MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER: AN AGRICULTURAL AND FAMILY NEWSPAPER. 
141 
THE SPRING SONG, 
Winter, winter is hurrying away, 
There's a leaf on the briar and a bird on the tree, 
The butterfly flits in the noontide ray, 
And the furze hath Spread i s flowers for the bee; 
The lark ventures up in the pearly sky, 
The almond bloom shows i s faint blush to the sun, 
A wandering swallow here dares to fly, 
The jolly young spring his kingdom hath won! 
Winter, winter is hurrying away 1 
Winter, winter will still remain, 
There’s a frost on the grass and a blight on the flower, 
And the beetle is locked in the earth again, 
And the sheep gather close in the morning shower; 
The thrush is silent that sang before, 
The violet shrinks to her leafy nest, 
The mountain runnels in torrents roar, 
The pale spring hides in old winter’s breast! 
Winter, winter will still remain! 
Winter, winter is over and gone, 
There’s a dew on the lily, a scent in the rose, 
And the moth is out in the sunny morn, 
And he May-fly dies in the daylight’s close ; 
The stock-dove is building in many a bower, 
The trees and the insects breathe again; 
There’s a charm in the day and a joy in the hour, 
The steadfast spring hath fixed his reign. 
Winter, winter is over and gone 1 
Hard fSluti'l; Hook. 
THE FOOL OF LABOODIE: 
OR, THE UNION OF HAND AND HEART. 
Some people are all hand, and some are 
all heart. The lirst do, and the other feel. 
Tiie one is always at work—laboring, crea¬ 
ting, producing—the other spends his life in 
deploring the miseries ol humanity, its suf¬ 
ferings, its wrongs; but there he stops.— 
The same in private life—a man of hand 
supports his family, gives them good beef 
associating as a student with the upper clas- Mmo. do Lastange sighed, and turned 
se3 of society was pleasant and agreeable, away, but she studiously avoided letting 
He went to public lectures; read hard; and Ernest notico her annoyance; still, when 
in the evenings he visited one or two salons, the friends were together, she looked annoy- 
which were freely opened to him on the roc- cd, and almost began to agreo with those 
ommendations of M. Benoit. who supposed Louise to have some secret 
He found this way of passing liis time object in encouraging the medicine student, 
vastly agreeable. He liked the conversa- “Where do you intend settling on the 
tion of ladies; for they, as ho abstained from completion of your studies?” asked Louise, 
politics, sympathized with his views, approv- 0 ne evening. 
fixed on the ground, in deep meditation, to judge from appearances. I had only 
until ho was suddenly aroused by a loud heard a description of you under that namo, 
voice. from an old servant, whose gossips I have 
“Hallo there! Monsieur Ernest, I want sufficiently punished for retailing.” 
to speak with you,” said the very old farmer “ But my son,” cried the amazed mother, 
whom he had first made an attempt upon “ what is the meaning of all this ?” 
nearly two years ago. 
“My dear madame, that we are to be 
ed of his humanitarian principles, and prov¬ 
ed always an attentive audience. One eve¬ 
ning he was speaking of agricultural im- 
“ In Paris, or some other large town,” re¬ 
plied Ernest. 
“ In town! I thought you preferred eoun- 
provernentsinto the country—when a young try life,” continued she, as if somewhat dis- 
girl joined in the debate. appointed. 
“ Oh, monsieur,” she cried warmly “ I am “ I did once, but I have changed my mind, 
happy to meet with some one ot my way I originally intended devoting myself to ag- 
of thinking. I lived in a country district riculture; but now I have a profession, 1 
which is very much behind the age, and prefer living in cities.” 
having been some years in England, which 
enjoys such a vast superiority in this partic¬ 
ular over any other part of the world, I am 
deeply anxious to see the examplo of our 
neighbors followed.” 
Ernest was delighted, and after a few min¬ 
utes he addressed his whole conversation to 
Mile. Louise de Rcdonte. lie found her to 
his astonishment learned in all farming de¬ 
tails. though a year younger than himself: 
aware of more improvements in machinery 
than ho had ever known of; and deeply 
“ But why?” 
