Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-10-29

srOse, h1e was more man ever utcntlSe
TO her daily duties, and anxious 10 pro-
mote The happiness Of all around her :.
She never spoke Of Willis; and used,
sometimes, to think that tho tempest OF
sorrow she had been through, had shat
tered the fine fabric Of her mind. i had
heard of such instances; of the memory
Of some particular event being lost in
the agony Of its consummatIon. AT any
rate, | did not dire touch.the chord, lest
it should vibrate to madness.
As years passed on, Harriet, as ox-
pecicd, had many admirers. But she
quickly Dismissed them all, with codncss
aud dignity. She had mono Of the folly
about her that leads some females 10 Of
fer their j,iendship, forsoo,h, in the place
Of their hear,s-an offer, by The way,
which few men receive otherwise than
as an insult however kindly the lad Y may
seem disposed in the prolicr--and OF
which none avail themselves.
Harriet grew TO be less fair and al
iractivc in her person-tho habits Of her
mind had tinted her countenanco. | re-
me mber vlvIdIy her appearance, Que
bright evening in July, about ten years
after WllIis' death. should premise.
thu comparative poverty, had, for year
OF two, induced Us TO live very much sn-
cuded, and TO see no company which re-
qnircd expense. That she nigLi be able,
however, 10 pursue most oi those eIe-
CANT avoca,ions, which bad so long, been
her solacc and delight, and, at the sume
time ,bc onab.cd 10 bostOw her accu5tom-
ed charities, Harriet had been induced
TO deny herself every unnecessary addn.
ion to her wardrobe, and even TO toll dali
ly. The last exertlon had impaired her
health. Educated to every refinement
Of enjoy meni, with leisure at command,
tire reverse became too grea! for her
frame, already 80 enleebled by severe
shocks. On this evening, she sat wah
me in the window-soat have before de-
scribed. had asked her 10 play the
guitar for me, aud she was bringing out
tones OF the most exquisite richness and
dclicacy; her attenuated form, habit.d IN
simple muslin wrapper, seemed already
fit for heaven; while her large eyes were
lil!od to that hcayeQ, in sci entity and holy
peace, tho strong Z, ,hl Of the moon, as It
shone full in her face, gave her tho as
pcct OF a spirit, such as we dream of, af-
ter weeping long ,and sleeping from mere
exhaustion. AS looked on her placid
face, saw tho fixed expression Of loltI-
moss give place to almost wild earnest
ness, and move as if in intense supplica-
ton. | now remembered that the air
she was playing was favorte one Of
Willis, aud the one she had played to
him the very day he died. A memory
Of something agonizins seemed to come
over her spirit; for her eye flashed with
an unearihly brightness, and her cheek
blanchod to mortal paleness. was
thankful to be interrupted, by step, ap-
proaching the thicky embowered avenue
that led to our dwelling. II came rapidly
round tho house; and, entering at the
low window, surprised and delighted Us
with the sight Of an old friend. The
tones of hlarity and checrlulness which
succeeded the Stiffness or Il moment pre-.
vlous, seemed 10 have banshod The re
collection Of past days from Harriet.
mind She welcomed Eugene llallel
with all the cordial warmth OF her nature
and the friendship due TO their early ac
1uain,ance. He had been absent from
his country for many years, and now re-
turned, with wealth, and, what nude
wealth valuable, heart to appreciate
the bonntes Of Providedce-a heart too
full Of nobleness, faith and honor--iul
Of feeling and refinemcnt-nnd more thar
all that, very frankly and fully devoted
to my sister. The last mentioned par
iicular he confidcd to me, requesting m,
opinion on the probable success Of al
application to herself. ! told him he
story, and my uncertainty with regard Il
her feelings at present, over her memo
ry on the subject. He tod me, after
nights reflection, that he would vcntw'
to speak to her himself. Il have al
ways loved her and now, though sh
il the wreck Of the loyclincss she was
whom left America, | still worship tina
pure and beautiful dove, as mteniIy u
ever. You say she may have no hear
to give--Il may be buried Still, ma
be allowed TO watch over her life an
comfort, and timo, perhaps, may win 70
inc her love. To see her placid and hap
py, will DO enough for me, if I, indeed
cannot look farther. At any rate. wr
try
IIo did try and Harriet wept lon
aud bitterly, as sho entered into full C,
plant ton Of her feelings. She told hir
il was impossible she should ever MARI
any ono Il am married, Eugene--to ih
grave. Every thought, every wish, ovc
I ry hope, is connected with, and devote
J to, that oncc-lovcd, idoIized being, VIII