Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1823-04-17

I which atFSCtcu the Nkention, ana nCEcF idheu
| 10 secure the esteem of all who saw her, and
something ofiis magic influence mingled with
every thing she said aud did; to sec her vas to
love her. Such was Char lotte Lee.
Not far remote from Attleton Hill, as boar
der in fafm house, resided man whose
origin and circumstances we're unknown, and
whose manner OF life was still more matter
of wonder and conjecture among the laxative
of the neghbourhood, than was his paren;age
or fortune lie was q foreigner, at least SO MS
language and his habits indIcated5 from some
unknown source he derived competent sup
ply of money to meet bis wants, which were
indeed but few lie lived HE OF leisure anu
retiremens sometimes exercising himseh on
horseback, but fof the most part willing away
his time among his books and his papers in
his library, where be would pass Whole days
vi,htglt any intercourse with the family IN
which he resided. There was iinge Of care
upon his brow. his air and manner bespoke IN
ward dsquietude, and though there was no
ontburstings Of grief visible, It was easy 10 dis
cover that something OF dIsc6ntent preyed
ubon his heart, and bent lis tine temper, and
gave pa!er hue to his young clieek, AMI the
lev gray BARS that at so juvenile an age we're
seen scattered among his dark locks, told tales
cftroubies remembered or endured. i hough
unhappy and retiring. he was still ahliable and
Beloved; and the tenacity With which be kept
the secret of his sorrow, drew perhaps more
yearts TO him in sympathy than a Development
Of them would have drawn.
Chance led him one day 10 the dwelling Of
Charlotte Lee. lie admired the situation, and
the mistress of the delightful cottage, and be-
came, in process of time, frequent visitor
Charlotte loved tie ME hncholy stranger. and
in the innocent simplicity Of THE times WELDON.
ed him TO the cottage, and soothed him with
her smiles, and min stored almost mperceptibiy
10 bis wounded spirit. Whatever might have
been the cause of his previous gloominess OF
soul, the light OF a new toundsource OF pleasure
and happiness came across his brow he i'm.
proved in health and spirits; soon hls gaiety
and life gave new zest to the rural festivals OF
the country; and the change was observed by
all who knew him, before the cause was once
suspected. At last it discovered itself lie
became the professed sutton Of Charlotte Lee ;
snd tho still reserved, the unstained purity OF
his character, and the innate worth that shone
through all the transactions in which he was
engaged SO fairly established his claims to vir-
tue and honour, that he found obstacles to All
union with his chosen, and Cherfotte was
married TO the mysterious stranger.
Another summer came TO enliyen landscape
u Atleton Hill, and the new married couple
were happy az peace, and love, and plenty
could make them. but whea winter sent be-
fore him his sharp hoar irosts. and the flowers
persisted, and the birds took their departure,
the stranger too. prepared to leave the cottage,
ayoyage across the Atlantic WAS spokentof, and
before middle of autumn, the whole family
were gone. The stranger carried his young bride
* her still younger sister with hlm 10 ainster.
dam, where they arrived in safety; and there he
first discovered his true circumstances. The
possessor Of one of the richest estates in Hol-
land, he introduced her into new world Of
splendour, and the enjoy ment OF ease and ele-
gance.
This was the house and estate this stranger
had abadoned Years before, disguised with the
fatigues and cares OF a business to which he
had been too closely confined by his father,
who allowed him his narrow support while
abroad, and at whose, death he had now return-
ed. To- descendants of this union are now
connected with the richest bankers in Amster-
dam And although the name OF Charlotte
Lee has ceased to be spoken, none who visit
Atileton Hill go away without this little history
of its former proprietor.