The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-12-12
Volume rs.

The valley through which her pathway
lay was througed by pilgrims seeking the
same object. Flowers, varyingin form, hue,
and fragrance. were spread like gay carpet
upon every side. Magdalen plucked many,
but finding no inscription upon them, she
cast them from her. At last, when the day
had become rarely bright. Magdalen was at-
tracted toward cluster of violets whose
swee, fragrance aoated through the air.
She stopped to gather them, when one beside
her asked, what seek you fair maidenT
Il seek the flower upon which Happiness
is written, was Magdalen's reply.
The stranger laughed aloud as he replied ;
Surely thou art not so blind rs to search for
it upon those blue posies; know well the
flower you need, but these are weeds
Magdalen blushed. but looked regretfully
at the bed of violets. Il thought she mur-
INJURED. that my search was ended. Tell
me, friend, the secret, il thou knowest it,
Upon what flower shall find Happiness9
upon the golden rOse,' replied her friend;
but ii lies far in advance of US. AL these
whom you bshold search for it. Farewell
must hasten on my journey
Magdalen paused and gazed earnestly ut
the lovely flowers. A breath of the south
wind shook rich perfume from their cups
Nevertheless, will carry some in my bOs-
om she said. 'the odor is sweet And hasti-
ly gathering them she placed them near her
heart.
Henccforth she sought golden roses. She
never found 50 large cluster OF yiolets, but
they were scattered singly along her path
way and at las, she gave them but slight
heed. Il must on she cried, 'where the
golden roses bloom
Often. when she faltered under the noon.
day heat, the perfume OF the unnoticed aow-
ers in her bosom stole upon her weary senses
and refreshed her. In the beginning Of her
journey Magdalen held her white robe from
the dust, but as she became eager in her pur-
suit. she suffered it to trail about her feet,
until it became stained and foul. The fur
ther she went the greater was the number
Of those who sought golden roses. Once, as
she fingered. footsore and weary, there ap-
preached her group Of travellers whose ia
ces wore, instead Of the eager, restless ex-
preston of the crowd, the calmuess of con-
tent and rest. About their brows they had
bound wreaths OF violets, with lilies Of the
valley intermixed. They no longer sought
flowers, bu, pluckCd the few simple ones in
their pathway with tender care.
why do you not seek Happiness?' asked
Magdalen.
we have found it, said white-haired
grandsire; We have gathered also some white
flowers that bear the name Peace, in crys-
tai letters, and Of the two we have woven
garlands.'
Good people, exclaimed Magdalen, while
she smiled at their simplicity, these are but
weeds. l, too, bear about with me the same,
because | delight in their fragrance, but
they are not for our garlauds, yonder-far
away-are beds Of golden roses; upon them
we shall end the writing
The aged man shook his head as he pity
ingly looked upon her, and they left her
alone.
Once Magdalen lost her way and entered
thick forest, in which twilight reigned.-
On the further side morass checked her
steps, but gay flowers blooming therein, al
lured her. Hesitatingly, she placed her foot
upon iair.seeming hillock and grasped a
aower. but the treacherous moss sank he.
meath her, and she withdrew herself with her
robe sadly discolored, while the flower with
in her grasp. proved coarse and unlovely.
giving forth vilo odor.
Beware whispered warning voice, and
turning, she sped away.
But still there grew no roses. and even the
Wild flowers disappeared; so that those who
a, tirs, scorned to gathered them, had at last
no perfume to cheer their weary senses
Magd,len became worn with fatigue and ex.
posure: her form was bowed; her face pale
and wrinkled. She drew near the gate call
ed Rest; soon she must pass it and have
yet no rOse,' she cried. to take with me; ah
me I am undons! have not found Hap.