The ladies' garland. [volume] (Harpers-Ferry, Va. [W. Va.]) 1824-1828, 1824-07-24
DESULTORY SELECTIONS.
THE HEIRESS.

THE HEIRESs.
sprightly, rosy checked, laxen-haired girl,
used to sit, in the pleasant evenings of June, on the
marble steps opposite my lodgings in Philadelphia.
and sing over hundred little sonnets, and tell over
as many tales in a sweet voice, and with an air Of
delightful simplicity, that charmed me many time
She was then orphan child, and commonly re-
ported to be rich Often and often have sat, after
day of toll and vexation, and listened to her limo
cent voice, breathing forth the notes of peace and
happiness, which flowed cheerfully from light
heart, and felt portion of that tranquility steal
over my own bosom. Such was Eliza Huntly when
| first knew her.
Several years had elapsed, during which time
had been absent from the city, when, walking along
one Of the most fashionable squares, | saw an ee-
giant female figure step into carriage, followed by
a gentleman and two pretty children. did not
Immediately recognize her face, but my friend who
was by my side pulled my elbow" Do you not re-
member little Eliza, who used to sing for us when
we lived together in Walnut street ," did remem-
bert was herself
She used to be fond said he, of treating her
little circle of friends with romances and at last she
acted out neat romance herself-She came out in
to the gay circles Of life under the auspices Of her
guardians it was said by some she was rch--very
rich; but the amount of her wealth did not appear
to be matter of publicity however, the current
and, as generally believed, well founded report,
was sufficient to draw around her many admirers
and among the number not few serious ccurtiers.
She did not wait long before young gentleman,
on whom she had looked with somewhat partial
eye, because he was the gayest and handsomest of
her lovers, enlboldened by her Partially, made her
an offer Probably she blushed and her heart lut-
tered little, but they were sitting in moonlight
parlour and as her embarrassment was more than
half concealed, she soon recovered, and as Wag'
gsh humor happened to have the ascendant, she put
on a serious face, told him she was honored by his
preference, but that there matter which she
wished well understood before, by giving reply,
she bound him to his promise. Perhaps you may
have thought me wealthy | would not for the
world have you labor under mistake on that point;
| am worth eighteen hundred dollars
She proceeding, but the gentleman started,
as if electrified eighteen hundred dollars, he re-
peated, in a manner that betrayed the utmost sur
prise yes ma am, said he, aukwardly, did I'M
derstand you worth great deal more-but--
No. sir, she replied excuses or apologies
think about what have told you you are embar-
raised now answer me another time; and rising,
she bid him good night
She lust escaped trap ; he went next day to her
guardians, to inquire more particularly INTO her al
fairs and receiving the same answer, he dropped
the suit at
The next serious proposal followed soon after,
and this too came from one who had succeeded to
a large portion of her esteem but applying the
same crucible to the love he offered her. she found
like result. He too left her, and she reioiced in
another fortunate escape.
She some time after became acquainted with
young gentleman of slender fortune, in whose APP
proaches she thought she discovered more of tmo-
rOuS dlIideNGe OF love than she had witnessed be-