The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-02-04
mo. 52.
From The T.-enion Emporium.
CHARLOTTE LEE.

The world was sad The garden wns wild
And mnn the hermit signd TIL woman
smd'd." Campbell
The birds sars sweetly among the green
sbfubbery at Attleton Hill, for summer
scattered round il her most delightful
seenory--there were To be seen the earlt-
ct and tlie loycliest roses there the spreav
ding iessAuriucs and twinnug Ivy FIRST put
firth their blossoms there the fields were
first clothed IN the gayest Yerdure, and ilia
arhonr by the crystal spring was in fun
bloom at the first blush OF May. Perfect
happiness dwclls not in the world, OF there
would its abode have been, when tho
storms were all gone To- rest and the sky
wa beautiful aud cloudless, and the land
scape fair as the tabled bowers of Calyp-
81 for within the neal and beautiful cot
lagc that crowned the summit of the bill
though plenty with her fruit wreathed horn
was moi constant visitor, eheeriuness
and eontenlment made their abode; virtue
scattered round her choicest blessings and
religion spoke TO every heart in the stlli
small whisperings of peace.
Charlotte Lee was III mistress Of that
pretty retreat her aged parents mad both
gone down N their ray hnirs happy 10
the grave. They lell her H., eldest Of
three healthy chIldfeni and willie tile or
phans practised The industry and frugaliiy
10 which they had been reared, they for
got M, the early lessons of plety which
had been impressed upon their miDds from
infancy. Chadqtie WAS u girl, though
not remarkably handsome, Of engaging
manners, and sweet disposition d spell
hung around her which attracted thc AT
iention and never fniled To secure the es-
TEEN of all who saw her. and something of
its magic influence mingled with every
thing she said and did To see her was 10
admire her, 10 know her was 10 love her
Such was Charlotte Lee.
MOI FAR remote from Attleton Hill, as a
boarder IN farm house, resided r s.4
whose origin and circumstances were un-
known, and whose manner Of iii, was still
more matter Of wonder aud conjecture
among the laxative of the neighboibood,
Than was las parentage or fortune. He
WAS foreigner, at h,ast SO his language
aud his habits indieated--from some un-
known source he derived a competent sup
ply Of money 10 meet his wants which
were indeed but few. He lived life Of
leisure and retirement sometimes parta-
king in the inducements of the field, SONG
times exercising himself on horseback, hut
for the most part Willing away his time
among his books and his papers in his IL
brary, where he would pass whole days
without any intercourse with the lhmils IN
which he resided. There wns a tuge Of
cnre ON his brow, his air and manner hes
poke inward dsquictudc, and Though there
were no out burstlngs of grief visible, IL
was easy 10 discover that something OF
dlacentent preycd upon his heart and bent
his fine temper, aud gase a paler hue To
his young cheek, and the few grey hairs
that AT 80 juvenile an age were seen seat
tered among his dark locks, told tales Of
troubles remembered or endured. Though
unhappy and retiring he VIA still amiable
and beloved and the tenacily with which
he kept the secret OF his SORROWS, drew
perhaps more hearts 10 him IN sympathy
Than Development of them would have
done.
Chance had led him one day 10 the
dwelling Of Charlotte Lee. He admired
the situation, aud the mistress OF lbr de-
lightlnl cottage, and became in process oR
time a frequent visitor. Charlotte loved
the melancholy stranger, aud IN the inno-
ceut simplicity of the times welcomed him
10 the cottage and soothed him With her
smiles, and minlslered almost lnperrepti-
bly, 10 his wounded spirit. Whatever
might have been the cause of his previous
gloomiDess Of soul, the light OF new
found source Of pleasure and happiness
came across his brow he improved in
health and spirits so0n his garicty and life
gave "A new zrst 10 the rural festivals Of the
| country and the change was observed by
all who knew him, before the cause was
once suspected. AT last il discovered H.
self He became the prolfsscd sutton OF
Charlotte Lee aud though still reserved,
the unstained purity Of his character, and
the innate worth that shone through al
the transactions in which he was eng agcd,
50 fairly established bis claims of virtue
and honor that he found no obstacle.
10 a union with his chosen, and Char
lottc war married to the mysterious stran-
ger.
Another summer came to enliyen tba
landscape at Ilttleton Hill and the new
married couple were happy as peace and
love and plenty could make them but
when winter sent before him his sharp
boar frosts, and the flowers persisted and
the birds took their departure, the stranger
too, prepared TO leave the cottage a yoy-
age across the Atlantic was spoken OF, and
before the middle Of autumn the whole
family had gone. The Stranger carried
his young and conliding wife aud her still
younger brothers with him To Amsterdam,
where they arrived in safety--and where
he first discovered his true circumstances.
The possessor Of one of the richest estates
In Holland, he introduced her to new
world of spIondour, and to the enjoyment
of ease and elegance.
rhia runa fhn hnl1en aud or4n4n thnt