Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-09-03


unfrequenlly became the butt Of ideot ldicule.
As she approached maturity, her situation
became more irksoms. Her mind becoming
improved by reading; her person bursting forth
into full blown beauty, she felt keenly the state
Of degradation to which penury had reduced
her. She painted for the society % some per-
son, with whom she could hold communion. to
whom she could develope the noble conceptions
Of her expanded soul Her mind had generated
| a fictitious being over whom her fancy had
thrown the discordant tints of hero Of ro-
nance. On this imaginary being she woI!'i
ponder in her solitary walks, and as the fervor
of her emotions kindled into enthusiasm she
would lift her eyes to heaven and invoke the
father of all good, to hasten the day when she
should meet with this kindred spirit and End
father, friend and brother in the idol Of her
airy devotons; and Heaven (was It Sin anger!o
granted her prayer!
Twas on a cool Sabbath evening. when, in
vted by the pleasantness of the weather, Mary.
with surcharged heart, wandered out farther
grove--alI was silent save the melody of the
sylvan songstero and the lulling roar Of distant
cascade. She seated herself upon rock anu
was watching the hlgh.sailing queen of night,
when voice of deep-toned pa,hos burst upon
her ear. "'Tis not at home," cried the stron-
ger, "tis not in foreign climes--Oh America,
thy wilds afford it not, nor is il found as erst
by the noddng towers Of these famed lands
No. the days Of chivalry are past. and now
mankind arc sunk in siupor-fhsir eyes once
won't TO glow with the noble passions of the
soul, are dazzled by the glare Of lucre, and man
but lives to build himself costly sepulchre.
Oh! for one true, constant soul-one kindred
spirit one mind fraught with the god-l;ke vir.
tues of our noble ancestorsr' The voice ceased
and Mary not doubling but that special
nterposnion Of providence had thrown this
mysterious beng in her way, arose and looking
around. was about to give full vent to her I'M
passioned feelings in case she should be so
happy as to meet his glance. But when her
eyes rested upon beautiful figure, reclining
against tree, a youth Of the most noble ioIm
she had over conceived. whose limbs rescmbled
cunning device Of the statuary, whose high.
swelling breast resembled the front Of Ulysses,
and whose noble, but pensive countenance
beamed with "eyery nameless grace dvine,''
she quailed beneath the bold gaze Of his dark
eye and blushed like dropping rose. She
soon perceived that however original might be
his turn Of thought, he was too we'll versed in
the rules Of etiquette to take advantage of her
situation. He simply bowed and turned away.
She followed him with her eyes, and dropped
an involuntary tear. AT that instant he chanced
to look back--He returned and yolunte cred
bis services TO accompany her home. She
timidly accepted them.
His conversation, at first, was quito common
place, and partook more OF the nature of the
man Of the world. than Of the romantic
and hgh-souled being which he had at
first seemed 20 be; but as he penetrated the
disposition Of his charge, and became sensible
Of the mistake under which he had labored in
respect to her, he gradually lost his restraint
and disclosed TO the view Of Mary a soul
fraught with every sublime and elevated feel
ng-shc could not conceal her admiration and
gave full von, to her bswitching enthusiasm,
but the height Of her wishes was realized when
he turned towards her suddenly and cried out
"Are these sentiments still alve Does earth
yet contain one whose eagle spirit towers
above the craven laws Of cuslem and reflects
the dazzling brliance of the sun of Truth
yes, thou art a child Of nature, and the
worlds breath leaves thee, still gistenrg
like true steel. in spite Of education and trad,t-
ion.''
Mary answered with sigh.
He started and seemed to be unpleasantly
affected by it. He changed the conversation
and in expatiating on the scenery OF her coun-
try gave her to understand that lie was an
American, making a tour through England and
Scotland, but, impatient TO turn TO his native
land, as he had connexions and friends at home
whom he was ANXIOUS to meet. When they ap-
proa ched the humble cottage where Mary resi-
dee. he would have gone by; but she turned
towards the house and informed him that was
the place Of her abode.
He seemed surprised and she observed his
emotion II was too late to rfIoct indifference
and he broke forth into the following mpass-
ioned strain:-"I. this your dweliing' how un-
worthy the fair inhahitant! yet, it was in such
a cot that the peerless Catharina was reared
may some worthy hand transplant thee 10 a
more eongenial soil for never was ono so de-
serving Of a throne or so fit TO sway a sccp,re
as your matchless selfp' He received per. |
nissinn In sae her nnain- and nre ssina her |