The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-12-06
BIDDEFoRD, MAINE, FRIDAY

yiolet's" listening ear and in return, many
story, read or repeated, many childish
song Ginning up through her own memory,
held IN thrall charmed audience. How
strong power for good or i'll thus lay in her
feeble hands one could not question, who
watched the eager faces grouped about her
chair, and the keen perceptions quickened
into frcshcr vitality, as the young girl talked
with them Of those simple, yet life-giving
principles, which underlie the noble frame.
work of society. Nor were those lessons OF
faith and patience forgotten or lost; such
seed, though "sown in weakness, shall be
raised in powcr!"
Under ordinary circumstances the prudence
of such relation as existed between Violet
and myself, might well have been questioned.
As il was, we were far too young in years
and in the knowledge Of human nature, to
regard worldly exrediency at all. Neither
Of us had known the ever deepening affection
nurtured amid children of one household,
and to our attachment we gave the name OF
that intense. yet calmest Of earthly connec-
tiors.
We were but children still, Violet and 1.
A year had gone by, month by month it
had melted away. In the city court the
breath of autumn, as by some divine alche-
my, had transmitted to ruby the long green
sprays Of the woodbine, and having glittercd
for awhile at that gay carnival Of nature, it
cast aside its jewels, and calmly slept. Then
followed winter-stripped of its purity here.
giving to us but the icy blast, and paler skies,
and brief days of the northern climate. But
spring at length succeeded. Upon my mo-
theirs grave the snow-drop, and crocus, and
timid daisy once more held up ccnsors Of
beauty, and the winds were ailluent with the
whisper of waking life.
| had made a pilgrimage to that Mecca Of
my faith, and returning, brought away such
relics as could gathcr-fresh leaves and
buds, upspringing from the dust, like the
new hopes which were blossoming through
my life. In the warm dusk Of that May
evening sat at Violct's feet, and laid upon
her lap these delicate emblems Of promise.
"lf you could but see them growing, Vio-
let," said, eagerly. "Thc smell Of the
earth, and the glitter of the sunshine, and
the free air, would be so sweet for you Oh,
wish You might DO carried into tho coun-
try" And l looked at the long dark line Of
buildings bounding our near horizon.
"It would be pleasant, Richard. l think
sometimes may be taken thcre!" There
was quiet dropping accent to her voice, as
If that were a subject too painful to be dwelt
upon at length. Something in her look and
manner that evening, reminded me Of my
mother. There had, indeed, always existed
the Likeness which one fragile and hidden,
yet patient life, naturally holds to another.
With the secluded and hushcd room, and its
unworldly atmosphere, associated all those
hours of unchecked communion, soul with
soul, which had hallowed the memory of my
mother, and which were weaving for the
brow Of this later love q crown amaranth.
"There are SO many things | would do If
might"
was startled at the earnestness other man
ner, as Violet leaned forward little, resting
her cheek upon the palm of one hand, and
with the other pulling impetuously ut the
fringe Of her crimson shawl. The calm SUBJ
mission which her manner usually indicated,
led one constantly in her society to forget that
it was maintained by perpetual striving less
cncd by degrees and the habit Of rcstraint,yct
still requisite.
"Wl,at would you do, dear Violet r'and
a, spoke there flashed before my view, the
vision of far different fate; OF life in the
world-gay, brilliant and tenpting-the fair
fresh world, which her gaze would never pene-
trate; the hills and valleys which her feet
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naa,;a,. v ,t, ,ann,.t hnm =, ~. o;,, :,owJ.
:, saa,p, H. III. ,ha val, or n, r.. n,;..,v .nd
.0fsrinc and crime crsen;nc n, 10 nv ear
7 have never nosssd ON, or this court vot I
see in npcy manv street upon which the
.un never smiles: where are hardened and
DISCOURAGED men and women and children.
who o,. ,op,bt potbinr bu, sin, oh. Rich.
-, hos. hoe, loved and o,,ad far 50
,aId.,,v mv hso,, coes oo, IN ,;,v towards
,ho.o hall never see and alas can never
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