Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1867-10-17
MISCELLANY.
The Three Wishes.

Twas a bright May morning, and the young
ladies of Mrs. NJ 5 boarding school were to have
holiday. They all retreated to the old forest,
there to enjoy the balmy air Of spring. The
stately trees appeared in their bright green YES
ture, and thousand happy birds fitted gaily
through their branches, pouring forth their
sweet voices in low twitterirgs and loud gush-
es Of melody. Violets and primroses enamel
ed the messy knolls, and sweetly twined among
the running evergreen vines forming a pretty
contrast with theirdark shining leaves. Under
sturdy oak, whose thick branches spread far
around. on a soft bed of moss, near murmur-
ing brook, sat three maidens, the pride and joy
of the school The FIRST, Alice Linton, was in
deed beautiful creature. Hereyes were black
as night, and in them beamed the fire Of q no.
ble soul her glossy hair fell in curls down her
graceful shoulders, and her tall, slender form at
once impressed one with feeling Of Difference
and respect All she was proud, yet sensi-
tive being. who knew nought Of care or sorrow.
By her side and encircling her waist with her
arm. was her much loved friend, Annie Willis.
She was beautiful, too, with golden curls fall
ing or a neck white as alabaster. In her mer-
ry blue eyes was a kind Of roguish look, and
the laughing dimple in her crimson cheek at
once told that she was gladsome Joyous thing.
/ The other, Clara Leslie, sat pensvely leaning
against the old trees trunk, gazing on her fair
companions. Her dark brown hair was bound
in shining braids about her head, and was
smoothly parted from her intellectual brow,
and her love-beamng eyes shone with soft and
gentle lustre All she had pure and noble
soul which saw beauty in every leaf and flow
er for her spirit had been solteued and sub
dued by sorrow. For time they chatted
gaily, and ever and anon a merry laugh burst
from them; but at length, they paused, and
each seemed absorbed in her own reflections
At last, Annie spoke.
"If You were to die, Alice, and you could
choose the disease which would end your life,
what would you say ~
Alice shuddered and said 81 wish you
would not talk tome of death, it is so horrible
but since you have asked me this, will tell
Won. I should not wish TO die of long and
lingering illness: wish that when die, it
NAV be suddenly, so that shall have no time
to dread it. I cannot bear to think Of death,
it makes me 50 unhappy. What would you
choose, Annie %
The sunlight faded from tie eyes Of the fair
girl. and casting her eyes on the ground for a
moment. she said Il would not die sudden
". should wish time to prepare: I would
choose & consumption" What" said Alice
wish to die by inches wish to be wasting
away and dying formonths? Obi Annie, but,
continued the loving cir, throwing her arms
about her friends neck, and imprintins kiss
on her fair face, Il hardly think your wish will
be granted The merry look in your eye, the
rich hue on your cheek, forbds such q thought.
/ But what do you say, Clara"
The bright tears gathered in the eyes Of her
gentle friend as she replied &" would not
choose Iwish it may be Just as my Father will
In Him who doeth all things well, put my
trust "Ah, would that felt thus" said
Annie. Here they were Joined by their COM
panions, and We leave them