“ In the first place, to live in the country 
I should require a wife; but I despair of 
finding one, suited to me,” replied Ernest, 
unaffectedly. 
“But what sort of a wife should you like?” 
asked Louise, looking at him curiously. 
“May I tell you?” said ho, timidly, look¬ 
ing up at her like a child at his mother when 
asking a favor. Of course ho was allowed 
to speak his mind; and, need we add, there 
was in almost no time a thorough mutual 
conversant with all that was necessai} to the understanding. Mademoiselle was a French 
comfort and well bomg ot both men and woman and, as such, was not burdened with 
animals employed in agriculture. Before Hifficlenee 
the end of the evening Ernest "as in love. Next evening it was generally known that 
A F rench novelist would tell us that he had Ernest Delavigno and Louise do lledontc 
met his destiny. At all events, he consid¬ 
ered himself fortunate to have fallen in with 
so charming a person, who joined in great 
beauty and accomplishment a taste for his 
favorite subjects of thought and talk. 
Ernest and Louise met continually, and 
each day they renewed their intimacy.— 
They talked together, they danced together, 
and before the end of three months the 
young man scarcely missed an evening at 
were affianced, to the great consternation of 
all fortune hunters, and the great joy of all 
those who sympathized with truthful feeling, 
and sincere affection. But the salons of 
Mmo. de Lastange were no longer crowded; 
the host of interested suitors vanished. 
“Do you know,” said Louise one evening 
as they were talking of the future, “ that I 
mean to make a regular patriarch of you? 
I have determined to introduce among all 
and mutton, dresses them well, and proves the house ofMme.de Lastange, where she m y farmers and their neighbors the latest 
that ho loves them by making them happy; resided when m town. 1 eople at last began improvements, and to give them the benefit 
the man of heart feels intensely if they are to insinuate to the old lady, that the friend- 0 f ;l ]| t q ie agricultural discoveries of England 
sick, has tears for the slightest ill that hap- shl P of the young people was rather warmer and France .” 
pens, deplores their want of luxuries and than should properly exist between a student “ It is useless making such attempts,” re- 
improvements, and to give them the benefit 
of all the agricultural discoveries of England 
pens, deplores their want of luxuries and than should properly exist between a student 
necessaries, sits by his chimney corner and °* medicine and a rich heiress, 
talks, but does nothing—proving, after all, A few days after this Ernest missed 
that lie loves but himself, lie is the most Mile. Louise do Redonte from the evenings 
amiable man in the world, a general favor- of Mine, de Lastange, who, without the least | Fool of Laboudie.” 
oi mcuicine anu a lien neuesb. plied Ernest, gravely;“ you will only loso 
A lew days after this Ernest missed your temper and your time.” 
Mile. Louise do Redonte from the evenings ‘ “ Monsieur! Why you are as bad as the 
ito n society, and outwardly an affoctionato change in her manner towards him, inform- 
father and husband; but his children are 
half starved, and his wife goes about in an 
ed him that she was gone to the country to 
her uncle, where indeed she spent the great- 
“ Hah!” said Ernest, turning very pale. 
“Why,” continued the merry girl, without 
noticing his uneasiness, “you must know 
old gown, which the man of hand’s wife er part of the year. She was a kind heart- that my castle is close to Laboudie. My 
would give away to sotno beggar to whom it ed woman, and by this separation simply uncle was the Count de Plouvieres.” 
