Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-01-21

thinking.
Lower and lower dipped the sun till
half its broad disc was below the horizon,
throwing the shadows of the poplars
even to the cottage door; then it sunk
quite from sight, imprinting fiery salute
upon the white bosoms Of the clouds
watching his departure, casting broad
pencils of light upon the grim hemlocks,
looking in the deepening gloom like
swarth warriors guarding the rocky pass
es that for years they had frowned down
Upon.
Annie's eyes had turned often toward
the church, past which Arthur would
come, till, growing restless, she flung
down the sewing, with which she had en-
deavored to engage her attention, and,
taking up little Carl, she ran down the
walk to get better view of the highway.
Bruno wagged his tail, while she patted
his shaggy head and said:
Bruno, my fine fellow, do you see
your master ?
The dog gazed long and earnestly up
the road then looked wistfully into his
mistress face, and gave utterance to a
long, low howl.
Poor fellowp Annie continued, fond
ling her pet, ARE you so disappointed !?
Cheer up, Bruno, my boy, your master
will soon be here =
1t had grown quite dark now, though
a bright spot in the east gave token that
Luna was about to begin her nightly
promenade; and in the dim light she saw
a form coming over the hill.
1T is he!" she exclaimed, joyfully.-
Papa is coming, Carlp and clasping
more tightly to her bosom, and fondly
kissing the boy who had fallen asleep up
on her shoulder, she darted into the house
Pausing to place the pretty sleeper il
his snowy crib, she lighted the lamps
poured the water into the tea-urn, and
set it upon the Goals, and then hastened
to the door.
Again, as she stood in the porch, Bruno
burst forth in another, louder and more
prolonged, howl, ending in almost wal
of human agony. Annie shuddered a
the mournful sound. Through the sway
ing branches of the willows just outside
the gate, now that the moon had complete
| ly surmounted the tree-tops, and wa
5 pouring its efulgent rays into the valley
she saw several persons coming down th'
= hill, walking with measured tread, a
if bearing burden.
| A dreadful fear smote the heart of the
= loving wife, as she saw this minatur
Y procession near the gate. She wen
/. down to meet them, and there, in tn
e arms of four stalwart men, his face. up
e turned to the moons soft rays, and hi
y body terribly mangled, lay the form c
. her husband. In hurried, subdued &C
O cents, one of the men told that, in seek
e ing to detach large stone from the stra
ia, it had Unexpectedly started, with sue
= impetus as to carry Arthur, who vainl
d endeavored to extricate himself, dow
e the precipice to the rocks below, wher
1t he was picked up, dead, and shockingl
1t mutilated, all save the face.
J. Annie, fearless and white as marbl,
k listened to the narrowing recital, the
e said: Come this way?
y They followed, utterly unable to con
l. prehend the mighty depths of that grie
1t which cannot find vent in tears, whic
y palsies all outward manifestation, viii
E. bounding, seething, whirling deep with
h are the Marah-waters, leaving the soul
le bitterness.
le In the parlor, which she has arrange
so invitingly, where she and Arthur we
to spend the evening of their fancied r
union, (alas so widely separated now
= where were the books they had read
gether, the music and instruments
readness-upon the sofa they laid ;
- that was mortal of Arthur Landenl
4e Neighbors crowded in, and friend
le hands removed the mud-stained clothin
washed the clotted blood from the bru
be ed body, and clad it, not in the vestmer
ed of the grave-Annie would not hear
at that; they should not wind about h
Is. the ghastly, sepulchral shroud-but arr
RS him in the garments he wore, when
lie, her side, he walked sabbaths to churt
as that she might not shrink, awed and chi
- ed, from him, who, in life had been b
lg, greatest joy, who yet in death was !
be most precious treasure.
Or, Then one after another the callers to
h their leave. She, Annie, would have
I'd, Watchers No one remained but |
all mother, who cared for the little Carl,
IL hanDilv unconscjous of his great berea,