Page:Famous history of Valentine & Orson (1).pdf/20

 turning hermit, he became a resident of the woods, where, after having lived to a great age, this magnanimous and invincible hero surrendered his body to never-sparing death, and his soul to the immortal Deity, of whose divine attributes he had a fine resemblance.

was playing the flute in a slow and pensive strain, when the mournful cries of a child and the complaining voice of a woman struck his ears.

“Oh! merciful God!” exclaimed the poor creature, “hear with compassion the moans of my unhappy babe!”

Walden ceased to play, and looking over the hedge, he surveyed the child with compassion, as the woman lay on the grass to rest herself: he asked her in a soft voice, why the poor infant cried.

“He is hungry,” replied the woman, weeping bitterly, “we have not had any thing to eat since yesterday morning.”

“Gracious God! since yesterday morning? wait here a few minutes, and I will return.”

He flew away with incredible swiftness, and reappeared in a short time, with a bowl efof [sic] milk and a small loaf, towards which the child stretched out his little arms, and the woman to whom he delivered them began to feed it.

“Sit down, my good woman, and eat of it yourself,” Placing himself on the grass beside it, he