Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-07-28

Al ASr aGgSTS.ty, aid i.UGSn aUainiUneu Oy Ter Old
acquaintance refused associate With the mean peo-
pie who composed the circle around her. Upon the
decease of her husband, tie distressed widow retired
with her daughter 10 cheap lodging in the ouskirt,
OF the city, where by spinning aud embroidery they
earued scanty subsistence. The tenement which af
ioTded them shelter was built before described a.
gainst the wal! OF spacious garden; and when they
urst took possession, the demesne having bccu Ions;
lrnnhabed, was exceedingly Quiet and secluded
Lena liked tic spot: after she had flushed her DAYS
WORK. when she suuEd leisure TO ntae the fresh al.
nom her window the whole place u its solitude seem
ed to belong TO her. and she the less regretted the loss
oi Ier own flowers. she could gaze upon the lux.
uTiani though uDrmued blossoms of the parteres he
low. Both mother and daughter, from the first mo-
!nent OF their msEotunes cherished secret hope that
"iaurice Aettler would fulfil his early engagement and
restore them to their former situation life. Mrs.
iSrugg had, however, the prudence TO make some
attempts 20 conceal this expectation, ard Lena was
TOO modest to confess how fully she relied The pro-
muses. made by boy of fourteen to girl of ten years
oiu hen sustaining bitter disappointment in the
neglect OF the young merchant who returned 10 his
tive place without making any inquiry concerning his
Old friends, she still remained SILENT and would gladly
have avoided the subject altogether. But she not
suffered 20 grieYe her blighed hopes in secret:
the veXaon OF her inudicious parent was ungoverna
bie she scolded and re.ted herself into fever and
the agitation OF her spirits, when beginning subsle,
was revived again by an uniortunat circumstance
Maurice ketter unaware of the place of Mrs Brug-
Scmanns retreat, had become the purchaser of the adj
Joining house and land. Lena felt much difficulty
son's peace She could not approach the lattice with
out catching glimpse OF hIauvce. Tall, graceful
and hney propoTtioned, he still retained the beau
ui lineaments which she had so well remembered His
thouGhtiess good humor, and unbounded lberality
were likewise unaltereG and he seemed CHANGED only
in his torgettulness of her, She was also much dis
tressed by 'ncessaht complaints of her mother Sci
oom lifting her thoughts above this world Mrs Rruu
gemann ceased TO berail the cbanre i'm Ler cir
cunsances; and totally unconscious of her own IN
"oF'hness presumed TO charge heaven with injustice
IN permitting the visition of many heavy a!ict,ons
i-ena's pous feelings continually shocked by the
ut'erahce OF the revolving sentiments of an unrepen
crate mind, and she vainy tried incuicate the boiv
precepts OF tue gospel, and bring her nearest and
dearest relative to of the divine goodness
sometimes in order 70 soothe her mothers rritibility
she would throw up her fine eyes heaven pronounce
her conviction that better days would ensue: and
though IN common with ali true christians looked oniy
10 Iipre state for the enjoyment Of pure felicity
yet depending upon omnpotent power she did no,
despair OF attaining happiness earth
In addition TO her other disquet,ides, poor Lena's
IDEAS OF proprety were cuelly outraged by the vul
gar pleasure which Airs. Bruggemann derived in
watching and commenting upon every thing that ms.
sed at her neighbours but dutfuI! to reprove the
mere foilie and mistakes Of parent, she endured the
annoyance in silence, striving TO subdus her own vep
ation at the gible disposition which forbade all
hope of domestic peace.
The wassa and bauquetng at the great house were
without end; every night most brilliant illumination
shone from the windows and the sound of reyey and
merriment penetrated Lena's distant apartment Often
too when the bright moon tipped the trees with silver
aloycns party toasted in the stately garden. Lovers
mShl be seen stealing away through the bleached
alleys chequered only by the rays which came dan
eng through the waving branches OF towering shrubs
and Maurice etier the life and soul of the entertain,
men dong the honovs 10 all his guests while he Law
ished the most tlatterng attentions upon one. Lena
urea OF ccntont'on sometimes suffered herself to be
dragged to the window these occasions; and she
struggled hard with her feelings when su,yeyno ,ie
naughty airs and disdanful manners of the beautiful
'JUp 1Vffa T,rI,f eI,r, r.
a chance OF happiness there for MAURICE in his
ambitious choce?-No lno: she was too gentle too kind
too torgving to indulge sentiment so inmical TO her
nngeiic disposition, and she grieved tie indications
OF an impeIlous temper which the intended bride con
tnuaily displayed Mrs. Brucgemann yex ed tha, she
could find very few faults the personal appearanca
OF The lady and somewhat a'Ted b her proud looks and
Scor9'ni gestures openly rejo;cod at the prospect OF
Welded ia!ei' ity which awaited the me, chant
Tho gossping DANES attention was however sco,
called OH rom the affairs Of others by the pressure oc
poverty at home. She could find any; sale for her
yarn; there far less demand than hereofore or ~
daughters embroidery. Lena bore The t;,
their essencd profits entaed upon item with all her
saa patient sweetness. She tUicd from crniu mill
night, IeVSng new patterns, which she trusted would
please The eyes OF the rich maideus soI the civ and
bring fresh customers for her needle work bnt the
trade grew dulier and auer, and want ABSOLUTELY
ed her IN The lace "What are become Of all your fine
projections nov, Lena" cried Mrs. Brugremanu-
Nv are likely TO staryc, think, before this MIGHTY
good fortune, which is TO cUuIc arrives An voI,
may talk as you WILL but Is aldesny; some folks are
Born to lucky while others, far more deserving are
doomed to cat The bread Of bitterness all The a. NJ
! their lives ifihefc any tbiog except blind
chance in the affairs OF this world, how comes it ta,
Maurice Ketuer rolls IA money, while you want com
mon Uecessaries:n
Lena's confidence in heaven was not sIacl:encd bv
these and similar speeches; she prayed mere iervep,tv
than ever, and replied with !dncsg vet with firrnness
to the coarse sarcasns i"Tc!ed al her religious faith
trial called for all her fDy,i,;lie Her mn
Their, in iun'naginS cid chest, found rlernoran
dun in the hand writing other deceased bus band sta
tGg the loan of twenty rjx dollars TO Hans Eetrler
The date was subsequent 10 e dissolution OF partner
ship, and size knew if il had ever been rcpad Errr
gernann, who was proverbiay exact in Ills accounts
would bayc carefully acknowledged the recent in The
same document Delighted with Tue chance Of reco-
YcFing s';n which would place her in comparative
ease, the old woman determined 10 present tie raro
to Maurice he!iier, and trs to his honor TO lqnidaic