Northern star, and Warren and Bristol gazette. [volume] (Warren [R.I.]) 1826-1830, 1826-07-01
From the Trenton Emporium.
THE VILLAGE BELLE.

oSo e'""y faS''y Hios ca
poets, in this story, to read Of career
of glorious conqucsts. and her blue eyes
brighten, aud her little heart beats
quicker at the thought of being, one day
the heroine, herself, Of some legenda-
ry proser, and of having her own vic.
tories recorded. Well the desire to
be beloved may reign in an amiable
bosorn-.may possess kind and benev-
oIent heart--but power is dangerous,
there are so many temptations to its
abuse. These things would have my
fair readers remember as they go
along with me-and it may be we shall
all be wiser, and therefore better, be-
fore we part.
If you should ever go to Alesbury,
you will see asweet little cottage in
the meadows towards the river valley,
half hid away amid clustre of black
alders, with its white chimney and
snowy palings. peepihg9 through the
foilage-and they will tell you that An
nette Merton once lived there, for all
the villagers remember her. 1t was
one of those terrestrial paradises which
the sick heart, weary with the wrongs
Of men, so often pictures to itself--so
often longs for2-ahd she, oh she was
beautiful creature--my heart even no
beats quicker as her image rises before
me.
She was gay, lively girl-with the
polish of summer in the city, and a
fine education, and whatever her tai
ents might have been she at least pos
sessed the power of pleasing |; the tact
Of winning hearts, in a most copious
measure. never could divine exact
iy how she did it--but there was free
frank, friendly air about her that in
spired confidence /; and gifted thus at
all points she played most mastery
game among the village beaux. Eve
body was glad to gallant her, was emu.
ious which should pay her the most at
tention--and every young gentlInan 10
the village who could afford to spruce
himself up little once in twenty-four
hours, paid her an afternoon or an eve.
ming visit.
Itwould have heen amusing to one
who went as mere spectator to have +
attendeda Saturday evening levee at the
Alder Cottage--amusing to see the ad-
dress practiced by the competitors for
her smiles in eliciting some distinguish
ed mark Of her favour--they gathered
round her in the little parlour, and i'll
She spoke there was strife as to who
should most approve what she said ; If
she dropped her handkerchief, two or
three heads were thumped together in
the effort to restore il to her, and if she s
walked, they were happy who got at {
her side. and all the rest were misera-
BILE. There were to be seen all kinds {
Of faces and every description Of tenn
per-and such spectator might have i
been edited, but the principal Impress .
ion on his mind would probably have a
been, that courting under such circum- I
stances was a most particularly foolish Il
kind Of business. n
But Annette sung" The moon had k
climbed the highest hill,' and told b
Boarding School stories, aud talked ell. b
'quently about love and poet y ,musick il
Ind painting-was witty, sentimental "
ind good natured--was invincioie al b
Ways, absolutely always the conqneror. al
rhe young ladies Of the village saw II
themselves uDdeservedly deserted o.
ookcd month after month on the sue. C,
ess of their ganeral rival ; and prayed tt
ifyoung ladies' ever pray a. It
'out such matters, that Annette might az
peedily make a clolce, among her Ii
and leave them the re- p
II was iorlorn hope, she q
'iegaGd- Il done sush thIrg che wa 'lu