Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1874-03-21


radiant. A bluer sky never bent over the pur-
pie hills and blooming wales Of France.
Louise threw open her easement aud leaned
out 70 breathe the fresh morning air, fragrant
from kissing rain-awabcnoi flowers" Sec
ing her father in the garden, she ran down to
him to say good morning, and ioin him IN bis
walk. He smiled as he took her hand, and
asked her if she could sing a song which would
match that Of the lark, for the lark was soar
ing and carolius in the blue heavens.
Louise looked mp and listened rspiurously
for few moments to the blithe music falling
upon her with the sunshine; then, as if her
heart echoed the ecstacy of the heavenly min
strel, she caroled out this Joyous little song:
~ have 10 wings to fly, birdie,
To soar ike thee on high
So far and free,
But my song shall rise, birdie,
Above the sunny skies
Tri la tri-le! tri-le!
awe both viii sing Of love, birdie,
on earth. aud thou above,
Songs Of clee.
The angels all will hear, birdie,
Our song 20 Joyous, clear.
Tri-la! tri-le! tri-le"
"The lark could not do better than that
daughter" said the f,thec kissing her with
pride
The mail now arrived, and Louise, although
wild hope was beating madly 10 her breast,
dared not trust herself to watch her father as
he opened his letters aad papers; so she stroll
ed on alone over the lawn skirting a park
Dreamiy she watched the golden clouds float
ing la1;ly through the blue above her, and
commenced to build belu,ifal air-casi,es, for
this was a ayorite pasiime Of hers. In after
years, when she became great lady, She said
to Napoleon once:
DO you never bui'l castles in The air, Cen
oral? Do you never 60 and dwell in them
Do You never dream to charm away the monot-
ouy Of lifo2"
"No. madame. said be, "I leave dreams 81
sleep and retain reason for my waking hours
"Thon,' said Louise, "you can never be ei-
ther amused or surprised"
Presently she was called into the breakfast
room. where she found her father and mother
i9yfuliy talking over some very good news
II seenei that an anonymous article had ap-
peared in one Of 'he morning journals warmly
defending Neckor, Indignantly reciiing bis
wrongs. enl in beautiful aud passionate words
.
Louise changed color as her father COM
mencel to read the article aloud. Neckcr
paused once or twice as though in surprise,
but it was not until he had almost reached tbe
end. that be detected bis laughter style
Throwing the paper aside, he eycaimedi With
trembling voice:
Louise. my brave daughter, you are my
defender
"Cau it be true?' cried her mother, clasp
ing Louise in her arms, while tears Of Joy
sprang 20 her eyes.
Louise could scarcely answer for weeping.
Oh that was a glad morning for the Necker
family. Well might her parents feel proud Of
Louise. Her eloquent defense struck even Der
fathers enemies with shame TIE people
loved Necker more than ever before. His
daughter had struck mightier blows with her
pen than a seaerd could have done with bis
army
Louise Germaiuc Neckcr is now known az
Madame De Stael, great ard wire woman
who loved freedom and stirred the hearts Of
hc- countrymen with her 9wn heroic patriot
ism. Napoleon feared her burning eIoqpanee
and the power Of her pen more than the armed
hosts Of his enemies.
From a girl, she loved to talk Of The won
ders aud beauties Of nature, anl the immortal
ity Of the soul, and she has lef, France and the
world a rich inheritance in her works, 90 foil
Of beautiful and sublime thoughts-ihoughts
which will "roIl on from soul to soul. forever.