would be useful and welcome. Not that we wished to spare both the pain which she “ Oh!” replied Ernest, 
object to heart, far from it. A man cannot thought must ensue it their affections be- “Well, there came from a neighboring 
have too much feeling, if he allies it with his came engaged. Ernest lelt very dull: the town, some two years back, a young man 
head to conceive, and the hand to execute, charm ot the soirees was gone. He did not belonging to our place, who had studied ag- 
A man wholly without heart is a monster; cease to go, however, because it was proba- riculture, and who desired, it appears, to ro- 
and the great detect of Napoleon’s charac- ble that he might again sec her there, but form the neighborhood. Instead of intro- 
tor was, that with a mighty head and stu- His visits became less frequent, and thus the ducing the change himself, however, he tried 
pendous hand, lie had scarcoly any heart.— season ended. to persuade others to do so; told the igno- 
ft is the union of hand and heart, with a During the last summer months that en- rant farmers af-what they might do, but did 
head to guide both, which makes a tn^n a sued Ernest 'continued the study of his pro- not attempt;^ <>emonstrato his theories.— 
useful member of society, . fossion. He wrote to his mother that ho Peoplo naturally enough laughed at his lec- 
Ernest Delavigno was the only child of a should not conic that year to the country, tures—his disquisitions especially; as I am 
widow. IIis father had been a superior far- becauso his disgust at his neighbors was so told ho had land himself, and never thought 
mer of considerable property, and had died great he could not bear to meet with thorn, o: trying the sensible experiment of show¬ 
leaving the land to his wife and son. But Besides he wished to continue his studies, ing his neighbors by practice the advantages 
Ernest, though fond of the country, aspired which would suffer by interruption. But he believed, but did not know to exist.— 
to bo something better than the peasantry ho did not devote himself to his books Such well meaning men are worse than use- 
around him. lie lived in a part of France with half the same zest with which he had less; they stand more in the way of real pro- 
whoro ignorance prevailed over knowledge; begun. IIis thoughts were far away in the gross than the most obstinate devotee of 
where bad roads and impenetrable bogs re- country region, wherever it was, whero antiquity; they are mere sentimental, and* 
tarded the progress of civilization; and where Louise resided, and lie thought the summer not practical reformers. But why so gloomy, 
the people were in that happy state of igno- would never end. To distract his attention, Ernest? Surely, I have not offended you? 
“What is itr’ replied young Delavigno, married, according to previous agreement, 
raising his head a little haughtily. “What to-morrow three weeks,” said Louise, taking 
can you have to say to the Fool of Laboudie?” her hand, “and that my husband is about 
“Sir!” cried the other, as they approach- to completo the work which I have so im- 
ed each other; “I beg your pardon, and wo perfectly begun.” 
all beg your pardon. But do you not see The whole affair was the most off-hand 
wo did not understand your fine talk?—and thing imaginable. The marriage of these 
we could not believe what we didn’t see.— two clever people—each clever in a partic- 
But then Mile. Louise, our guardian angel, ular way, the very difference of character 
had just finished her model farm, and there being useful—created little surprise. Pre- 
she had all the improvements of which you vious to the old revolution, M. do Lavigno 
told us. Well, when we saw that really —a name Ernest assumed, now ho held a 
there woro better ways than wo knew of, social position which ceased to make the 
you see we agreed to try, and I’vo bought a aristocatic de assuming—had held nearly as 
new plow—hero it is—and its a little out of high a position as the Count de Plouvieres. 
order, and it’s just to ask your advice about But he had not emigrated—preferring to 
mending it that I callod you.” fall into the position of a farmer, to a wani- 
“ With pleasure,” replied Ernest, who had dering exile in a foreign land. At the rws- 
listencd to the other’s words with deep toration, his property, sold during the two 
interest. “Oh, it’s nothing; a couple of years he passed in prison as a suspect, re¬ 
nails and a screw is all that’s wanted.” mainod in the hands of the ward purchaser. 
