American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-01-28

And still the stranger visit not where to stray;
The world was sad the garden was a wild
And man the hermit sigh'd till woman smrd"
CAMPBELL.
The birds sang sweetIy among the green shrub.
berry at Ateton Hill, for summer scattered round
u her most delightful scenery there to be
seen the earliest and the loveliest roses; there the
spreading Jessamines and twning ivy first put forth
their blossoms; there the fields were first clothed in
the gayest verdure, and the arbor by the crystal
spring was IN full bloom at the first blush of May.
Perfect happiness dwelIs not in the world or there
would its abode have been, when the storms were
all gone to rest and the sky was beautiful and cloud
less and the landscape fair the tabled bowers of
Calyposo for within the neat and beautiful cottage
that crowded the summit of the hill, though plenty
with her fruit wreahed horn was not a constant vi
sitor cheerfulness and contentment made their
aoode virtue scattered round her choicest blessings
and religion spoke to every heart in the still small
whisperings of peace.
Charlotte Lee was the mistress of that pretty re-
treat, her aged parents had both gone down in their
gray hairs, happy to the grave. They leff her the
eldest OF three healthy children; and while the or
phans practised the industry and frugaity to which
they had been reared, they forgot the carly les
sons of piety which had been impressed upon their
minds from infancy. Charlotte was girl thoe eh
not remarkably handsome, of engaging manners,
and sweet dispositions spell hung around her which
esteem of all who saw her, and something OF its
magic influence mingled with every thing she sale
and did; 10 see her was to admire her, to know her
was to love her. Such was Charlotte Lee.
Not far remote from Attleton Hill, as boardep
in farm house, resided man whose origin and
circumstances were unknown, and whose manner Of
lie was still more matter OF wonder and conec-
ture among the laxative of The neighborhood, than
was his parentage or fortune. He was foreigner,
at least SO his language and his habits Indicated
from some unknown source he derived competent
supply oil money to meet his wants, which were in
deed but few He lived life Of leisure and retire.
ment; sometimes partaking in the amusements of
the held, sometimes ex rcisng himself on horse
back but Tor the most part Willing away his time
among his books and his papers in his library,
where he would pass whole days without any inter-
course with the family in which he resided, There
was tinge OF care on his brow, his air and manner
bespoke inward osquletude, and though there were
no -5urstngs oil grief visible it was easy TO dis
cover that something OF discomfort proved upon
his heart and bent his fine temper and gave paer
hue TO his young cheek, and the few grey hairs that
al so juvenile age scattered among his
dark locks, told tales OF troubles remembered or en-
dured. Though unhappy and retiring he was still
amiabe and beloved; and the tenaci,y with which
he kept the secret of his sorrows drew perhaps
more hearts to him in sympathy than deyelope-
menl of them would have done.
| Chance had led him one day to the DWELLING of
Charlotte Lee. He admired the situation, and the
mistress oil the delightful cottage, and became in
process OF time frequent visitor. Charlotte loved
the melancholy stranger, and IN the innocent sim.
plcity OF the times welcomed him to the cottage
and soothed him with her Smiles and ministered al
most irnPercepubly to his wounded spirit. What,
ever might have been the cause oil his previous
gloomness OF soul, the light OF new found source.
! OF pleasure and happiness came across his brow;
he improved in health and spirits; soon his gaety
and life gave new zes to the rural festivals of the
lcountry; and tile change was observed by all who
/ knew him, before the was once suspected -.
At last it discovered itself. He became the profes
sed sutton OF Charlotte Lee; and though still reser-
wed, 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 virtue and honor that he found no obsta-
Gle to an union with his chosen, and Charlotte was
married to the mysterious stranger.
Il Another summer came to enliven the landscape
at Atteton Hill; and the new married couple were
I happy as peace and love and plenty could make
them; but when winter sent before him his sharp
Ihoar rosts and the flowers persisted and the birds
took their departure, the stranger too prepared to
leave the cottage; voyage across the Atlantic was
spoken OF, and before the middle of autumn the
whole family had gone. The stranger carried his
young and conhding wife and her still younger bro
W arrived III safety
and where he first discovered his true circums,au-
ices The possessor of of the richest es,atey If,
Holland he introduced her TO new world of sjlen
DOR and to the enjoyment of ease and elegance.
This was the house and estate that STRANGER had
abandoned years before disgustsd with the fatieues
and cares oil a business to which he was TOO closely
confined by his father; who had allowed him his
narrow support while abroad, and at whose death he.
had nov returned The descendants of this Union
are now connected with the richest bankers in Am
stsrdam And although the name oil Charlotte Lee
has ceased to be spoken, none who visit Attelon
Hill, go away without this little history of ito tor