Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-07-12
Cur ayumng folks.
Robin

thoSe who have the ability TO work Tor hu-
manity :" are EXPLANATIONS often heard,
and no doubt express the honest sentiments
of those who utter them. And yet 1t Is
the lives that are lived, rather than the
words that are spoken, that tell upon the
age, and while only few are conscious Of
being instruments in the achievement Of
any great reform, many have unconscious
ly gwen to 1t the strength OF each day
endeavor The wave that rises in resist
less power, and sweeps away some old
landmark of evil, is composed Of many
drops but only few sparkle in the sun
light at its crest. 1t is not only by do
ing, but by being, that the great lessons
of life are taught, and whoever has lived
truly and unselfshly, has advanced the
noblest interest.
Sitting under the naples few days
ago, listening, half drowsily, to the rus
tie of the leaves, | was startled into full
consciousness by having placed in my
hand one Of those thin lcttercd envelopes.
which 50 soon becomes associated in our
minds with unlocked for events and sor-
rowful experiences. \ telegram in this
quiet summer world seemed an incongruity
sive in my hand. 10th to open it. was
too content % care much for good news
even, and felt peculiar reluctance TO be-
ing saddened by any that was unwelcome.
As | feared it proved to be a sOrrowlu
message. Robin is dead, were the few
words it contained. and though the tidings
had been long expected, ] did not feel
quite prepared to receive them. Are we
ever prepared to learn that the world has
been impoverished for Us by so much a.
the withdrawal Of heart that loved u.s.
Who is Robin ?" does the reader ask ?
4 woman, who never did anything that
could be called remarkable who had
none Of the qualities that the world priz-
Is, neither wealth, beauty, genius. nor the
freshness Of early youth. Her name was
scarcely known outside the circle Of her
personal friends, aud for years she had
been shut within a sick chamber. seen only
by the members of her own family. And
vet as my thoughts 90 back through the
years, recalling all that | have known of
her, | realize that hers has been life rich
in good influences. beautiful IN It's minis
traitor to all who knew her.
Fourteen years ago, | was associated
with school il certain western town.
and at the head Of a large family Of boy
and young men. Both sexes were associat-
ed in the school, but it was not Thought eS-
pedient to have them domicded together
in the home. Into this household came
nv young friend, at that time a GIRL of
nineteen She was in delicate health, and
her physician having prescribed change of
air, and u lite as unlike a. possible the one
she had been accustomed, she came to me.
A more fairy like creature could hardly
be imagined Scarcely taller than
child Of ten, but with an cxquisitely
rounded figure, perfect hands, and feet
that the slippers Of Cinderella might have
fitted Her features were irregt lar, and
not pretty, but the fair brow, under its
bands of soft hair, had charm beyond
prettiness, and the large violet eyes, with
their long lashes were beautiful beyond
the power of words to express.
had some curiosity to see what effect
would be produced upon my family by the
int, oduction Of this new element. Had |
not known my friends purity and sweet
ness, might have felt some anxiety. rs
it was | bad none, and gave myself unre-
servedy to the enjoyment OF this expert
ment Of spiritual chemistry.
NV friends arrival had been expected
with no little interest, and there was Wis
ible stir as she took her place beside me
for the first time, in the long dining room.
She seemed altogether unconscious of the
interest she excited, and before the meal
was over had established comfortable rela-
tions between herself and the little boys
who sat near her.
| would like to have any one who
doubts the propriety of educating boys and
girls together, witness an experiment like
that which was then tried under my eyes,
the influence of a single young girl upon
housefu of noisy, opinionated and positive
boys. The softening of asperties, the i'm
provement IN dress and manners, the grad
ual developing of considerateness and true
courtesy. And this change was not con-
fined to few individuals, but like subtle
leaven quickened the whole mass, and
made the daily life of the family more
beautiful, and better worth living.
1t would be difficult to define the secret
of her influence. 1t began to be felt on
the day of her arrival, and it increased
steadily until the day she left.
| have said that she was not beautiful,
neither was she brilliant or scholarly. and
she was as free from coquettish arts as
saint or a madonna but she was one Of
the most perfect embodiments Of pure
womanliness that have ever known. Her
dress was always simple, but of the finest
material and most exquisite finish. 1t
expressed and was part Of her, aud, like
everything belonging to her, was charac-
terized by the most unsullied purity, the
most refined taste.
Predestined to feeble health, almost GER
tain of an early death, she resigned the
hopes and anticipations that make the hca-
ven of young girls dreams. bravely ac-
cepting the present, living out Of herself,
and contributing to the happiness of all
she met. How she came by the name Of
Robin, | doubt if any one could tell. 1t
became a part of her shortly after she
came to us, and we soon ceased to think of
her by any other name. To the domestics
and the little boys, she was q Miss Robin"
to the rest OF US, simply Robin. Welcome
always and everywhere, as the first robin
of spring. The shadow upon her future
never seemed to darken her present, but