Half an hour later the defect was remo- But he had still a respectable estate, if ho 
died, and tho two were at breakfast togeth- formed it himself, and ho continued to do 
er. Tho old man said that if Ernest would so ’■> anB Monsieur Delavigno, despite its 
now open his lectures they would bo well P lebian lof)k - was quite as happy as lie had 
attended of an evening; and if confined to been when M. do Lavigno. But his son for 
descriptions referring to tho things the far- the sake ol his right, again took the name, 
mers began to understand, would continue to which he modestly avoided allusion, urt.l 
so. The young man replied that he would a b ' v uays before their marriage, 
make himself acquainted with what had And now it was difficult to say which 
been done, and would deliver his first lec- was the hand and which was the heart.— 
turo on the following Sunday—tho only day Ernest had learned that mere personal sym- 
wlicn a rural population in France, could paliiy with the ignorance or mysery of our 
bo collected together'for such a purpose.— fellow creatures is of litt-lo use, if we do not 
Next day Ernest visited the model farm of raise our hands and arms to do something; 
tho Chateau do Plouvieres. lie found a and that the true friends of humanity are 
considerable tract of land under cultivation, those who do their utmost to diffuse knowl- 
The head was an Englishman, who had re- edge, to widen the circle of man’s utility, 
sided some years in Normandy, and his as- and who by their example and practice lead 
sistants were French. Ho had, moreover, the march of civilization. Every man may 
fourteen pupils, sons of neighboring far- thus do his part in the great work of human 
mers. progress. All that is wanted is the will to 
Mr. Wilson informed Ernest that it was bo useful, 
only the powerful influence of tho Count Ernest and Louise do Lavigno were a 
de Plouvieres, and tho affection of the peo- blessing to the whole country round. Sim¬ 
ple for Louiso, his niece, which had enabled ling meadows, neat houses, productive fields, 
him to obtain their youth to bring up in im- healthy peasantry, and the absence of any 
proved notions. But now, ho said, all went glaring cases of poverty, considerable eleva- 
along easily. The farmers and their fami- tion of mind above that which is the ordi- 
lies felt and saw the great benefits which nary lot of agricultural laborers, arc tho 
lay within their grasp, and, as their patrons practical results of this happy disposition 
gavo them facilities for paying for all their of mind, which makes the richest proprie- 
new instruments by instalments, few refused taire of Laboudie consider all around him 
to avail themselves of the opportunity. On as children, to whom ho owes a fair share of 
feto days and holidays the whole neighbor- his time and thoughts. They are intensely 
hood camo to tho model farm, to amuse beloved, and there are many yet unborn, 
themselves by looking around; and a change who will livo to bless tho pleasing union 
he said, was already perceptible. One house in Ernest and Louise of the Hand and tho 
TIIE DYING BOY AND THE VIOLETS. 
which had been burnt down close by, had Heart .—Edinburgh Journal. 
been rebuilt upon now principles with re- _ r - 
gard to comfort and cleanliness, and all were THE DYING BOY AND THE VIOLETS. 
anxious to follow tho example. - 
Ernest was more than ever convinced of Beautiful flowers! why are they not in 
the wisdom of the practical course adopted every home? There is no dwelling into 
by the Count de Plouvieres and Louise de j which some ray of sunshine does iiot enter. 
Redonte. Ho saw clearly that if we would 
induce men to believe in our precepts, we 
Tho earth is cheap; the little one may want 
can bo had for asking; and surely there 
ing his neighbors by practice the advantages must practice them ourselves, and that one are some in a family with sufficient ingenui- 
he believed, but did not know to exist.— example is worth a hundred expositions.— ty, be it ever so untutored, as to nail togeth- 
Suoh .veil meaning men are worse than use- Ho went away filled with admiration at the er a few rough boards, and make a box tor 
less; they stand more in tho way of real pro- nobility of character, the sound sense and tho smiling daisies or the red-lipped rose, 
gress than tho most obstinato devotee of wisdom of tho young reformer, and with It is a pleasure, as the toiling daino busies 
antiquity; they are mere sentimental, and* his heart doubly imbued with love for tho herself with her arduous duties, to see, in 
tho peoplo woro in that happy state of igno- would never end. I o distract his attention, Ernest? Surely, I have not offended you? 
ranee which preva led ovor most parts of he varied his reading, adding novels, poetry, I see you aro a little unwell. Good night. 
