Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-04-09
Heart's-Ease.

A pretty little village, Nesting among the
great mountains that surrounded it on all
sides as If they would fain shelter it from
all outside cares and trouble; and very peace.
full indeed il looked, with the sunset glow
of Summer evening flinging its radiance
over vale and hill, and embracing the white
ness of the pretty little cottages that mainly
composed the village. Old and young seemed
alike to be enjoying the beauty Of the even
ing, as they gathered in groups or rested
quietly at their cottage doors. With one of
the latter tarried to speak few words in
admiration of the small hower-garde which
well knew was the pride and delight of
the old mans heart. " Did you ever see
finer pansies than these, ma'am ?" he said,
exultingly, as he gathered few and gave
them to me. Certainly never did, for
their rich dark beauty was only equalled by
their perfect formation and the soft, cream.
like shading petals.
"Pansies for thought" | said "they
suggest very peaceful ones, think"
"Don't you like the old English name for
'em best, ma'am Heart's-ease. Pears to
me like it fits 'em better. They alters seem
to thrive so contentedly in any out-of-the-
way corner you puts 'em in, so lowly too,
for all their being so much richer looking
lildll HihuN VI butll bdlltl utlRnOoios
Quaint as the old man was, was struck
by the force and truth of his remarks.
The melody of q happy, trustful voice
came floating out to us from an open win
dow, and he added, "There's our village
Heart's.ease singing now."
"What do you mean ?" | asked.
"Only neighbor of mine, ma am, a young
woman who has seen a deal of trouble, poor
thing; but she is so happy and peaceful that
the people round about here always call her
our Heart s-ease,' and go to her whenever
they are in trouble. They think it fits her
Just as it does the pansies."
A few days after | determined to make
the acquaintance of our Heart s-ease," and
made my way to the white cottage. Within
a covered porch found Alice Fern sitting
busiy sewing on little child's dress. As
looked upon the serene and peaceful face,
did not wonder at the name the villagers
had given. After little learned that she
was young widow, having lost her hus.
band, sailor, two years ago, just when she
was expecting him home. Since that time
she had been dependent on her own exertions
for supporting her invalid mother and her
little child. A baby had died year ago.
How much you have had to worry you,
| said.
"The blessings always came more thickly
than the troubles" she answered brightly.
"You have found the silver lining to the
cloud, then, expect"
"That is it, ma'am; | have been slow
learner, but God has at length taught me to
trust him in the dark as well as in the light
when / cannot see the way as much a:
when can"
"Aud you have found him faithful thai
promised 7" | asked. She looked up from
her work as if surprised that | should ask
such question.
81 have found him able to do exceeding
abundantly above all that can ask or think
for his faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds
No words of mine can tell what he has don,
for me-" she answered, simply.
al do not wonder now that your neigh
bors give you the name of Heart 's-ease,"
said smiling.
"They seem to wonder why am no
worried. and fretted, and anxious, as 81
many of them are. Poor things l wish
they would try my way"
"And what is your way?" asked.
| "Casting all your care upon him, for h,
careth for you when that is done, what i
there left to worry about? 2"
But people are not willing to do that"
| said.
al know it," she answered, "and ! wa
not once but have learned the better wa,
now, and it is such comfort that l want Il
get every one else to try it."
at does seem strange that people shoul,
be so willing to keep their burdens and thei
worries, when they might be so easily rid o
them ALL" remarked.
"That is what | tell them, ma'am.
they could only once realize the comfor
there is in leaving everything with him VIII
knoweth what things we have need o
before we ask him even, they would N
longer wonder at the heart's.ease it bring
to one"
"No, indeed, for the Lord is a stronghold
in the day of trouble, and he knoweth then
that trust in him, and underneath are tn
everlasting arms" and with these words
bid her farewell, feeling she was indeed on
who through deep waters had come into
fuller possession than many of the "peac
that passeth all understanding" the onl
sure foundation for the tranquility aud res
fulness of mind, which was too truly Heart,
ease. And having nothing to trouble her, b'
cause she had cast it all upon him, the Re
suit was
heart at leisure from itself
To soothe and sympathize. -Selectet