The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1862-09-17
Seletted STORY.
THE FOREST MAIDEN
BY MRS. ELLEN GOODMAN.


1t was low-roofed, humble log house in the
heart of western wilderness At its rude door
way stood two beings gazing out upon the wild
but magnificent scenery - the proud giant trees,
with their tall branches rising toward the blue
Skies their glossy leaves trembling in the sum
mer breeze aud forming curtain through which
the bright sunbesms poured over the rich sward
at their foot - the wild flowers peeping out
from the dark shadows of their huge trunks,
and the scarcely trodden iootpaths winding over
the velvet turf from the narrow CLEARING about
the cottage. A low, thrilling carol, from Hut
teripg bird now aud theu broke the stiffness,
and far away down the shady ravine was family
heard the soft murmur of rippling stream.
The eyes of the young maiden ut the door
wandered delightedy over the quiet scene, and
there was light in their blue depths, and a
dmpIing smile about the rosy mouth which gave
an iudesCrbIble charm to her sweet face. One
little hand clasped the Strings Of the straw bon.
net which hung by her side, and the other was
raised to her white forehead, half shading the
laughing orbs beneath it ,rom the bright sun-
light while the whispering winds lightly touch
ed her pure neck lifting the wavy brown tres
ses from her shoulders. She WAS very young
and very beautiful, and every glance of her
bright eyes told that her soul was full of love
and purity. The lady by her side was many
years her senior, and there was the slightest
shade OF care upon her smooth brow, aud a
subdued and patient look upon her Tild face,
which told that her life had not been without It's
changes and trials. The glance which she cast
upon the young girl was full OF tenderness and
maternal affection and when she looked into
the deepening shadows Of the surrounding for
est or up to the azure skies, the soft light o
her dark eyes told of hope and contentment, i
not of enthusiasm. All at once the little hanC
dropped from the forehead and a low, ringing
laugh came from the lips of the young girl,
"Thcy are coming, mother See, there i
father holding Anna and little Eddy upon m!
black pony, and Oscar in the rear mounted upoI
old Charley! Oh, we shall have such a mic,
ride through these old roads, aud down by thu
bank of the quiet river
| Aud with Joyous bound she dsrted forwart
to meet the approaching baud, the merry voice
of the delighted little ones mirgng with he
4 joyous shouts.
con, sister Ether " cried little Anna, "w
have had such grand time Eddy and rid
ing around through the forest, with father t
lead your dear little pony; and he is SO clever
aud steps so carefully over the green sward an
} pretty flowers. Oh, l wish We had not got nom
this whole hour yeti"
But the chubby prattler was lifted from he
coveted seat, and stood dancing at the feet Q
her mother, while the baby boy slapped his tin
hands, and sent out his infant carol from th
arms of his smiling sire. Ether had tied he
! straw bonnet over her curls, and sprang grac'
fully TO the back OF her favorite and now b
paved the turf impatiently, aud shook his go'
sy msne, as il quite conscious of the love
weight he bore, and longing to dart away dow
y the mossy patch, and through the dim shades
the thick grove.
Her brother, a tall, noble looking youth
5, twenty, soon smilingly joined the company, al
); after kissing her gloved hand to the deer grou
they galloped away down the foot-psth, az
Il we're lost to view. After riding mile or tv
u pepealh the dropping boughs of the old tree
!. hey suddenly came to the steep bank of riy
!, If considerable size and turning to the rigt
/. nad full view OF the open country for mil
: around. No obstruction was offered 10 the
n progress, aud they rode gayly on over RI
r Ut downy moss aud yielding swArd, besprrk X
\ sith wild flowers OF every hue and variety. +
ri 20 the left, and on the opposite shore, the e
{ est MAS deep and unbrokeu, and the steep gr
NJ No ~ deeliyity which rose from the rivers pr
waters was now and then broken by a chain
ld massive rocks extending lar out into the strea
and losing their dark tops amid the shruoo'
nd aud spreading boughs. The cheeks Of Ell
Dauham glowed, aud bright smiles deepened
dimples about her small mouth, while her bro