, 1859-04-16

Story Of the Granite State.
From the Springfield Republican,
"What III it, AnnY" asked Mrs. WaIrcn, as |
she came from the pantry, well laden with ed'-
bles. ~
"Nothing, mother, only a letter from VII
Gam." The flush that bathcd her face and bo-
som with crimson, belied her quiet reply But
Mrs. Warren was too busy to notice that, and
Ann too much accustomed to conceal her emo
tions to continue her efforts ut enulatng the
roses. ]
"perhaps you would like to hear what he
oays mother" she asked, turning her eyes iIolh
the closing words offender adicn, almost relue-
tantly, to look for some prosaic lines better IT.
"Anything Particular gucs, shall have
time to sit down minnit. The men folks d.ns
in sight vet" replied Mrs. Warren after salts.
flying herself upon that point ny Protrac1Seo tSa
gaze down the quiet country roau, peiofe enc
| dropped upon a chair to listen-
"Ntes, William writes that lie is doing well,
mother. Hear what he says; and Ann read as
carefully as if it had been legal document
Hadn't She read every line from caption to close?
| Of course ste had, and knew BY instinct Just
where the JytuIxrs in the shape Of darling An.
mic, =" precious Annie" ETC., lay, for she read
| on soberly, skipping without hesitation, or
| nause long strings OF ptdr{s, which she did not
choose to cast before IN unappreciatise married
| woman, who had done with love and such noa-
sense. She was rewarded by
"a very seasiJe letter, Ann, very. How WI
liun improves. He always was scholar. feel
| proud Of William. He means to make something
in the world. ,
Ann smiled brightly, and the rose tint again
difused itselforer her fair pale face till it g'o"ed
| like summer sky. ut sunset.
High ho. father and the boys are coming
cried Mrs. Warren, us she began to hustle about.
| She could not Iose moment, for it was her
pride md pleasure to complete all her prepara-
lions for supper, ut the exuct instant the ' men
appearcd with clean and shining faces IN inc
| kitchen, after having taken their turn at tile
pump and the round towel in the back room.
Ann glided like spirit through the half.closed
| door, up tile stairway, and into Iicr own little
ruoln, the precious, prosaic letter clasped close
to her bounding heart, her whole face asow'
with hope lore and enthusiasm. The beloved
nanle trembled upon her lips alnidst broken sell
tences Of prayer and thanksgiving till, oyerpow-
cred by this sweeping tide Of emotion, she
| dropped her head upon the table and wept,-
those soft delicious tears shed but few times
BY most, tears Of joy and gratitude. \ robin
dropped suddenly into the huge old apple tree
whose branches crowded against Ann 5 window,
1uttered his wings for u moment, and then
/ poured forth such Il tide Of song, that his tiny
| throat seemed crowded with the up-gnshlnE
melody. for he paused as if summouing lis
strength for noblcr effort, and then sent
out upon the sunset air d stream Of song SO ln-
| biaut SO full-toued und mellow that Ann raised
her head to smilr at him, as fondy us if lis notes
/ hid been in symphony with the Music of her
| soul. Then she un{olded tho letter once more
10 rc-read it in security.
We do no wonder that it satisfied tllc loving
heart Gifts rcadcr Words Of affection, Of hope
aud enthusiasm, bright pictures Of the home
now so near 10 them, through his own unaldctl
| efforts, ambitious plans, ipklings Of what HI
coull do for her sake, iudted in bold, free
land. which Of itself bespoke manly strength
= and energy. All this in single lelter* Yes
inn saw ii there, and il made her 50 happy that
W. will not quarrel with her for puin1in. hct
lover thus, lao Of sanity graces encirc!ing his
human head.
Ann. Ann Warren, why, didn't you kno"
supper was ready long ago: = :, ,,...-.,
I'm coming in u moment, mother. answered
! Ann IN the s!irit summons which broke in 81
harshly upon her ay-dreanl*, as hiding he'
treasure llurrieIy. she paused TO make sgh
addition to her tulet by smoothing her hair.
While she is absent let us employ ourselves ii
| turning over }euf Ut two in her past history.
Ann Warren is the only daughter ofa Ne"
+. Hampshire farmer, who lad slowly accumulated
| Il comfortable fortune despite the drawbacks !"
early poverty, aud rocky soil, for no poctic;l
license can We speak Of fertile meadows in r.
| :rion where meadows, so called BY courtesy. nr
upon Il hillside. II he had earned his dollar:
hardly, he knew I4ow tn keep item. 1t cann.'
