Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-04-28
~ ~ III : -
THE snow. DROP.

There was a little rustling and murmuI
down under the snow drift which had served
as counterpane for the aower-bod, where
jonquils, roses, hyacinths, tulips, peonies and
pinks had been sleeping their long winter
nap.
1t was near their time Of waking, aud that
was why they grew restless in their dark
chamber
The Snow drop could keep still no longer
and lifting its head little, timidly said
Is it not time to wake up, sister Tulip
| thought heard robin sing"
Robins, indeed More likely you heard
the children coasting over your head, with
red noses and frozen fingers
am sure it was a robin, Tulip, il was
such q mourntul sweet strain. | thought il
said, where are all the flowers gomez
think it must be time to rise
Nonsense 1t was a chickadee, foolish
things they fly about all winter in the frost
and snow" So the Tulip, who was always
more stately and proud than the Snow-drop
turned her back upon her sister and settled
down to sleep again.
O. Do keep quiet, Snow-drop, and not dis
turb your betters with such unreasonable
clamor," Grossly exclaimed the Peony who
though very grand and snowy, was neither
sweet nor graceful, and tried to build herself
up by putting down others.
Snow-drop lay quite still after this, feeling
deeply grieved at the thought of causing her
sisters any discomfort.
The Pink, who had reused little, noticed
the disconsolate expression Of Snow-drop, anl
being Of a more gracious disposition than the
Peony and Tulip, said
Don't grieye, Snow-drop you know j
always makes Peony cross to disturb hei
| slumber. You did not mean any harm but
it is rather foolish for you to think Of getting
up in this cold wintry weather Don't yoJ
know how uncomfortable you will be in tn,
frosty air, with your head in a snow drift
and no one to keep you company Who
else will be foolish enough to venture out oil
the ground in such weather ?"
That is Just why thought | would rs,
early and gladden. the hearts Of men anc
children by being the first one to tell then
spring is coming"
&" You mean well, good little Snow-drop,
have no doubt but | wonder where you 20
such notions What do we live for but tC
enjoy ourselves and to bask in the warm SUI
and wave in the gentle breeze. Our summer
is so very brief. | for one always wait for tn
warmest and brightest days, when all thu
flowers bloom and the birds sing gaily, an,
the humming-bird always comes to visit me
and life is sweet and gay Why my dea
Snow-drop, | should not see the humming
bird in this cold weather. Ugh it is so dis
NAL the very thought makes me shiver."
The Snow-drop dropped its modest head
little, for this argument quite abashed tn
timid little thing but though very gentle
she was true and firm at her good heart, an
softly responded
" know you are wise and beautiful, swee
Pink, and birds and music and western wind
are pleasant, but it is not the selfish enjoy
ment Of bright scenes that makes me happy
Perhaps | shall make some sad heart glad if
20 where the frosts are chill and the wind
cold and whisper a promise Of spring an'
0 Pink, it is so much sweeter to comfort an
gladden. a sad heart than to reyel in selfs
pleasures !"
" Do as you like, foolish creature sha
wait for the humming-bird and the roses"
So the Pink waited but the modest Snow
drop, eager to cheer sad heart, did not min
the cold and the FROST but pushed up its littl
folded flower and bravely opened to the rug
gcd March breeze, only hoping that its mii
sion might not be in vain. 1t was not
vain.
A little girl in Il red cloak, like little Re
Riding Hood, came out to scatter crumbs 70
the chickadees and the early robin, and sh
found the pretty Snow-drop with its head
the snow on the sunny side of the drift.
" Oh, Snow-drop," she cried in ecstasy
" did you blossom for me !" Then she touct
ed it with her soft, pink fingers, and ii
snow-drop trembled with delight at Il
caress.
&" How beautiful you are, Snow-drop, an
how sweet How good in you to come whe
it is cold, and all the rest Of the flowers al
hiding in their beds No, Snow-drop yc
did not blossom for me, but for dear Mary
She said she should never see any howel
,, again. She is going to heaven, Snow-drol
and | think the good Father sent you
her"
Oh how happy this made the sweet flower
The child bore it into the room where Mar
lay. The eyes of the dying girl grew glo
and bright. She laid it on her pillow an
! gazed long and lovingly upon it, and then 81
thanked the little maid who brought it an
smiled, saying:
" Sister, think the flowers in heaven al
just like this lovely Snow-drop."
.