Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-04-02
PROVIDENCE.
CLARA DE CLARE.

listening TO tho whlstlngs OF the March winds,
and casting an occasional glance at a pile of
manuscrp pit which lay before us, we were arous-
ed fom our le,hargy, by the elatter of the
street door knocker Uncle Obed, was To-
Gated near the corner OF the fire plaoc--cousin
Harry sat next to him, reading Irvine's life
and voyages Of Columbus--cousin Julia, was
eagerly pcrusing Scott's "Taes of my Grand
father and aunt Hannah - venerable shade
! ofa once bright reality-reclined her aged head
on her withered hand, and read the prophetic
language of the Prophet Isiah, as recorded in
the fifty-third chapter Of the Book of that Pa
triarch Again the knocker ratified against
the door, and aunt Hannah closing the vol
ume Of holy wrlt-directed Charlotte, to wait
upon the stranger. Charlotte is a good ma
commands Of her aged mistress, in few mo-
meEts returned, and handed in young girl, ap-
parently fifteen or sixteen years Of age, who
bushed immoderately as she entered the apart
ment, and gazed upon the audience. She was
neatly clad in coarse fabric, chequcred apron
mantled a clean calico gown, and plain white
kerchief, gracefully thrown over her bosom,
added in no small degree to enhance the witch
cry Of her person, whilst a cottage straw bon
nett, line and trimmed with crimson silk gave
an additional flush to her ruddy and healtEful
countenancc. AS Charlotte ha ndcd the stran-
ger in. aunt Hannah laid down the bible, and
pulling down her specks, said to her rather
sarcasicaIy and well Miss, pray what do you
want-vhy do you call thus lato in the eve-
nng:'
| The lovely girl bllshcd a tear stood in her
eye, and tremblingy alive to the de.icacy Of
her situation, she replied in an undertonc
voice.
| :; was informed Ma'am, that You wanted to
hire help, and was fearful that YOU might
get supplied if delayed a moment l thought
that would call instantly, and thus anticipate
the applications of others
'Wsll, we'll, child replied aunt Hannah, Il
declare you talk quite smart about matters, but
tell me child, what can you do, if take You
into my service
"What can | ;" returned the anxious girl,
81 can do every thing, any thing indeed
madam you will fad very serViceable if
J you will but employ me. I'll work for you by
day and by night, and if can but save enough
! from the avails of my labor to assist my poor
dear mother, and her little Jane, | shall be
so rcjoiccG, that nothing can sadden me,
and shall bless my God that he formed me
to make my mother happy"
"Ah child" said aunt Hannah, you seem
! to be afflicted, and pray tell me, have you no
friends to alleviate your stuation-have you
no kind bcnefictor, TO aid You in LIES Pilgrim
age-no friend to educate and prepare you for
the paths Of usefulness
" No indeed madam" responded the defect
cd ard heart-sickenod girl, &C have no friend
to look up TO, hut mother, and sho is sick and
distressed hel pless and dcspondcnt, and de-
pends Upon me for the lrta support she de-
rivcs from the cold charite les of the world But
| have in Heaven, parent, friend. and beno-
a ctor who has taught me, that in the midst Of
my affections, he will remember mercy, and
suffer none to dspai-, who conido in his prom
ise, and obey his commands"
Aunt Hannah, was deeply onoctcd--she
wiped her aged eyes, and Uncle Obedah, di-
vert from bis book, pulled back his night
cap, and for moment gozod upon the inter
csiing stranger Cousin Harry, had not been
unmindful Of the far supplian', and unuckly
for the poor girl, just at that moment, when
aunt Hannah was abont to give Clara an en-
gagomcnt. cast at her n rougish glance Of
his eye and thus conveyed language not to
| bo misunderstood. The glance did not escape
the observation of aunt Hannah, and when
she saw il was returned by Clara, she drop
ped her staff in rage, ard ringing for Char
| loitc, excl,imsI put tho aggage out Of the
door this instant Lofty out with her the
Sybil that she is r'--Tho order was promptly
obeyod, and the wrctched Clara with streaming
| cyes, was turned from the door, amid the dark
ness, Of the night and compelled to seek for
safety aud for succor, in the streets.
Obediah would have forbidden the order, but
he dared not, and IIarry-the rougish Harry,
lamcned the unlucky glance he bad given the
innocent and unsuspociing girl" Obcdiah was
confpunded and rising from his seat, with
mach emotion he exclaimed. q" in the name of
| all that is charitable Hannah, what DO you
mean' why is that young girl turned out of our
hospitablo mansion ~
"That young girl," said aun, Hannah, els
a downright baggagc-a rormeni, and do Won
suppose, that would have her in my housc'---
did you not notice tho mods and ~inks that