Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-11-29
OR. THE GIRLS OF SIXTEEN.

Ellen Lee was the daughter of a re-
spectacle merchant, who left her a small
fortune, and a good name.-Her moth
er died when she was quite a child; but
her situation was not as desolate as ma
ny Orphans,-fOr she had near relations
who were tenderly attached to her, and
who gave her such an education, as was
likely TO make her an intelligent and
am,able woman She was not what the
world calls beautiful. Had a novelist
made her his heroine, he could not with
truth, hi We described her as possessing
'ssparkllng black eyes," a finely arched
neck, or IAN exqnisiteIy moulded FORM
yet Ellen was by no means plain in her
personal apprenticeship motions were
easy, and somewhat graceful, and her
face had an interesting expression, which
made ons wish to become acquainted
with her. Her manner were modest,
and SO very retiring, that strangers tho't
hor naughty, but her companions knew
that it was d'fidence, and not pride, that
made her so shy in forming friendships,
and she was a general favorite among
them. But Ellen, with all her good
qualities, had one fault, which often led
her to form wrong opinions, and To con
nit wrong action; she was apt to be-
come prrjud'ced for, or against people,
from very slight or unreasonable eau
ses.
When Ellen was nearly sixteen, a
girl Of very different character, came to
reside in the village, named Julia Ar
mold. Ellen was fearful Of offending,
and seldom spoke harshly Of any one,
unless her prejudices made her forget
full. julia, though really amiable in her
feelings, often used blunt and ill-tImed
expressions; but in one thing, they were
very much alike-they both took up vio-
lent prejudices.
"lNho is that stiff, cold, heartless crea-
ture, that we saw this morning at Mrs.
G's!" said Julia Arnold at dinner
Z" am sure | never shall like her!'
"~Indeed!" replied her friend Caro-
line; "did you converse much with herr
She is generally thought to be very
pleasing in conversation, and agreeable
in her manners"
"WelI, | have taken a great dislike to
her. l can't bear her how "a you
Caroline"
81 love her, Julia, because she is gen
tie and amiable, and because she loves
me. Besides, you have given no rea-
son, why You should think Of her as you
do. 1t Is prejudice"
"Oh! no, C~aroIine-did you see how
coldly she received me, hardly conde-
%scending to answer my questions, and
barely treating me with common civil
ty? | do not, cannot love such people
Il assure you It is not prejudice"
Strange as it may appear, the man.
ners Of Ellen Lee towards Julia Arnold,
plainly showed, hat she also had formed
the same hasty and un%accountabIe opin-
ion Of her. So, that without the least
reason on the part Of either of the com
panions, they were bitterly opposed to,
and displeased with each other. Such
are the effects of prejudice.
A short time after, a walk to a delight
lul spot in the vicinity, was proposed.
i, was upon the banks of a noble river,
which flowed silently and calmly down,
at the foot Of its rocks, and Iaved the
pine-roots, which were Struggling along
their edges. 1t was indeed, a lovely
spot. The day was fne-it was in June
and there had fallen a gentle shower in
the morning, which had perfuned the
air, and cast a more verdant tint over
all the surrounding hills, Nature was
never more beauteous-Never did she
call louder upon mankind,
"To seek the distant hills, and there converse
With nature; there to harmonic his heart,
And in pathetic song, to breathe around
The harmony to Others"
Ellen and Julia had long looked for
ward to the pleasure Of visiting this de-
lightful retreat with their young compan-
ions; but when arrived at the end Of their
excursion, litlle events occurred which
marred the pleasure, and broke in upon
the harmony Of the party. Julia Arnold
seated herself upon a little knell of tuft-
ed grass beneath a rock, upon the sum-
NIT Of which, waved a beautiful and sha-
dy pine. Before her was another sea,
very similar in its appearance, upon which
she laid her hat and gloves; and, as il
happened, just as Ellen Lee was about
to occupy it. Ellen thought she had
done this with the intention Of depriving
her Of the seat, and therefore turned her
back to Julia, and uttered more audibly
than was entirely polite-"How rude!"
-Again-when Julia raised her hat and
gloves from the knoll, and would have
apologised for having placed them there
10 the way she did, Ellen began to play
with one Of the little girls, and would pay
no attention to her, seeming indeed, not
10 notice her. unnn which. the latter In