Europe somo two hundred years ago; whero and history to his scientific books; and thus Go homo to bed, and tell your old cunceirge 
agriculture cost twice tho labor and gave with many a yawn, and many a longing, and to make you some tisane. It will soon bo 
half tho returns which it afforded to the many a weary hour, the time passed, and my office to take care of monsieur when he 
more enlightened; and whero no one had when tho salon of Mme. de Lastange again thinks proper to be ill.” 
ever yet attempted to penetrate tho crust opened, Ernest presented himself the very Ernest took her proffered hand, shook it 
of barbarism which goncrally prevailed.— first evening. oven more heartilv than usual and went 
Ernest had been educated at a town-school, Louiso do Redonte was there, more love- away. It was early; just before midnight, 
and when a young man completed his edu- ty thau over; and she welcomed the young a nd'as tho other guests were about to de¬ 
cation at a provincial col logo. Though ac- man, as ho eagerly advanced to greet her, t t he bonne of Mme. de Lastange gave a 
quiring all the general knowledge which was with a smile, which filled him with rapture. letter t0 Louise, who alone, in a little bou- 
conveyed by the professors, he devoted him- Mme. do Lastange looked on in some alarm. (loir w i lcro s j 10 had retired, sinco none but 
self particularly to chemistry as applied to Louise was in mourning; she had lost her card-players remained, at once opened and 
agriculture, and to tho formation of now uncle nearly six months, and she was rich rea( j ifc 
agricultural instruments. He returned hi tho extreme. Sho was surrounded at “ I write not in anger but in deep sorrow, 
home at twenty-ono full of magnificent pro- onco by a perfect host of suitors, but sho i i OV e you too much "to expose you to a life 
jeets. lie would effect a revolution in tho g avo encouragement to none. Ernest still m i ser y You have expressed too much 
land; he would open a course of lectures; continued her favoiite companion, to tho contempt for persons of my character, not 
he would teach thorn tho advantages of all great annoyance of the mass of young mon to bo v unhappy when you know me bet- 
tho new instruments of draining, of manur- about town, wno would have been delighted t r you will doubtless find however one 
ing, and above all, ho would effect a com- to have given her their name, and to have ^ wth of ^ °j Z{{ ^ after that se- 
plote alteration in the dwellings—close, dir- spent her hundred thousand francs of annual V ero hut iust lesson which I have now re¬ 
self particularly to chemistry as applied to 
agriculture, and to tho formation of now 
agricultural instruments. Ho returned 
homo at twenty-one full of magnificent pro- 
Louise was in mourning; sho had lost her 
uncle nearly six months, and sho was rich 
in the extreme. Sho was surrounded at 
ing, and above all, ho would effect a com 
ploto alteration in tho dwellings—close, dir 
ty, unwholosome, and comfortless now— income. Still no one looked upon the in¬ 
to be very unnappy when you know me bet¬ 
ter. You will, doubtless, find, however, one 
worthy of you. I shall seek, after that se¬ 
vere hut just lesson which I have now re¬ 
ceived, to win your esteem, now that your 
Admirable and praiseworthy notion was that timacy of Louise and Ernest as anything j 0ve j g ’ impossible Remember me kindlv 
of Ernest Delavigno. Wo shall see how ho likely to end seriously. The crowds of suit- if it be only because I have suffifoent sens^ 
carried it out. 
ors who filled the salons of Mme. de Las- 
Ernest, had, as ho thought, a very plain ] tange supposed that the young lady was a 
way before him. Ho set up as a lecturer, 
with tho honest design of instructing his 
clover person, and showed a preference for 
the conversation of the medical student— 
less intelligent neighbors. Unfortunately, I an individual sho could not marry—simply 
left to save you in time from everlasting un¬ 
happiness. This night, at eleven, I start 
for home.” 
“What have I dono?” cried Louise. “ Poor 
Ernest! how generous, how noble, how good! 
however, nobody went to his lectures; and that she might look round unobserved and p 00 r fellow! how those thoughtless, bitter 
oil cAi;/.R.ifmna m,.f w!*v. n n/tiitsi K,.t unsuspected, and choose for herself. _i_* r_ _ .... i.». t ... t ... .. 
ail his solicitations met with a polite but 
peremptory rebuff'. The poople, in fact 
spoke of things which all began to under¬ 
stand, and was listened to with deep inter¬ 
est and respectful attention. When he sat 
down tho barn almost seemed about to fall. 
words must have gone to his heart. 
