The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1861-06-04

i."Jeoo0o- poor uealtn-ueprcsSlOn or Splr
lts-these were the topics dwclt upon during
the hour 1 stayed. l tried several times t(
get her mind away from hem-to interes
her In other themes; but like a strained
spring, it came always back to its common
adjustment.
'The case of Mrs. Goldsmith is hopeless,
said to myself on retiring. What are
wealth and luxures worth if their possessors
can use them to no better advantage tan this
inactlon produces stagnation, and staguatior
breeds sickly forms of life The mind Of
Mrs. Goldsmith is a stagnant pool Miasma
hangs over the surface like cold vapor, and
In the sluggish waters below monstrous crea.
lures are taking shape and vitality. Storm
and flood were better than this let the pool
be swept In ruin away SO that even the TIM
e est stream remain, singing, as itspuro waters
ilow on and or, its happy song, chording
sweetIy with every windnote that kisses the
flower-heads bending above Yes, yes
this were better far.
A year afterward, in distant city, l read
of Mr.. Goldsmith's sudden death and let
ters received from home soon aftcrward gave
me the information that he died bankrupt.
His widow is left without dollar was the
language of my correspondent.
Poor Mrs Goldsmith = said I, looking
up from my letter, and recalling her image as
last seen. Here is trouble indeed !-troub-
lie that you cannot sit down and brood over
trouble that will give no permission for an
elegant retirement from the world trouble
hot tbo~ -
can nurture. All is there any strength left
for an ordeal like this? Will gold be found
in the cruclbe after the fire has reached its
intensest heat ?
After an absence of three years returned
In my own absorbing duties-in my own
trials, sufferings and life -discipine-.Mrs.
Goldsmith was forgotten, or only remembered
at times with vague impersonality. She was
of the great outside world of men and wo.
men who do not touch the chords of our in
dividual life, nor awaken sympathetic in
tere,t.
was sitting in one of the parors Of an
old and valued friend when young lady,
who had rung at the door and been admitted
by the servant, came in. My friend said,
in kind, familiar voice, but without intro
ducing her,
Oh, Margaret
Miss Annie is at home There was
low pleasant tone in the speakers voice.
Yes. Walk into the back parlor. She'll
be with you in a moment
The young lady passed through the fold
ing doors, and we were alone again.
There's something familiar in her face,'
said ], hooking inquiringly at my friend.
'Annie's music-teacher ; Miss Gold
smith,
Not the daughter Of Robert Goldsmith,
who died few years ago?
Yes
What of her mother?' [ asked, with a
suddenly quickcning interest, is she still liv-
ing?'
'Oh yes
Where, and how
With her daughter.
Whom she cast off in anger on account of
her marriage with young man regarded as
beneath her?
Yes
What Of him ?? inquired.
{ lie s an cstimable person, | believe, and
holds responsible position in one Of our
large mercantile houses.
what blow to pride wonder how
Mrs. Goldsmith's present compares with her
condition of mind when she stood in the
higher ranks?'
But my friend could not answer the ques-
tion. She had not known Mrs. Goldsmith in
the days of her prosperity, and only knew of
her now through h her daughter, who came
twice week to give music lessons.
Next morning called upon my old ac-
ousintance, now in adversely. Nearly ten
minutes passed after sending up my card be-
fore she made her appearance. | began to
have misgivings as to the state in which l
should find her.
A rustling of garments on the stairs-the
pleasant pattering of little feet-the music of
a chid's questioning voice--and then Mrs.
Goldsmith entered, leading a golden haired
little girl of some three summers by the hand.
One glance into her pale humanized face told
the story of suffering and triumph. Sho had
been down among the soothing waters Of sor-
row and adversity, but had risen above them
in the strength Of nobler and purer love
than had burned in her heart in the days
of wealth and luxurious ease.
1T was Kind in you to CALL she said, as
she stood holding my hand and looking at mo
with grateful expression on her face
! am grieved, said, using the common