Winchester gazette. [volume] (Winchester, Va.) 18??-1826, 1824-12-24
@fsteildne0us.
from the American Monthly Magazine.
LUCY CARA TALE.

1t was in one OF those rambles abroad
That met with an adventure which made
a singular impre ssion upon my mind-be-
cause it seemed to illustrate human lf.
from its beginning to its end, in "a verv
span. Bringing the Light and Shades OF
our existence into compass that could be
embraced by q single glance. 1t fingers
IN my memory still, living scene, though
most OF the actors have gone beyond the
reach of mortal vision. 1t was fine sum-
mer afternoon but towards sunset, a dark
cloud arose 4; he heavens became envelo-
I'd IN gloom, and full charged thunder
STERN forced me to take refuge in a onely
heI nItage thai stood some distance from
the road ,embowered amid towering shrub
berry. Twas here introduced into room
fail OF company, but company it appear
ed to me made up of singular materials
One elegant, lovely and beautiful girl, sat
IN the centre of a ring formed by about
dozen gay young gentlemen. 1t was easy
to read that they were suitors, for the fact
was imprinted on their countenances.-
There then, sat Lucy Carr, the queen of
this devoted circle, dealing out her smiles
on ali around her with that equal and
steady manner which showed her to be
well versed in the science of government.
Never reigned monarch with sway more
absolute perhaps no sovereign was ever
more deserving of power
For the moment there seemed something
inexplicable in this; had seen, as tho't,
much of The world, and mingled much in
society," had seen beauty attracting the
gaze of the many, the flattery of some, g.
the devoted attachment Of the few but
never behed so many satellites attracted
by single sun. True she was bright and
most bewitching in the rudy blossoms
of youthful charms, and her mind apart
from little tincture of vanity, was worthy
its lovely dwelling (; but even then the
thought stole curiously into my head, per-
haps she has other charms than those
which play around her person and mind.
1t had no business there at such a time,
but it spoke out the reality. A peevish
and half suppressed voice in an adjoining
room, informed us, that sickness was an
inmate of the residence, and before / left
the house, an inquisitive and no less com
municative old dame gratuitously told me
that Miss Lucy would doubtless soon be
the possessor of the ample and rich estate
| of the Wexford family, the last heir of
which lay consuming with hectic fever;
and the whole having been willed to the
Dung lady on the event Of the failure of
the natural heirs. could not suppress a
sigh as | pressed her hand at parting, to
think that with all her loneliness, CAV and
enchanting as she was, she probably had
not in all that throng of fatterers, one sin
gle disinterested lover-one who would
live for herself alone, and cherish so much
of beauty and worth as the best gift of
Heaven.
Yet thus far all was light, compared to
the shadows which fell over her destiny at
last. | went my way, and six years pas
sed before visited that neghbourhood a.
gain. My first enquiry was after Lucy
Carr. She is dead, she died eighteen
months ago." said the landlord of the
Leopard Inn, as he carelessly smoked his
pipe. "And what has become of the wild
ow Wexford" ! asked, who lay at the
point of death six years ago ?" This
question brought from the adjoining break
fast room, the well remembered face f the
worthy dame ] had seen at the Hermit
age, at the time of which spoke, who,
having heard the conversation, IN her anx-
iety TO crafty my curiosity herself, seized
me by the arm and led me to a seat at the
table. The widow, ] now learned. had
recovercd-was married, and blcst With