“My dear Louise,’ said her friend one stop him. But no: ho is gone. Well, I 
liked thoir own way best, and would believe day to her, “how much longer do you mean | must wait until to-morrow. What a night 
nothing to tho contrary on more hearsay.— ! to keep tho men in suspense? There aro 
lie was generally spoken of as a fool for his 
pretensions—the “ Fool of Laboudie.” 
The manner in which Ernest was troated, *»ugmng ; - urn, ± am quitu sum * snau sou come, 
at length induced him to abandon all at- them all as rosy as ever next season.” Meanwhile Ernest, whoso mind had been 
tempts at reformation, and he betook him- “ Do you not, then, mean to select your enlarged and elevated by more extended 
self to Paris a somewhat wiser man. Ex- future husband beforo you again bury your- studies, went away on his road home, sub- 
perienco had coolod his ardor for improving self in your gloomy castle?” said Mme. do dued, dejected, and yet not wholly cast down, 
mankind. Arrived in Paris, ho took up his Lastange in an alarmed tone. Ho saw directly tho truth of all that Louiso 
lodging in the quartier Latin, and went to “ My dear madame, I am rich, I am young, had said; ho perceivod whero his own er- 
seo M. Bonoit, a notary in high reputo with I have time and independence. I shall not rors lay, and determined to profit by tho 
the old aristocracy, who confided in him the choose a husband until I havo found a lover lesson. Ho arrived at homo after a long 
management of their pecuniary affairs with whose affection is real, and whom I myself journey, calm, serious, and full of a strong 
a confidence and security which spoko vol- can like.” conviction of his own former pride, which 
umes for his honesty and honorablo charac- Mmo. do Lastange mentioned several of made his present humility all tho more 
tor. He received M. Ernest kindly, listenod her suitors with high praiso, but Louise pleasing. His mother was delighted to see 
to what ho had to say patiently, and then shook her head, and found fault with all. him; and when he declared his intention of 
gave him advice. He approved of his select- “I have no patience with you,” cried tho devoting himself in future to tho farm, she 
ing medicino as a profession, and promised, good lady. “ You encourage that young was doubly pleased, lie took up his former 
if it pleased him, to introduce him into good student so much, that you have no time to quarters, and then, after a day’s rest, started 
society, that the intervals of time between judge the merits of others. I havo a great for a long walk to recruit his body, some- 
his studies might bo woll spent. Ernost ac- mind to close my door against him.” what enervated by study and town life. lie 
ceptod gladly, and at once began tho study “My dear do Lastango,” replied Louiso, followed tho high road which led to tho 
of his new profession. It suited his charac- gravely, “if you cease to receive my protege. Chateau de Plouvieres, along which woro 
ter, his feeling for suffering humanity, to be you will make my evenings very dull. I several small farms, and ono or two very 
tho healer of the sick; and the prospect of shall run to tho country a month sooner.” extensive ones. Ho walked along, his oyos 
more than a dozen dying for love”— 
ho will pass traveling. How cruel he must 
think me!” And away sho hurried to bed, 
“01 my chateau and cash, replied Louise as if by so doing tho morrow would sooner 
laughing; “ but I am quite suro I shall seo come. 
hand, that she was unchanged. 
