Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-02-05
Under q Cloud.

She was in deep sorrow, refusing all com
fort. Heavy clouds were in her sky-black
clouds through which not ray of sunshine
penetrated.
"Never," answered the friend, while a
shade caught from Mrs. Loring's counte-
nance fitted across her own face. "Who
can she be ?"
"Didn't you recognize her ?"
"No. The countenance was, to me, that
of stranger"
al can hardly wonder that it should be
So" said the friend, "for she is sadly
changed. That was poor Mrs Loring, who
lost her two children last winter from scar
let fever"
"Mrs. Loringl" The lady might well
look surprised. Sorrow has, indeed, done
a fearful work there. But is it right thus
TO sit under a cloud right thus to oppose
no strong barrier to the waters of aiiliction
that go sweeping over the soul, marring all
its beauty ?"
at is not right" was answered "The
heart that thus sits in darkness, brooding
over its loss, SORROWS with selfish sorrow.
The clouds that shut out the sun are ex-
halations from its own stagnant surface.
1t makes the all-pervading gloom by which
it is surrounded. l pity Mrs. Loring, un-
happy sufferer that she is but my pity for
her is always mingled with desire to speak
sharp, rebuking words, in the hope to agi-
tate the slumberous atmosphere, in which
she is enveloped like a shroud."
al WONDER" remarked the other, "that
her husband permits her to brood so long in
idle grief over the inevitable"
Husbands" was replied, "have often the
OF lttta tt,ftp ha,r ttrt,
when bowed with affiiction. Some men
have no patience with displays of excessive
grief in woman, and are, therefore, more
ignorant than children in regard to its
treatment. Such man is Mr.. Loring. All
that he does or says, therefore, only deepens
the encompassing shadow. A wise, un-
selfish man, with mind to realize some
thing of his wife's true state, and heart to
sympathize with her, will always lead her
from beneath the clouds Of sorrow, upwards
to the cheerful heights upon which the sun
shine rests. If she shows unwillingness to
be led-if she court the shadows, and hide
in the gloom of her own dark repinings--he
does not become impatient. He loves her
with too unselish love for this. And SC
he brings light to her on his own counte
nance, the sunshine of even affected cheer
fulness that penetrates the murky atmos
phere in which she sits, and warns hel
heart with its genial radiance. Thus he
woos her with sunny CLEANS from the clear
sky that yet bends over her, that will make
all again bright and beautiful on the earth
of her spirit, if she will but lift herself
above the clouds. 1t is the misfortune Of
Mrs. Loring that she is not blessed with
such husband"
The subject of this conversation had, OF
that morning, yielded to the solicitations o
one of her nearest friends, and with grea
reluctance consented to go out with her il
her carriage.
81 shall be much better at home," she OBJ
jected, to the urgent appeals of her friend
" This quite suits me. The stiffness of m,
own chamber accords best with my feelings
The glare and hustle of the busy streets will
only disturb me deeper. | know it is kind
ness in you, but it is a mistaken kindness.
To reason with her would have been use
less, and 50 reason was not attempted.
81 have come prepared to hear no oh
jections," was the firm answer. "The docto
says that you are injuring your health, an
must go odt So get yourself ready"
Health-life even What are they +
me have nothing to live for !" was tn
gloomy response. "Come quickly the tim
when | shall lay me down and sleep i
peace"
"a woman, and nothing to live for On
of Gods intelligent creatures, and nothin
to live forl'
There was so much Of rebuke in the ton
with which this was uttered, that Mrs. Lol
ing was partially aroused thereby.
"Comel Let us see whether there be nc
something to live for. Come you must 6
with me this morning"
So decisive was the lady's manner-so in
pelling the action OF the will-that Mrs. Lo
ing found herself unable to resist, and 81
with reluctance that was not concealed
she made her preparations to go out.
due time she was ready, and descendin
with her friend, took seat in her carriag
and was driven away. Houses, trees, pull
lie buildings swept, like moving panorami
before her eyes, and though familiar object
glassed themselves therein, they failed I
awaken the slightest interest. The sky wa
clear, and the bright sunshine lay ever,
where but her heart still sat under clou,
and folded around itself gloom for a ma
tie. Her friend talked to her calling h,
attention every little while TO some new pa
ace-home, or to some glimpse of rural beaui
which the eye caught far in the distanc
But all was vain the mourner's slender for
still shrunk back amongst the cushions, al
her face wore its saddest aspect
Suddenly the carriage drew up before
neat looking house of moderate size, with
plat of ground in 'front.' wherein was a We
dant square and borders of wel-tended flo
ers. Ere Mrs. Loring had time to ask
question the coachman was at the door.
"Why do you stop here ?" she inquired
al wish TO make brief call. Com
You must go in with me-"
Mrs. Loring shook her head in positi
way, and said No " still more positively.
"You will meet no light votary of fashi,
here, my friend" said the lady, Z" but o
who has suffered like yourself. Come /"
But Mrs. Loring shrunk farther back
the carriage.
at is now only three months since s.
followed to their mortal resting-place I,
precious little ones, the last of her flock, thi
scarcely year ago, numbered four. ! wa
you to meet her. Sisters in sorrow, "
cannot but feel drawn towards each 9th
by cords of sympathy"
Mrs. Loring shook her head Imperative
"No-no ] do not wish to see her.
have grief enough of my own, without sh,
ing in that of others. Why did you bril-
me here Z" There was something like ang
in the voice of Mrs Loring,
"Six months, nearly, have passed sin
God took your children to himself, and .iu
that softens grief, has brought TO you
least some healing leaves, The friend | wi
to vista friend in humble life-is sorro
ing with as deep a sorrow, that is yet b
three months old. Have you no word
speak TO her Can you not, at least, ming
tear with her tears 1t may do you DO
good. But do not wish to urge a self
reason. Bear up, with womanly fortituC
under your own sorrow, and seek TO heal b
sorrow of sister, over whose heart are p,
sing the same waters of afiliction. Con
my friend 7"
Mrs. Loring, so strongly urged, stepp
out upon the pavement. She did so with
reluctance that was almost unconquerab
o how earnestly she wished herself ba,
again in the shadowy solitude of her ov
home.
"Is Mrs. Adrian at home ?" was inquir
of the tidy girl, who came to the door. I'll
answer being in the affirmative, the ladi
| eutered and ware shnwn into a small n