The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1879-02-07
THE MOTHERS PROPHECY.
BY MRS. JULIA c. II. DORR.
CHAPTER T.


of 179-. The tall pines that had climed to
the highest SUBMITS Of the Green Noun
tains, bent beneath the rushing of the blast ;
and as tho wind carecred among their
branches, gave out means and shrieks that
seemed in the darkness like the wailing of
weird spirits. Ever and anon the air would
be filled with tiny particles Of ice and
snow, and tho cold, ftful cleaning of the
moon, as it occasionally emerged from be-
hind cloud, only served to make the scene
more desoate, as the tall, gaunt shadows
were rendered distinctly visible.
But in the quiet littl valley that lay nests
ling at the very foot of one of the tallest
peaks, there were no traces of storm. The
strife of the elements disturbed not its re
pose, for the encircling mountains bent over
1T lovingly, and with their giant arms
seemed to ward off all dangers, and keep
back all foes that might harass this-the
pet lamb that rested in their embrace.
A single farmhouse, rudcly constructed
of logs, stood beneath the shadow of forest.
trees , and, indeed, but few of those ancient
dwellcrs in the valley had as yet bowed
their naughty heads at the stroke of the
woodman's axe. Every thing around the
little dwelling betokened that it was the
abode of one Of the hardy pioneers who
had left the sunny banks Of the Connecti-
cut for home amid the wilds CT Vermont.
But there was ruddy light cleaning from
the small window, that spoke invitingy of
peace and comfort within 1; and occasionally
the sound of woman's voice singing a low,
soft lullaby fell dreamily upon the ear or
rather, might have done so, had there been
an ear to listen.
In the principal apartment of the house
the one that served alike for kitchen and
parlor, sat Andrew Gordon and his fair
aud gentle wife-Amy. A bright-eyed boy,
apparently about four years DID, played
upon the niccly-sanded floor, and in the
mothers arms lay babe, very lovely, but
very fragile, upon whose face the eyes of
Amy Gordon dwclt with long, yearniug
gaze. Few words were spoken by the lit,
tie group. The husband and father sat
gazing thoughtfully upon the glowing en-.
bers; the wife rocked the child that was
Graded upon her breast and little Frede.
rick silently builded his "cob house." stop.
ping now and then to scan with pleased
eye the progress of his work, or utterina
IAN exclamation of disappointment as the
tottering fabric fell to the floor.
There was an air of refinement about the
master and mistress of that little domicil
that contrasted somewhat strangely with
their rude home and its appurtenances.
The dress Of the wife, although coarse and
plain, was arranged so tastefully, SO genteely,
as the young ladies of the present day would
say, that you would scarcely have no.
ted its texture, or the absence of Or
nament. Her slight figure, and the faint
color upon her cheek, spoke of deli
cacy of constitution hardly suited for the
hardships and trials of an emigrant's life !;
but the meek light within her eye, her
calm, broad forehead, and the slight emile
that fingered upon her lip, told that she
possessed that truest of all strength
strength Of mind and heart.
There was something in the face of An.
drew Gordon that, to a close observer, was
not exactly pleasing; and yet you could not
have denied that it was a very handsome
face-quite sufficiently SO to warrant the
unmistakable look Of admiration that his
wife occasionally cast upon it. Intellect
was there-courage was there-frmness of
purpose, and resolute will; and there was
a depth of affection in his eye whenever it
dwelt upon the group around him that
proved him the possessor of a kindly heart.
Perhaps it was some early disappointment
some real or fancied wrong-some never
tobe-forgctten act of harshness or injustice
on tho part Of another that, once in while,
cast such shadow over his fine face, and