Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-01-29
The Orphans Home.

Home home sweet, sweet home
fhcrc suo place kc hQmc therusuo place Ike hcm.
These words, accompanied by the music
Of grand piano. hoated out on the night
air. They we're heard high above the wall
iug Of the wind aud those who went hur-
rying by, wrapped up in warm oyercoats
aud iurs, paused moment to see through
the lace-curiained windows Of q stately
mansion, room, warm aud beautiful, in
the center Of which a group Of young face,
we're gathered round a piano. They merely
glanced at this picture o moment, and then
vent on 20 their own homes. But there
was one IA homeless little wanderor) who
when her ear caught these sweet sounds,
paused aud listened long aud eagerly; then
She crept within the iron railing and chung
close TO the window, locking lougIug'y at
the picture Of warmth aud comfort there
None Of the happy group within saw the
white face with its wan features, shaded
by a mass Of raven hair and its large, hun
gry eyes looking in At their bright home
picture.
None Of the passers.by without noticed
that small, thinly .cad form ciinging TO the
window, regardless Of the bitter, cold winds
that played with her tattered garments and
ong, tangled hair. So, unseen aud uu-
noticed, the little orphan-ior such She
0as-lookcd around the warm, richIy-lUr-
uished room at the glowing Goals that
burned 10 the CRATE the pictures that hung
IN the walls the books and little nick.
nacks on the table, and, above all, at the
piano, on whose ivory keys a lady played,
while handsome, bearded mau was bend.
Jog over her with a happy smile, and
group Of children were gathered round,
oiniug their glad young voices in The song
she saug.
These children were scarcely older than
herself; but they were beautiful, aud she
thought, "Oh, so happy - She heard one
Of them call the sweet.lacod lady "moih-
er, aud wondered if she ever had a moth
er, too. Then came dim remembrance OF
a time long ago, when a sweet, sad face was
bending over her, and a voice low aud MI
steal sang her a lullaby.
Yes" thought she, Il had mother
once She was beautiful like that lady,
aud so good She told me there was
great and good God, who loved Us all, aud
little children best. Ii Cod loves me, why
lont he give me home-warm, bright
and beautiful like this-wih my mother
in it2 l would be so harry then--so very
happy
50 absorbed was She in her thoughts
aud longngs that she remained long after
the music had ceased, the goodnight ki-sa,
nad been exchanged, aud all within that
aarpy home were wrapped in their slum-
oers. She no longer felt the piercing cold /;
nor did she hear the great clock strike the
lour Of midnight. Her thoughts were far
away. She dreamed she was 10 a spacious
room, where everything was radiant with
a glory not Of earth. Around her were
beautiful forms, clad in shining vesture
rhey had golden harps in their hands, irou
whose strings they drew strains of living
music, while together their voices sang:
Home hume sweet, sweet home.r
As she looked in bewilderment at then
all, one Of the shining band, whose face had
llten come to her in her dreams, approach.
cd, and bending over her, said tendcrly:
My child, AIN your mother, aud tdi
! is your home"
Then, with a glad cry, she sank down
iuto what she thought was her mother
d arms, and felt at rest.
f The next morning when the sun rose Of
j. The great city, which for once looked pur
. and beautiful in its covering Of newly ial
j en- snow, those within that stately mansion
y twoke aud found near their parlor window
e The dead form of a child. The snow hu,
c covered her tattercd garments; it lorme,
= pillow for her head and it rested in he
e hair. But they looked in awe at her face
q as they tenderly raised her up; for ueve
q mad the face Of the dead worn such a peace
r tul, happy look. 1t seemed as if the gl
It spirit in parting, had left the impress O
e It's own heavenly joy on these outwar
) ineaments.
u They could not understood why an out
h cast and pauper could die so happily
le but they did not know it was because Go
q had granted her prayer, and given her
u home at last nor did they hear her voice
II as it aoated heayenward, joyously sing tn
u two lines Of that dear old song
j. Home home sweet, sweet home
~ rhercsno pacelik home there's place IKE HON
d Country Gentleman.