“ And so monsieur runs away, and I must distinctly: 
beautiful girl. He prepared his lecturo in somo cosy nook, or on some cleanly window 
his mind during the whole three days which seat, the pretty, fragrant things, speaking 
intervened, and when tho hour came, en- all unconsciously ot tho heavenly fathers 
tered the barn amid loud applause. The kindness in enriching tho dreary world-path 
place was full. The whole neighborhood through which tho children travel to a bet- 
malo and female, was there, with Mr. Wil- ter home. The heart ot the hard working 
son, his assistants, and pupils. Everybody man grows kindlier, and softens even to- 
understood now, that the object of Ernest wards the task-master, from whom ho earns 
Delavigno had been good; and all blamed his slight pittance, as their rich and dainty 
themselves for not comprehending him, colors toast his eyes. Tho little ones aro 
though in reality the fault was with him, wealthy if a single velvet leaf is bestowed 
who had not understood tho right way to upon them; for they sco nothing so beauti- 
proceed. ful out of doors, poor things!—nothing but 
He began. In eloquent words, with deep red bricks and damp pavements, in whose 
and strong feeling, he drew a picture of La- gray and black crevices not a blade of grass 
boudie, before and after the return of Louise dare grow. 
from England ; ho compared in a humorous A little sufferer laid in a high, dreary gar- 
way tho different line pursued by the young ret; and the beams abovo his head, and on 
lady and tho Fool of Laboudie (great ap- every sido, were black andtoul. IIis cheek 
plause and laughter,) ho acknowledged her was scarlet with the flush of fever, and tho 
means to be greater, but also allowed that unnatural light ot his eye flashed in the dim- 
he might have made his own land the model ness ot coming evening, like a diamond in 
farm by industriously devoting himself to its gloomy bed ot anthracito. Something 
the very course of improvement which ho told the child that death was busy with its 
recommended ; he called down the blessings heart. It might have been the heavy strug- 
of Heaven on tho lovely patroness of the gling for breath; it might have been an 
locality, hardly able to restrain tears as he angel, for angels gather in bands around the 
spoke, and then opened with his subject.— dospised couch ot poverty. 
IIo used simple and plain language; he “ Mother,” ho whispered, and a pale, bent 
woman knelt beside him, “ mother, is there 
one blown now!—look, look!” 
For tho twentieth time tho sickly woman 
lifted tho tiny box of violets and tho blood 
so violently did they shako it with their rushed to her face as sho beheld ono little 
bravos and clapping of hands. But it was drooping bud, just beginning to unfold.— 
late, and most had a long way to go ; so the Sho carried it to the boy, the child, almost 
assemblage dispersed, after receiving grate- the infant: and a sweet smile lighted up his 
fully tho promiso of a continuation that innocent features. 
day week. “Put it down, mother, whero I can look 
But one person lingered behind, and stood at it till I die.” 
within tho barn when all had left it save With a wild sob, tho poor widow placed 
Ernest and his mother. They had reached it upon his pillow, and watched his glassy 
the door before they made the discovery. eyes eagerly as they watched tho flower. 
“M’lle laComtesso,”said Mme. Delavigne, Hours passed; the brow grew whiter; tho 
respectfully. fingers that sho clasped moro clammy; tho 
“ Ernest!” replied sho, holding out her round lips that had often called her mother, 
hand. moro purple, fading into a bluish white, and 
“ Louise !” exclaimed he, for ho saw in the tremulous, as though tho failing voice strug- 
sinile that accompanied tho offer of her gled for utterance. Sho placed her ear 
closer to his little foco, and heard him utter 
run after him !” said Louise, taking his arm. 
“ What think you, madame,” she continued, 
your son a month ago asked me to marry 
“ Good byo, mamma; take good caro of 
my violets.” 
After the rough pino coffin was carried 
him; I consented, and a week ago he ran away, and covered with the mould, while her 
away, declaring he would not have mo. Am worn fingers woro nervously stitching on tho 
I not very good to come and fetch him ?” ill-paid for garment, that mother could seo 
“ Louise 1 Louise !” replied Ernest passion- a vision of beauty filling r fhe wretched gar- 
atelv, “ I did not think you would marry the ret with light and loveliness, a vision of her 
Fool of Laboudie 1” early buried child, in the pure white robes 
“ My dear friend, my speech of the other of Heaven, bending abovo the box ol violets, 
evening only shows how wrong peoplo aro — Boston Olive Branch. 
