in the be-
ginning of things the prophecy of their
end !"
Dear children, you-like the far off
streams-arc, day by day, hour by
hour, minute by minute, laying the
foundation of Character; and your Future
is the city which will be built thereon.
Each of your thoughts however Aeeting,
each purpose however momentary, each
word however triaing, each deed however
apparently unimportant, has voiceless
and unseen influence which none can esti-
mate, and whose result none can foresee.
Be not, however, for this, moping and sad.
Be gay and hopeful with the bright sun
shine, the fragrant flowers, the melodious
birds; but be also Industrious, patient,
obedicnt, loving and true; so shall life
be to you good if not great, and the light
labor of your childhood and youth will
sustain noble supe,structure raised by
your maturer years.
---e-e<-
The Boston Posts remarks on the re.
cent negro celebration induced one of the
brethren to send in lock of his hair.