The Van Buren press., 1871-03-14
MISCELLANY. Y
From the New Orleans Sunday Times
Legend Of the Violet.

1t Was mans last day in Paradise -
Low on the eastern horizon lay a black
mass of storm cloud, cleft at intervals
by the flaming swords which the angels
we're bearing to the walls Of Eden. A
fearful hush was in the air, and the trees
bent nearer the earth as if seeking shell
ter from the coming wrath
Through the bowers Of Eden wander
ed the mother of men, beating her white
bosom in impotcnt despair, and pausng
beside each object in an agony Of fare
well. How could she leave them forsv-
er! Here the trees she had watched and
tended from their earliest shoots until
now, when in full lruitage they touched
the ground. The flowers SO dearly cher
ished, so carefully nursed +? The foun-
tain which soothed her noontide slum
bers? She placid lake which daily re-
flected her charms
"Most Powerful" she cried, lifting
her arms in agony of supplication, "give
me one Of these fair companions to
sweeten the desoate wilderness Of my
banishment! 1t may not flourish in the
arid soil, but | will water it with the
tears Of my repentance to new growth.
$50 be it, lhou most unhappy one y
murmured an angle who, unpreceived,
had followed her steps. "Talle Of these
plants the one thou lovst best, and which
will be willing to 90 with thee into exile"
A sudden light came into her fearful
eyes.
"Rose," she cried "my fairest and
sweetest, whom have loved so dearly,
wilt thou not 60 ort with me into the
world"
The Rose blushed an angry crimson,
and raised her naughty head.
"What would do in thy desolate
Spaces she cried, "can bear the
draught, and the storms, and the bitter
cold which thy transgrcssion hath
brought upon the earth, Leave me, ]
pray thee, and 90 thy wayW Then Eve
grew hot with anger, and laid her hand
upon the flower in prophetic curse
"Bc thou accursed' she criep. "May
thy ioveiness be a snare to bring pain
ond disappointment to those who seek
to gather thee A bright bloom will
tempt them, and 10 the cruel thorn
which will outivc thy brief life. A
badge Of faction, a signal Of bloodshed,
wrought into the darkest tapsetary Of
human life, May the eating Of the curse
begin this self-same hour"
And the rose grew full Of thorns.
"Pure Lily, wilt thou go with me z"
and the voice Of the unhappy woman
was full of tears.
The Lily hung her head and sighed.
1t is dark and dreary out there" she
shivcred 81 will miss the sunshine,
and the sweet south wind and more
than these, the touch ofangel lips, which
makes me so white and pure Leave me
here for a time until thou makcst graves
on the earth, where the pure maidens and
sinless little children will sleep. Then
will ! come to thee, for Gods angels
whom thou hast grieved away will be
near those graves, and / will be no long
er lonely"
Heavy tears rained from the woman \
eyes into the snowy chalice over which
she bent. 1t is best so, she murmured.
"When the graves thou speakest Of fill
the earth, and men curse the name OF
Eve who brought horrible Death into
the world, they will need thee to tell
them of her lest inheritance"
SO she wandered on in deeper woe un.
ill she reached spot dazzling with the
light and color of its flowers "Ah, my
bright Tulip" she cried, Gradient as a
gold and purple sunset, wilt thou go
with me into the world"
The Tulip flashed cut angry rays.
=" Mad art thou to ask such boon," he
cried "In the rude soil would grow
colorless. Dost thou not know my hues
are but the reflection Of the skies Of
Eden, so -
mo MORE cried Eve. "Relect as
thou wilt, cold flower, but be from this
day odorlcss and useless Bear the
mockery Of warmth and beauty about
thee, but delight no hearts and not one
sense, save the sense of sight, which
Graves glitter and the emblance Of better
things"