The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-02-28
mo. 80.

social link, or expand the circle Of humani-
~ save only as thy relate 10 the prosperi~
| ty of his own chill, f,lt M reluctance in
ordering the coachman TO drive on and
Emma was left once more, deserted on the
Heath Must she then perish No. Hea.
ven has forgiven Justice il satisfied
Through the dispensing gloom, yet aug
mented severity OF the blast, a firm aud
steady step was heard, by the orphan, to
approach. There was something in it.s
sound, presaging of sueeor something
which conveyed hope 10 the heart. A
glow of comfort flushed upon her frozen
cheeks. A delicious sensation, like TO
that which Il experienced when we feel
the congennl sigh breathe upon us, as it
leaves the warm bosom OF friendship AMI
mated her with new life. She arose with
strength aud feeling, she knew not how TO
account for she hurried to meet him that
approached her, aud in the next instant
| fell senssless into his arms.
Child of alllietion = enqnired the stran.
ger, las he wrapt her shivcring form more
tenderly in his m1ntlc, and watched the
returning life IN her pallid face, by the in
distinct beamings of The moon which had
now arisen.) Child Of ailliction! why
hast thou, On this lone night, wandered
from thy friends and home p Il have
noDe,' resumed the disconsolate Emma
with conyul5iye emotion, while she cast
upon him look which might have melted
the heart Of n stole, and endeavored to re-
lieve herself from his embrace Ii was
| the first time since her unhappy seduction,
| that the orphan had been touched or cher
lshed by man.
j am very young she continued, but
| have experienced an age of misery. Sc
duced by heart, believed 10 be the ora
Gle OF truth aud consistency; an orphan,
| Stunned by my former friends scoiltd by
my undoeri unpitied; unprotected, 1
have wandered alone the canopy of Iiea-
ven at night my only covering, the scauty
fruit of the forest my only sustenance.
could not love sin sufficient 10 pursue il
for my bread, and who would administer
TO the woman dishonoured Stranger,
| the measure OF my suffering has filed in
| few moments all that will remain of tho
orphan for the exercise of thy humanity,
will be the interment of her corpse, and
the inscription Of her offence, that others
may profit by her misforiuncs, and shun
that rock, Oh which she struck and per-
ished =
Orphan, thou wilt not die = replied tho
stranger, pressing her cold form lirmer in
his arms. i am chidlcss, aud will make
thee mine. The world shall yet respect
and bless the orphan, whose offence it
treated with too much severity, and whose
wants II refused 10 supply
Whose voice is this,' exclaimed tho
| sinking Emma, that sends such tidngs
through my hcwildered brain ? Who calls
me from the grave and dresses out life's
fantasy anew 2
One replied the stranger, who feels it
his duty to succor the afflicted one that
never sportcd with the unhappy, nor pro-
missed, but 10 perform.
Angel minister of Heaven y exclaim.
ed the orphan, and sunk her icy forehead
on his bosom. lie was a nIoson.
And the Mason has kept his word EN-
ina is seen again, blooming and beautiful
rs ever, moving in plenty Her error has
been long since forgotten by all but herself,
IN consideration of her correct departments
aud the exercise of her charities she is
the nlnoner of the village. Her kindnes IS
heals the afflicted her precept5 tame the
obdufate.
Oncr year, when the night winds blow
| bleak and the muiterng tempests beat
upon the roof her residence, does Emma
HE her TO the spot where her prcserver
! found her. He accompanies her. II is tho
indulgence Of a within IN her, which he
sanctions more because he believes il To be
the exercise of a penance for her crime,
than from fear that without such per-
pctuation of il, she might again fall its vic
| tim.
One act originating in extreme sensibili-
ty and unconnselled by experience, wean-
ed from her the sympathies of the world.
One generous bosom snatched her from
destruction, and gave to so"iety again, IT'S
brightest ornament Adicu sweet Emma,
thy suHerings and thy PROJECTIONS, are
treasured up in every honegt heart, and the
hour is blest in which the Mason found
thee, an orphan on The Heath.
$500