The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1865-04-12
MISCELLANY.
ELLEN MYRE.

oped in my nature, is species of content
ment which enables me TO derive grea
deal of pleasure from very small things.
confess TO much ambtion-I should low,
TO do every thing in much superior
manner TO anybody clse-and | shoult
like to have everything quite as nice, i
not nicer than other peoples. But if
cannot ouistrip my fellows either in decd
or possessions, | pause upon the limits o
my ability, satisfied that have done the
best | could, and hopeful for the future
knowing that time and steady effort will
conquer difficulties and enlarge capacities
| never can bring myself 10 think any
thing is to be gained by chafng and fret.
ting at impossibilities. While we pause
to give vent to despairing signs, embiter.
ing life for ourselves and others, many
golden moments glide away, which, like
crystal waters poured ont upon the ground,
can never again be gathered up
While facilitating myself upon this
happy trait in my disposition, one day,
amused myself with surveying all the
pleasant things about me, and enjoying
them TO the fullest extent. ! believe |
had not wish in my heart for more than
possessed, though my surroundings were
neither rich or luxurious. | loved these
things as loved everything beautiful, but
being beyond my reach, could wait, en-
joying meantime what had, hoping for
better some day.
had just gone into a new house,
and this was my snuggcry," in which
felt 50 satisfied and happy. The house
itself was neat and large, quite respectable.
ii not stately, and thc row of handsome
houses fronting my front windows quite
repaid me for any lack of showiness in my
own. The outside world was not much
to me. felt independent of that when
let fall the curtains and TUNED back to
the shining crate, in which the brightest
of fires glowed cheerily. On one side of
1t stood ny great easy chair, soft with
cushions, and very inviting. A foot cush-
ion before it suggested many hours of
elegant ease and delicious rest after the
work was done which waited me on the
other side of the room. There stood a
desk whose drawers were filed with
manuscripts. The paper weight Ga chubby
little bronze fooD pen rack and wiper,
paper knife and huge cut glass inkstand,
were all in their places. The book case
belonging to the desk held my dictionaries.
English, French, Greek and Latin
Beside them lay Bible and prayer-book-
gifts from dear ones whose eyes might no
more trace the beloved pages. And Just
over the top of the desk hung the pictured
face of one that held a very tender place
IN my heart Whenever l looked up from
my employment, the blue eyes she'd their
genial light upon me, and the beautiful
mouth smiled encouragement. Other
pictures graced the walls, but none were
like this and TO none did talk as TO my
Charley, with his royalty handsome head
bent toward me so devotedy.
a little way from the desk stood n sofa
luxurious with soft cushions, whose bright
tlnts were melowcd down to Il most deli
cious tone by the simple closing of Il blind.
The carpet was soft and bright in harm
ony with all the other appointments of
the room. And in the extreme end of
this snuggery, sheltered by falls of bright
drapery, stood my bed, cleaning within
its niche like Il downy snow drift.
! loved music passionatcly, so my piano
had MS place. near it little tinklinr
guitar. Shrouded in Its green baize cover
in one corner stood the dear old harp.
that had been my mothers, and was TO
me like living companion when ! with
drew the cover and suffered my fingers to
wander lovingly through the shining cords.
My mothers sweet voice spoke TO me
through them, and her soft siIvcry lauph
foated through the twilight when | play
ed the little merry airs she loved. All
tins was comfort. ! enjoyed 1t with the
inllness OF contentment because it was all
mine, won by own efforts, and those efforts
had been my best. This little home, thi,
one room, with all its pleasant appoint
ments, was my world The tall book
case, with its glass doors, showed me gates
through which | might pass to many and
distant lands The store of volumes was
valuable, and ma unendng source of plea.
sure. In the self same hour could, with the
sovereign power OF an independent mind
choose for my associates princes of roval
blood, kings, queens, emperors, and hold
high revel with peasants on the green. |
might chatter Greek with the Grecians.
drink tea with the Emperor of China, sip
sweet Tuscan wines with the dark eyed |
children OF that sunny land sweep with
Kane through frigid regions of the North
Pole. What royal head could boast a
crown of brighter honors All these were
to me real | lived, moved, and talked
with these people. They were daily and
familiar companions, and it was with me
to say who much time youchsafed to
them. Like Selkirk, " Twas monarch of .
all Isurveyed," and fmy right there were
none to dispute" But felt much better
satisfied with my position than fe did
disposed to think myself the happiest
on earth.
In this pleasant frame of mind I went
to my front window and stood sheltered
by the curteins. The stately houses were
grander still, with their CLEANS of ruddy
light visible AT some of the windows
stood fair young forms, looking down with
bright, eager eyes upon the white streets
over which proud steeds pranced to the
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