Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-06-21

serve them. he consequences are oosious'-.
Mary left schpol adorned with every accom-
plishment that adds worth and loyeiiness to the
female character; while Miranda irregular at
tendance had prevented her from prohting by
the lessons OF her instroctor:; and her temper,
exasperated by occasional restraints, had be-
come more intolcrable Soon after their intro
tluc,iou to the world, Mary, while on a visit to
a schooinlate, attracted the admiration oil
Young gentleman from New York. He was
merchant, repu,ed rich, and was fashionable and
accomplished; yet his tase and sentiments were
not exactly such as Mary had dreamed would
distinguish the man she WOULD love,-but she
had never seen one she preferred 10 him, and
her home was disagreeable, and his VOWS OF con-
slant affections were soothing TO herwounded
spirit, and finally she consented TO become the
wife of Mr.. Stamford. This arrangement both
mortified and angered Miranda. She could no:
endure that Mary should be first established,
and determined 10 prevent it. 10 effect her
purpose she pretended to love Stamford herself,
and easily prevailed with her mother to aid her
intrigue 10 supplant her sister. The merchant
was shrcwd calculator. He soon saw Mrs.
CORTLAND welded the scep,rc Of her household,
and that Miranda was her favorite; and there
fore she would probably have the largest for
tune. Besides shetwas more brilliantly beau,i-
ful than her sister; and, in short, he soon trans
ferred his affection from the innocent, amiaDle
Mary, to the imperious and selfish Miranda =
Mary bore the disappointment with madenly
dignity Her tears might flow in secret, but
no complaints or rcproaches escaped her,
sThey have now continued the landlady, come
to town 10 purchase the wedding ornaments
Poor Mary!L pity her. And pilied her too
and had i been marrying man would have
sought out, and tenderly raised the dropping
flower which had been so wantonly crushed
But my steps were bound 10 distant land, and
I could only calculate, God bless thee, and send
thee kind friend, my SWEEP girl, as the carri-
age conveyed me away from thescity.
Her idea haunted me for many months, but
new scenes and new faces weakened the i'm
preston, Till at length lentirely forgot The cir
cums,ance. Nearly seven years had elapsed be-
fore again visited Philadelphia. IL was on
Sabbath morning, and both inclination and du-
" prompted me to attend public worship. I'M
mediately on entering the church my attention
vas arrested by noble looking man seated at
a little distance from me, * by his side one OF
the mos, interesting women had ever behed.
Her face was SO fair and blooming, l should
have doubted her being married, had not her
chances been so often directed towards a groupe
of sweet little children occupying the same
pew; and the expression OF mothers coune-
nance when regarding her offspring, none can
mistake. gazed al her, perhaps too earnest
", for had a vague idea Of having somewhere
behrld resemblance.
ssHer face recalled some face. twere with pain,
once had seen but ne'er should see again" ~
At length her dark sonl-bcaming eyes met
mine-she blu shed, and knew her at once. IL
j. 49,
The serene happiness now irradiating her beau
tiful features from the detection that overspread
them when saw her dragged as victim 10
grace the triumph of her rival sister. That
sister, where was she! From my landlord |
gathered the sequel of her story She married
Mr. Stamford, and accompanied him TO New
York, where her extraordinary beauty soon at
tracted crowd Of ha,ierers Miranda was
vain, and the vain are always tickle. She soon
saw men she preferred 70 her husband; and
finally, when she found his affairs were becom-
ing desperate, notwithstanding her own extra
vagance had mainly contributed to involve
him, instead Of solacng his anxiety and snar-
ing his sorrows, she listened 10 the overlures
Of VILLAIN, and forgetting every tie OF nature,
law Of virtue, and command Of religion, She left
her infant daughter, her husband and home,
and eloped with her seduce,. This disgrace,
added to the utter ruin of his fortune, so affect
ed MIR. Stamford, that he survived but a few
weeks. Before his death he acknowledged the
injustice with which he aad treated the anna
bic Mary, and recommended bis child TO her
protection. Mary Cour,land was already mar
red TO man who deserved and possessed her
devoted affection; and they received and che
rished the little orphan as THEN own daughter.
Mrs. CORTLAND was overwhelmed with the
disappointment Of her expectations for her ia
vorite; and her undisciplined mind soon yield
ed TO the violence of her engs. She became
deranged, and in fiji of Insanity, threw herself
inro we'll where her existence soon termina-
ted. 1t was abou: four years after the elope-
menl of Miranda before they heard syllable
concerning her. Then arrived letter from
the culprit herself, directed to her father. She
was in Quebec, deserted BY her paramour, dy-
ing of want and disease; and she entrea,ed his
forgiveness for herself and protection for her
little son. She did not mention her sister, but
the kind hearted Mary no sooner learned her
distress, than, forgetting or forgiving all her
unkindness and faults, she with her husband
set off 10 seek and comfort the poor ptnitent.
They found her just in time to speak comfort 10
her really contrite spirit, and she breathed her
last siph on the bosom of her weeping sister.