Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-06-06


all that happiness which the toiling
merchant pictures 10 himself on view
of calm retirement. We had some
pleasant neighbours, and the time
passed agreeably, both al home and
abroad, until the time for Harry's ex-
pccted visit, when he arrived full OF
hope and youthful animation, telling
us he would shortly be in situation
to claim his beloved one my blush
ing child turned TO me, saying, while
a tear tlembled in her eye
"'My y father'-and she threw her
arms around my neck while Harry,
anticipating her wishes, seized my
hand and exclaimed
"'And my father, you will remain
with us, you will meyer leave us!'
81 was gratilied with his warmth,
and pressing their hands together, 1
blessed them both, again inwardly
thanking Heaven that all | most val
ued was still left me.
"Harry staid with us but short
time when, with many promises to
write oGen, he took his leave. Emma
did not appear SO detected as 1 ex-
pected she would be. The dear girl
looked forward to happy future, and
quietly enjoyed her Frightening pros
poets. But alas! we soon received a
letter from Harry, informing US that
his expectations had been disappoint-
ed; that he was compelled to relin-
quiSh every hope of the lucrative Sit
ualion he had been promised, and was
still dependant, in great measure,
upon his father. Another, and anoih-
er came, full of ardent affection and
cruel disappointment. My child be-
came the more distracted and gloomy
as her lovers difficulties increased, and
plainly saw that the poison of hope
delayed was undermining her health !;
her strength was fast leaving her, and
deep and settled melancholy appear
ed on her pale features. In vain ap-
pealed to her good sense, endeavourng
to rouse her to eXertion for a mo-
ment only, would faint smile light
her lowell countenance, while she ral-
lied me on my fears for her health :,
vain were her efforts to conceal the
deep dependence she was unable to
combat with; which stole over hel
like dark cloud OH the face of ma
ture, shrouding all | loved IN its bane-
ful gloom. She faded gradually, with
out being herself conscious Of her de-
cline.
Sat length we learned that Morton
was preparing TO sail for Canton; this
did not promise much; not even a
speedy return to comfort his anxious
betrothed one. His hurried depart
ure made it impossible to visit us once
more, but he begged Emma to take
care Of herself; in the most moving
language he implored her to recollect
that she was the promised reward for
all the hardships and deprivations he
was preparing to encounter. She
wept over the last letter we received
from him, ard felt convinced she would
never see him more. We never heard
from him again. Great Heaven! if
men could know the tender nature Of
woman's soul-could they but feel one
of the mighty pangs which rend her
gentle bosom OH the slightest neglect,
even their hard hearts would burst ere
they could injure those who can love
them to very madness! but it remains
for those to know this, who have
watched by the pillow of declining
hope who, like me, heard the last
accents from a broken widowed heart
breathe only the tenderest love. Ten
months elapsed, and no tidings Of
Henry! No murmur escaped the lips
of Emma, while rapid decay was
destroying the roundness Of her fairy
form, and my adored, my only hope,
was fast sinking to an untimcly grave.
| watched her as she advanced, step
by step, with the most bitter agony.
| felt the last pang which wrenched an
idol from its base! Her tomb was
closed ere recovered from my de|ir-
ium. In the madness Of my grief, |
would have torn up the earth to have
gazed OH her once more, but the dear
remains were hidden forever from my
view, and l sank on the sod in deep
and incurable despair.
"There is nonght left for me in