!, therefore b. supposed, tIat either liz Or IL
i thrifty spousc would propose i love match {"
had neither money nor expectations. While III
t;rrrnleaf's only hud pyetcsscd Ill entlr
willingness to marry her Of CT, if he could bt'
obtain her consent. There were prc1ty girls i
the village, who wondered ut Ann Warren
taste The dasllin., rattc-braued, black-cyc
t:rrenlcaf charmed til,'>c y u cou!a see noshin
S, remarkable i'll the modest dignity Of NIll1a'
:. l}r:.dlry's dclleanor. After the usual n,tthn
y had been pursued by Williams talin. 81 unss
rccteily :ud desperately in lore with Ann, III:
s. he n,as1 needs cnrsnlt hr upon 'lIe subject tt
behougr themselves OF ac4.uaintlng llvs tatli.
an, muth,r uf the fact. As halter nr cuur>
~ this nlrnrd the eyes If the worthy couple
t>. precisely tlr worst time fnr Interference Bll
in tcir :c:l +" make everything right they d
a nnt understand tllls any mnrc than nt1lrr vi
:. heads l,ayc done since the days Of Adam. III
Il law WIS la'l down 50 c:nI'latlcaily that Il
,rr snuthfn! couple were united in hcar1 by Il
nc very cfInrt ElHt|c 10 separate them. Ann ";
'- an obedent daughter for, although she cuu
& not forget William size could and did break
II, | all intercourse with one whom she dreamed
~ ay aud night. Resolved to convince .'osl:
~ Warren thu, he w;s> worthy Of better trcatinci
:" William Bradley hurried :Iway to Lowell, whe
tie funl employment in Il machine shop. III
e rrnred sn lucrative, that he returned Ia WI
town at the expiration Of the year, to invest
- | considerable s;.v1l. and talk with pardonas
| III i!lS tATtCtAV1HS. II -fAu . VIZ
- vnce to her parents Ind for IL moment silak
u his faith i'll her canstalc,, he read the story
u:, her truth in the pad c}irck ami lustcrless =
IT. which unclaimed his attention during the ent
l5,l. afternoon service 1T the village church.
Oil ac4uaintanccS greeted him at the chu'
e" tnur tu make friendly inquiries, and some,
- dull 10 interpret ari.llt hisab>tractcd and dow
cast air, inquired, significantly, if he had II
will Ann Warren. William hurried awuy from III
'L 'sn 10 find relief in the retirement Of his fathe
). a: house. bnt lrre his mother, while ostensit
{ l. busted in laying aside her Sunday garb and r
rtE y parin. supper. enlarged upon the consumpt
''''r tcndtucit. Of the Warren family.
There WAS Ruby Narren--you rememl
'la. ''; her dun't Won, Though come 10 tn
ont, you must n been too itt!c,-we!l, she p'i
TT away till spring come. knew shed live
'"' spring, after she fingered along Through the
:tf; will drop away ahuut the time the leaves
,li i but she di.in's; she fingered alonE as said
si'r fare. till spring cone,-she was Jest tile NJ,
y III, little lsct>cx that buried before YOU J
- b'rn. Mercy Warren, she went next al
- Ruby, -
lm;s his hut be hurried out of the house, while
~. old lady ra1nblcd nn in her family history,
! ,i,y dressing her conversation to her husband,
mildly wondering, now aud then, why VIII
Is, hurried off 50. jest as supper was almost on
erin table.
.sis S:a orchard brl,nl the dwelling house, spot
;-ctss lg. and >.erc enough 10 encourage ali the
n anc!oly fnrrbaIiucs Of his troubled soul. +
| nc thr granite ridge hr :.ht sight Of the VII
.lSa. buriul ground, IL drsnla.e field If graves,
w. H"s which t,e in>tnctvc1v turned away ouly te
s:..S. his gaze upon josiah Warren thEeestory o
y IT, standing out hare and Whit. without ! she
t,u ing tree or other ornament 10 relieve It's Il
'~- tracty. aspect. Thus his thoughts hnE
lrNt from RUBY uud Mercy Warren, whose III
ut a: and ages IL had often spelled of the gray I
?; - tic sl:.bs iu boyhood, hack u tue pad :
Nil. IL whose blu. yeined forehead aad colorless g
rose in sad contrast beside the bloonlin. pic
aln's fiI. Of his Ann Of nile bTiri yt:lr ago.
,nr *.l!ut what can do" Tte question, L
in bitterness oi soul. received lii response. F.
TON /" IN unexpected voice at his very side sta
e''' him witi,,-"lIo dye do, William: II
ter. rrnwn too proud 10 speak to III old friend.
, IT,, ". Thought never should make ye hear
-" thing. this wind makes such lonesome kir
Ms n noisr. tilud to see you though, il seems
aid times
William gladly extended his hand to :
that Of Thomas Warren. frankly tiiscfaIm'i
> h idea of forgetting him, and then thc TWO vi
l,fyan ind talked vi every common-p!acc thing IL
v cucc. The our st,bjtc: Of interest to each
:, r., i:, Ann, WAS always carefully aToided At Il
cireu. Thomas. lingering still, mnt'cEed son'c
asly ~" :bos, being in hurry to SEE TO ths cno1
roS. home before singing school opened, IN ord
- introduce Il few parting remarks