Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-09-22

tnrned away; new light burned in her eye, |
"a light which told the terrible tale-the
awful curse of her family had fallen upon
her.
At night-fall she stood upon the platform
of the depot, listening intently for the shrill
scream OF the expected train. Three night
falls from that time, she stood alone among a
thousand passengers, in crowded depot of
one of our Atlantic cities She was stran-
ger, but her appearance struck every behold
er with reverent awe. She was certainly not
more than nineteen years of age, yet the
glossy curls that graced her head were white
as the driven snow, and the wild, mysterious
light which she ever and anon darted from
beneath her long ashes, told of u mind
strangely wandering.
No one knew her IN all that crowd. Poor
Susie Bentley. Careless alike of appearances
and remarks, she seated herself upon pile
of baggage to rest, when heavy hand fell
upon her shoulder, and mans voice said ::
This your baggage, Miss?" With a
trig htened start she shook the hand from her
shoulder, and rushed, without a word. out in
to the streets of great city, Tor the first
time in her life.
Week after week, month after month, and
year after year, she trod the streets, ever
asking the same question of every passer.
BY Can you direct me home? I'm lost "
and with shake of the head, and Kind
word, they would pass her by, for " Crazy
Sue was known and pitied by all. Even
the rough song and roughor jest of the street
boy was hushed as he caught sight of the
light form and gray curls OF Crazy Sue. v
At night some kind person would take her
home, and then sleep came to her pillow as
sweetly as to the infant in the cradle, bury
ing alike in forgetfuness the memory Of the
past and tho hope Of the future, and bringing
the weary mind sweet dreams of the far of
home she sought.
Five years have passed, and now let us
turn our sight and memory to the home oil
Willard Bentley. The old house is deserted.
After searching long and vainly for his lost
child, Mr.. Bentley returned home to see his
only remaining daughter, on whom he had
tried to lavish world of affection in memory
OF that denied his eldest, droop and de-
His sons too were gone; one was buried in
the sea, the other suffered and died on the
field of battle, and the wife, his last solace,
heart-broken at the loss of their children,
joined them in the Spirit-Land Yes, FIVE
short years have wrought this change, and
now the old man stands in the same depot
from which, five years ago, his poor, crring
child caught her first glimpse Of city lite :
from that depot the poor, broken down old
man goes forth once more to look for his
child, and claim her forgiveness, ere he is
called to render an account of his steward
ship.
But what is yonder collection for-why
that crowd? With eager curiosity the old
man torgets for moment his sad errand, and
presses forward to see. Oh, its only a com.
mon occurrences woman found dead in the
street. But why does the cheek of the cd
man grow pale, and his limbs totter? Does
he see in the face of the dead woman any
features which remind him of the home made
desolate, of the dear ones departed? All,
yes after all her sin and sorrow, after all
the anger and absence, trial and grief, he
knows his own misguided daughter, and with
a strong arm takes the dead Susie from her
bearers, and lays her upon the ground. He
sheds no tear, heaves no sigh, but with eyes
upturned to Heaven, he breathes prayer for
mercy. "'Tis the latest drop that overhows
the cup" and now the cup was full of bitter
ness-tull to overlooking. He pressed one
kiss upon the cold brow of his child and
turned away, and Crazy Sue" filled pau
per's grave.
Month after month the old man wandered
about the city, seeking in his manacal delu.
sion for his child, and one morning he was
found stiff and cold beside his daughters
grave. He had found her at last. But how
truly was the mad girls prediction fulfilled
/" that terrible retribution would fall upon
his old age" Too truly it fell and now the
family were joined again, wiser, and we hope
happier, than when on earth.
Father, have you ever heard from the lips
of the darling boy by your side, an oath, o.
an obscene word, and in place of reproof die
you say, 1" let him alone; he'll forget it by
and-by?" Ii so, you were mlstaken-sadly
mistaken.
Father, have you ever sworn II so
look in the crystal, and see where you uttere'
your first oath. Is not the picture distinc
aye, vivid ? Has it not Influenced you
whole life ? Had that oath met its uerite
reproof, would you to-day SO wantonly min
gled with your curses the name of your Re
deemer? Oh, Father, as you value your ow
E happiness, check the evil in your e eli ms
ture ere it be too late. Suffer him not to com
to manhood with soul scared with the sins
youth. Protect the virtues Of your child
and just and all-wise Heaven will rewar
you with two priceless gems-Affection an
Respect.
johnson, Sept. 10, 1859.