Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1874-04-15
The Snow Angel.
BY +. d. CALLAwAX.

TIE moon, rising over the snowman
tied town of Brattcboro, Vt, flooded all
the streets with mellow light. Doubtless
Jack Frost had some unusual fine pictures
to execute with his silver pencil, and had
equtsted her ladyship to shine brightly.
There was another artist, besides Jack
Frost, at work in Brattleboro that night,
and worry grateful was he for the moons
bright shining. This was little Larkin
Meade. who after the town was fast
asleep had crept nolselessly from his room
and out into the street 10 work on a snow,
figure. His heart was so full of bright,
beautiful thoughts, he did not feel the
cold as his little red hands hcarcd .ogCth-
CT the snow, and shaped it to suit his fan.
cy. .. ......
The moon might we'll have shone that
night, if only to light up the face Of the
boy-artist, gazing up so proudly, raptur-
ously, at his work when finished for under
his hands the form of an angel had grown
out Of the sncw.
1t was rude to be SIRE, but there was
a holy beauty in the upturned face and
folded hands, majestic grace in the
weeping wings and howing raiment. that
betrayed the hand Of genius.
The house-tops were shining now like
silver the streets were sparkling as though
sprinkled with powdered pearls, and the
Angel of Snow shonc with lustrious splen-
dor in the moonlight. Larkin had seen
just such an angcl-face bending over HIM
in his dreams. As he gazed upon it, The
snowy form seemed to change into one Of
uuutterable radiance and beauty the
smiling lips seemed to part, and he fancied
he heard low, sweet voice, sweet as the
echo Of silver bells, thrilling his soul with
Joy.
"Dear child" the voice seemed to say,
''be glad l have opcued' for you the
Gate Beautiful, and through it you shall
be led to undreamcd Of heights of happi-
ness"
1t might have been the whisperings."
of unseen angels, or it might have been
only the wind stirring the icy branches of
neighboring trees, and echoing the long
lngs of his own heart.
The next moment the moon dropped
behind cloud and the radiance departed
A warning clock struck twelve, and the
young sculptor, started from his dream,
ran home, and stole in as nolsclcssly as he
had crept out.
Tho next morning, the good people Of
Bratteboro were amazed and delighted
by the sight Of a Snow Angel, standing
at corner Of two Of the large avenues
of the town. The children Aocked around
it in crowds, and it was the wonder of the
whole village until it melted away.
ln the meantime, it became whispered
about that this wonderful creation was
the work Of Larkin Meade, the SUI of
prominent lawyer Of Brattleboro. The
marvellous story was even talked of in
the papers. Iu this way it reached the
eye of good ole Mr.. Longworth, of Gin.
cinDatti. u man who loved to che ish M.
tive art, especially sculpture.
Now, what should the good man do,
but sit down and write TO the post.
master of Brattleboro, inquiring about
the young artist. Herring good account
of him. he wrote to LarkiD himself, tell.
ing him if he were really ambitious to be-
come a sculptor he would gladly lend him
helping hand. One of the rroudcst
moments IN Larkin's Life was when he
read the letter at home. 1t seemed as if
the Gate Beautiful had swung open sure
enough. and he gratefully excepted the
kiud, helping hand that was to lead him
through. .r g-faf
He studied his loved ait patiently and
earnestly. The first work he produced was
statue Of Ethan Allen, which is now
standing in the portico of the State house
at Montpelier. Since then be has studied
in Italy, and produced several works of
art. His Returned Soldier. or Story Of
the Battle " is the most famous. This is
a Union soldier With ii little girl upon his
knee, leaning upon his shoulder in child
like abandon, while he relates the story
of the war.
Little did Larkin Meade dream, as his
boyish hands modelled the Snow Angel
that moonlight night, so long ago, of the
honor he would one day receive from his
country. He has now been entrusted to
carve in enduring marble monument to
her martyred President, Lincoln. This
is q trust the greatest sculptor might feel
honored to receive.
Truly, little beginnings often lead to
great endipgs.