Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-01-26


q am glad you like company. I shall get
along quite easily now"
Hard enough at the best. You look SICK
you are not well, | AIN sure" observed Leon,
noticing the extreme paleness Of her complex
ion, and her emaciated figure.
"Quite well in body, but sick at heart. If
I had only been used to it," she sighed, 81
could have borne it better"
You have seen better days, them" said
Leon inquiringly
Yes; l have been dealt with mysteriously,
and yet have no reason to complain. God be
thanked that it is no worse with ne,' said she
fervently. "There are harder lots than mine
perhaps yours is so-only it comes so hard to
me, it was such change. But, believe me,
for whole year have met with no sympathy
but yours, and you must not leave me till
know your name-it is 50 singular that should
meet with one so congenial."
Leon Howard .
you. Pardon, good sir. You will receive in
heaven the reward for your kindness. | am
quite rested now,' she said, extending her hand
to take the basket.
" Not yet" said Leon swinging it around
into his other hand " tell me your story,
please.
Bless you, sir, my story's nothing only to
myself"
Z" 1t would beguile the time, and teach me
lesson, perhaps. Who knows? You was IL la
dy once, I am sure"
" In a worldly sense, was. Inever labored
till year ago, and that is why it comes so
hard. | have suffered, but | have learned
lesson though, which it is worth suffering to
learn. have learned to trust in Him who
never forSakes. "
Never"
9 Perfected through suffering. What a So
lace, when overwhelmed with trials and afHic-
tions, to be able to say, with a trusting soul,
Our Father Yes, stranger, have been
chastised, but, thanks be to God, trust it has
yielded the peaceable fruits Of righteousness. >"
Leon felt too great reverence for the angel
presence that walked beside him, to attempt an
answer, and went on in silence.
my father was one of the wealthicst mer-
chants in New York, and, of course, was rear
ed in luxury. Two years ago was married.
My husband was poor, but, thank Heaven, he
was Christian. A year ago he died, when
Charlie was only fortnight old. In few
days after, father died too; and all his proper
ty went to creditors. 1t was all through vii
famous means, mother said, but we have been
unable to disc over them If they could only
have been spared; but such change. 1t weighs
heavily, but time, l trust, will bring the heal
ing balm"
" 1t has," said Leon, thinking of her calm
submission.
= 1t HAS. AT times, tbs true, feelings of ut.
ter dependency overwhelm me, but it is only
for moment. But enough. I am fully recon.
ciled to the will Of Him who doeth all things
we'll >"
For few moments they walked on in ST.
lence. What a priceless treasure" thought
Leon, " must be the possession of such a spirit.
It's like my mothers" In their abstraction,
they had not noticed the dark clouds that were
rising rapidly in the southwest, till peal of
thunder woke them from their reveries
81 thunder storm--so near " exclaimed
Leon.
Strange we mad not noticed it; how rapid
ly it comes, answered his companion.
Another peal Of thunder, accompanied by "a
sweeping wind, warned them that they had no
time to lose.
i" How dark it is -
1t will be terrible storm Hear it
come"
"See how swift the little light clouds sail
over the mountains" F"
g Mercy " exclaimed the stranger lady, as
fash of lightning almost blinded her, ard the
the thunder rolled heavily in the same in
stant.
" 1t begins to rain, said Leon, as the first
great drops now fell scattering around them.
" Just in season."
They stepped over the threshold, just as the
; shower, in all its fury, burst upon them. 1t
was small framed house, of the cheapest and
coarsest finish, and brown with age. A glow
ing fire was burning in the old. fashioned fire
place, over which the thoughtful mother was pre-
pairing supper Everything within was scru-
pulously neat, and much of the furniture an
!, tinnn nd COSTLY but which cnnld NOT be sold