Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-11-19
Written for the Vermont Waterman
The Cinderella OF the Sea.


II was wild night The rain fell in tor
rents, and the thunder and lightning were
fearful to hear and see. The earth seemed
to rock under the fury of the storm, while
the wind shrieked and shouted and walled
by turns.
In the lower part of New York city that
night there walked small girl who had no
home, no shelter. Orphaned at two years
Of age, she had lived with an aunt who
was poor, and had many children and
many trials. Her aunt's home had been 10
country village until a few days before,
she had moved into one of the lowest wards
of the great city, quarter full of vice. Can
hope or love or tenderness be still alive in
the breast Of one so roughly dealt with, or
do rude, cruel words at last choke out all
such feelings? This little wanderers face
was an index of despair; there was no cour-
age, no hope there. The best of that face
had died or was asleep. She crawled into
shed for this night She could never go
back to her aunt's house. She had left her
and started out for life. This she said to
herself over and over again, as she lay on
the bare floor, till at last, in spite of cold and
loneliness, she slept the deep, sweet sleep OF
childhood. The morning brought a new
peace upon the earth, spreading its warm,
bright sunshine over everything, and inspir-
ing fresh hope in the heart of the young aud
strong. Anne awoke and started out again.
Rested by her long sleep. her step was light
and her heart young in spite of her hard lot.
Down the street she went, closer and closer
to the water. Not knowing where to go, one
way was to her as good as another. She
stood long time gazing into the sea, and,
as she lifted her wondering eyes to the beau
tiful ship which lay at the foot of the street,
she partly walked and was partly pushed
and carried by the crowd over the gang
plank, and on with the hurrying waves of
men and women, up the steps and across the
deck of great steamer.
The little face grew young and glad I'M
der the vision. She heard great noises and
loud voices, and watched the white waves
dashing almost to her side. She liked to
listen to the creaking of ropes and the rat
Ting Of chains aid the rushing about of the
people. All this only filled her heart with
fresh delight and wonder, so that hope and
beauty were fast replacing the yesterday s
despair.
| Such eyes are seldom seen. They were
dark blue, but it was not their color that at
trscted notice. Something in their expires.
sion made them seem more wonderful than
Ill other blue eyes. As she leans over the
ships edge and looks down we can see only
the large, sleepy lids, fringed with lashes
long and dark.
The small girl seems to feel quite at home
here. No one among the busy crowd stops
TO speak to her but she would wonder at
such thing. She is not used to kind words
from stranger or friend, and so does not
miss them. She stands with quiet, restful
air, as if her haven were reached at last
md she were at rest. No princess within
palace walls ever felt more at home than
our little penniless outcast. At last after
| lnC UP ndu DcCh way oouiO hou'oy q
kind-looking gentleman noticed her, and
stopped to watch her. After little he
made up his mind she was alone, and step
ping up to her gently said: 4" Are you alone
little girl ?"
"Oh yes" she answered, "all alone in the
world but don't care, now l am here. II
my aunt could find me she would beat
me, but I've run away from her forever. !
came with all the rest to this beautiful ship
and now it is floating away. | shall stay
here always, like it so well. Do you live
here 2"
The radiant look in her happy eyes drew
the attention of all who were near enough
to overhear her artess words. No one looked
at the ragged skirt and worn-out shoes, OF
at the torn and dirty hat by her side. Thu
loosened hair was tossed wildly about b.
the breeze, and left the broad white brow Il
face the worlds welcome or scorn. She hat
stepped from her wretched substitute for
home into the very midst of fashionable
world, as unconsciously as the newborn
babe from ats past to our present"
The gentleman replied; "Not exactly
my little girl; shall live here for awhile
and so will you. Bgt soon we shall all stop
then we will have to get out and live some
where else." "This looks as if it might b
Gods house; is it ?" she asked in simple
innocent way that betokened no idle curiosity
for her eyes had never gazsd on any hous'
!. like this nor in her widest dreams had sh
imagined the splendor of this highly decora
ted ship, and the exquisite blending of tint
before unknown to her. "No more tina
everything is his" was the reply. Am
seemed to feel now that the many strang
people were looking aud listening so sh
. sat down, silent but not sad. Groups sa
and stood about, many talking of the sell
invited passenger. Two young men stoo
apart, not far off. Said one of them Wei
Paul, did you bargain for this Cinderella il
the ticket, or is she thrown in ?" Throw
in by herself, certainly, and she is far NOR
beautiful and attractive than the one W
I read Of" "Have you the glass slippe
! Paul and shall you try it on p 81 woul
If could, Arthur" gaily answered Pau
"for being so fresh and so natural deligh
me-" "But, Paul, what seems fresh in hi
now will soon seem green to you, if she is Il
III alone. Would you leave her uneducated
ain society manners, l would throw he
under the influence of good minds an
hearts, and let her take her chance for maj
ners," was Paul's reply. "Well, If you wi
produce the magic slipper, aud have courae
u to try it on, and find it fits, will give N
y consent, and who knows but it may be OF
: ships adventure" "Just don't disturb you
self, old fellow | shall not meddle," sa
Paul. " She will fall into the captains hand
He is jolly good fellow and won't thro
her overheard"
And the two young men walked away.
CHAPTER II.
Swiftly now the steamer cuts it WI
through the waves all traces of her passaI
vanishing as quickly and as complete
. from the waters, as from the surface OF h
...., aoo;aty 40 tha livaa Of oraat man 1,,,,