The ladies' garland. [volume] (Harpers-Ferry, Va. [W. Va.]) 1824-1828, 1825-12-10
with her elastic spirits, animated by the allure
ments of novelty and music

ne young men ADMIRED the un0lSTulSed alrl-
ness of her manner and spirits, wed with each
other for her hand, and summoned their pretty
speeches to fill her ears. But Caroline knew no
preference and attributed their attentions to ac-
cident, and considered their fine speeches as
the common stock of society, retailed alike by
every individual according as chance furnished
an occasion. She did not escape the notice Of
her own sex. Those to whom society was more
familiar, ever jealous Of a rising star, and envi-
Gus Ct the caresses bestowed on her, began I'M
der the guise of smiles to beg an introduction
Oh! degenerate human nature, entirely ignorant
OF the ungenerous passions of mankind, herself
unspotted purity, she thought the world was as
it appeared: that every smile was the emana-
ton Of heart unbittered as her own; that these
advances to her acquaintance were the FERNS Of
initiation into that society with which she was
as yet SO much enchanted.
Poor girl! How little did she dream that those
smiles were wells which envy and malice had
raised to hide their own horrid features! How
little did she dream that those voluntary courte-
sizes on the part of her own sex, were mere sub
terfuges to expose to ridicule her unguarded vo-
latility But such was the truth. They played
off on her unsuspecting mind till they were sa
tisfed She went home delighted Weeks and
weeks were spent in reviewing the events Of
that happy night and enjoying in rapturous an
ticipaton other similar pastimes.
But it is not the lot Of human beings long to en-
JOY an unruff1ed calm of delight. Caroline was
by no means an exception. The current of her
I happy thoughts was disturbed by the unexpect-
ed communication of a kind friend
1t was this-Repoits were in circulation that
when at the ball, Caroline was rude in her
manners, 'volatile,' too much pleased with at
tentons,' thought too much Of herself did
not behave as a young Miss ought to behave
&c. Unmindful that she had excited any no
tce, and scarcely conscious that she herself had
played part in the assembly, she was thunder
struck Not as yet suspecting that any thing
but her own conduct could give rise to these re-
ports, she at once believed that all was true
She tried to review the events of the night, but
herfecollecton was limited to what she saw, for
she thought herself as yet but little other than
spectator-Ihe only result OF the retrospect
was that she was pleased, and as she could not
recollect how she demeaned herself, there was a
possibility that her conduct might be exception
able. Her sensibility (Which was not an obscure
trait in her character) was now reused to its
highest pitch.
She bad not long been engaged in repenting
of her thoughtlessness, and making resolutions
to observe more rigid course Of conduct, when
she informed by another that the reports she
so deeply lamented were scandalous aspersions
thrown out by those who were under apprehen-
sions of being supplanted by her. This single
suggestion was enough to point out to her saga
cious mind the nature of every malice, and eve
nv species of detracton which human beings
make use of to bring others on alevel with them