Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-02-17
MISCELLANY.
JENNY KELLY.

| JENNY KELLY.
The following well written story, by the au-
thor of "Myrtle Leaves" first inserted in the
European Magazine, derives an interest from
its being real fact, unadorned by felton,
The writer Of it. it is stated, is near relative to
the unfortunate female, whose brief history he
records:
In the town of Newry, in Ireland liv-
ed Jenny Kelly, the subject of this little
narrative. At this distance of time,
not any thing material is known Of her
parents: it is only known that they were
honest and Industrious, and that they
brought up their daughters according
to their means. Before she attained
the age oils years, she became the OBJ
ject of affection to two suitors. This
distinction, which would have been fat
tering to the vanity of most young wo-
men of her age, proved to her the great
est misfortune. She had a fine counte-
nance, an elegant figure, an amiable
disposition, and was Of singularly indus
trious habits. Her voice was more
over uncommonly fine and she carolled
as merrily as the lark, and as sweetly
as the nightingale. In short, she could
not but make any man good wife, and
Iadelightful companion.
Poor girl when ! think of her fate,
a tear Of pity falls to her memory. Yet
Jenny did not become prey to the arts
Il e la cor
cry of different kind.
The two rivals who sought her affec-
tons, were brother clerks, in the firm
of Messrs. Ogle & Thompson, well
known merchants in Newry. The cir
cumstances of each were nearly equal
and they were generally regarded with
| a degree of respect, little short of that
shown to the partners themselves. Rays
was the name of one lover, M'Evoy
that of the other. Rays was very
handsome young man, tall and well
shaped; his rival had not the same ad
vantages of person, and was conscious
of the superiority of Rays in this respect
but this reflection only caused him &c
redouble his attentions to Jenny, and tc
do every thing in his power to ingra
tate himself into her esteem. Whether
or not Rays was less ardent or perse
vering in evincing his attachment, can
not now be known; but after much per.
suasion and entreaty, Jenny, though
her heart owned a preference of Rays
yielded to the opportunities OF NICE
voy, and was married to him according
ly.
Jenny was young, & probably scarce.
" knew her own heart at the time, else
she ought not to have given her hane
to one lover, and her affections to an
other. 1t was weakness on her part
and she bitterly atoned for it; yet who
shall blame her?
s'Women are not,
sTn their best fortunes, strong;"
and might there not be some neglect
on the part of Rays?
When Jenny became wife, she wa
fully sensible Of the duties and obliga
tons which her new condition imposed
upon her; and she determined TO do al
| in her power not only to retain the al
fections of her husband, but to increas'
her own towards him. With these feel
| ings they might have been happy; bu
connubial bliss was not to be the lot o
this young creature.
Itmay easily be imagined that Rays
lwho was not less fond OF Jenny thar
his successful rival, was plunged into
state of distraction, as soon as ne knew
of the utter ruin of his hopes. In TIT
first paroxysm of his rage, he threaten
led destruction to both; but becoming
more calm, he conceived scheme o.
revenge, which he determined to carr!
into effect. He began to affect an IN
difference upon the subject; then to ute
|inuendoes that could not but creat'
strange conjectures; and at last ne dlt
not scruple to insinuate, in plain terms
|, and in such a way that it was sure Il
reach Nc Evoy's ears, that he had pre-
yious to her marriage had an illicit IN
tercourse with the young bride. Suci
reports was not slow in finding circula
ton; they speedily came to the know
Hedge of Nc Evoy and his wife, and thei
feelings on the occasion it may be easil,
J, supposed were deeply, though very dit
E lferently affected. Jenny became me