The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-12-06
TERMs-s2 % ycar.-Or, $3.50 paid Within
. months frsm time sfsa eribing.
VOL. XVII.

At this time, | entered as u subordinate
the large business house with which my
father had long been connected, and here,
for four years, with little variety, my life
ebbed on, each day directing my steps to and
iron my place OF labor. i trOd the same
sidewalks, turned the same street corners,
and, looking a, the familiar buildings, en-
countered ever the same faces, all oil which.
from very habit, had grown dream'likc and
unreal.
A life shut in by dinsy walls, and echoins
the stiled murmurs Of the city; unrest, To
what high development can such being at
tain' And yet, Providence is always COM
pcnatOry in its dealings, especially with the
young. Twas not unhappy, nor were my
days wholly colorless. The ladder of duty
wore not always the soil of its earthly con-
tact; but sometimes stretching away into
in6nity, upon its rounds angels Of hope and
memory assembled and descended through the
light OF my dreams. 1t was July morn
ing, radiant in the country, as the yellow
light struggling through the vapors above us
testified. | sat at my desk, idly sketchiug
upon bits Of paper, and scrawling my name
in every style Of pcnmanship, glancing up
now and then to meet the accustomed objects
dusty windows, high desks and benches,
and pervading aspect Of dinginess and
neglect. A leisure day, as even the spiders
seemed aware, spinning their airy fabrics
almost to the floor.
"Richard!" ltwas my father that spoke;
and turning, | confronted the gave, quiet
man. whose features were reflected in my
younger face and form. "0ne ofour clerks,
Grey, is sick (; | wish You to carry this note
to his house, and inquire il he is serisously
i'll. And naming the street and number, he
delivered the missre into my hand,
Gladly escaping into the open air, | hur-
ricd on my way, nothing 10th, moreover, to
visit this same John Grey, whose cheerful
and sunny temperament it was ajoy to eu-
counter. In spite Of disparity in age, there
had sprung up between us two that silent
but perfectly apprcciatiye sympathy, which
gave to the ordinary greetings of the day u
charm and a meaning peculiarly pleasant.
With little difficulty, found the house to
which had been directed, a wooden struc-
ture, evidently past itsprime, retaining upon
the surface dim and uncertain impression
OF the complexion it had bOasted in its
youth.
But upon one side, woodbine flung its
pcndulous crccpers, tossing the shining sprays
at the motion OF the wind, and ever like the
earnest soul, thrustinS up new tendrils to
grasp at something higher-to bask in purcr
and richer sunlight. A ledge built out from
the window near it, supported few flower
pots, with plants in blossom, and observing
these, felt the influence Of tho same genial
soul, which had smiled its warmth down
into many a shady nook OF my own. a do
mcstic answered the summons OF the bell, and
was delivering. to her rather dim compre-
hension, the message with which was
charged, when arrested by voice from the
upper landing, and well known face thrust
over the banisters to inquire.
"Is it you, Vaughn then walk right IN,
upstairs. i was sure you would find me out.
I am not much sick. as you see but |
thought li.tle vacation would not hurt
me-"
And then no would have me seated in a
cory arm chair, and drawing up another of
like dimensions, babe me tell him all the
news. and how the world Of business had
logged ON since he stepped out of his sphere'
At length when had, to the best of my
ability, replied to his rapid questioning. and
to my own satisfaction, ascertained the light
nature OF his present ailments, | remarked
rather abruptly, glaneing round me, 81 like
your house exceedingly, Mr.. Grey. Such a
hOme-loOk worn by everything! not at all
like my home," added. "Sincc the death Of
nv mother matters are not Us they were once
in our dwelling, and agian my look reverted
to the gay ehintz coverings upon chairs and
lounges. and the delicate neatnes which was
manifest in every detail, and rose reluctant
ly to take my leave. But my host anticipa.
ted the movement Of departure. saying de-
eidedly,
"Not yet. Not until you have seen
Violet"
My look Of inquiry, as he uttered the
words, he replied to, saying, with an accent
Of surprise,
"You have surely heard me speak Of my
daughter. My only child?"
"Neyerl"
"Ah. we'll. her story is brief, and to
strangers sad one. \ terrible fever, through
which she passed when child, left her per-
Fcctly helpless, quite crippled for life. This
very day Is her seventeenth birthday. and it
is ten years since she stepped upon the
ground"
"POor sirl,"I murmured, inyOluntarily.
"what a privatiOn :"
But John Grey smiled, saying softly half
in soliloquy,
"a blessing she has proved indeed to us,
and to all who know her, my patient little
Violet! II may be sel6shness, bntwe would
not ifit were in our power, her mother and
myself, exchange our child with all her in
n'm'ues OF body, for the gayost, most health
iai s'ri' iaekingher spiritual sweetness. For
her own sake eannO, think wider sphere
! could be happier, or bstter vet snmntimes