Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-01-23

I
10 the custom among tho French villa
gers, 10 invite oil strangers 10 their ru-
raj entertainments, consequently Ber-
tram (the name Of the strangely was
invited TO participate in Mary's birth day
festival The morning which ushered
IN the day on which it tool. place was
n Of uncommon splcIdour. The sun
shone brilliantly, the sky looked clear,
and almost transparent, whilst the cool
breeze that rustlcd through the bushes
purified and refreshed the atmosphere.
As the village maidens gathered togeth.
or beneath the wild vines that surrounded
tho cottage, twining wreaths Of fresh
flowers around thor bright f%orehcads,
aud singing sketches Of their romantic
and pastoral ballads, they seemed a
choir Of vestal virgins celebrating the
annual festival Of Flora-Many Of them
sparklcd 10 the clear sunlight Of beauty
but far beyond all others, glowed in hor
unalloycd simplicity. Of innocence aud
elegance, was the gentle Mary. Her
deep black :resscs foatcd in loose ring
let's over her snowy neck, and the cloar
b.uo Of her eye seemed to have caught
The glance Of the sun beams as they
sportively flashed on her long eye ashes.
Her lip was thin, but beautifully curved.
polished and round, and its dye vas like
the deep gush Of the coral. in fine,
she was the lovelicst among the lovely,
and the glad echo Of her laugh: as it
came forth from its incense and music
thrilled on the soul OF the nearer with
an unin,aginablc emotion. The power
Of her smile was electric, and possessed
the strength Of tho basilisli without its
mingliug of horrible fascination Venus
sat upon her eyclids, whilst Cupid threw
forth his darts from beneath their FIRM
yes.
Oh God! who tha: looked upon that
young creature, bursting forth in the
mildncss Of her beauty, like a rosebud
in tho wilderness, could have meditated
her rain?-Who that gazed upon tho in
nocen, trancendency other c%ountcnance
could have proposed to bind the cypress
whore the rose was blooming, and sub
st,tute IL line Of care, for a dimple Of
laughter? Gaily the day Of fes,ivity pass
ed, and when twilight threw its meIan-
choly tingc over nature, the village
youths mingled with the maidens in the
exhiliatory dance upon the green swad.
Many an humble heart aspired to become
the partner Of the beautiful Mary, and
felt a cold thrill pass over it as they be-
hold her, set after set, the companion Of
the stranger. His attentions to her were
of the most snbduing and %insinuating
character, and whilst the peasants envied
him his superior fortune, they felt o n
scious that they never could have inn
proved it as he appeared to do. The
pleasure of the a%rtless Mary was made
manifest in a thousand unconscious acts
and observations, and when the pastimes
ceased, her heart felt a new sensation
as the stranger raised her hand to his
lips bidding her farewell. What feelings
passed through his mind we arc unable
to say. lie remained in the village how
ever, for weeks after this circumstance,
and missed no opportunity to become
more intimate with Mary, and when he
loft The SPOT, it vas with a promise to re-
turn again within a month. YEARLY was
that season passed by the artlcss creature,
and unknowingly of tho deep conse-
quences Of her frequent meditations, did
she ponder upon the pleasing and COM
manding stranger. The month finally
elapsed, and as another pressed upon its
departure, Bertrand returned 20 Dermo-
ley, with his purpose strengthened to be-
tray that innocent creature. Of all the
arts he put ia requisItion for the further
anco Of his demoniac purpose, and ofall
the sophistry he used in overcoming her
virgin principles, it is unnecessary to
speak. He was a man Of the world, one
who lad mingled in fashionable lifo-she
was the daughter Of a peasant, and her
heart was as unsophistieatod as the
chaunt ofthc woodland songster. Youth
and beauty sat upon his countenance,
cloquence and love fell from his lips
Mary became his victim, and her poor
mother died broken hearted, aud the fin
ger Of scorn followed the footsteps ofthe
wretched girl for years, when she at
length sunk into the tomb, wretchcd, for
gotten and unknown. Bertram revealed
in the pride Of his depravity for a season,
but was at length overtaken by poverty,
became a miserable bcggar, and persisted
in q fl Of intoxication. Ifthere Is q hell,
it will be the home Of the libertine, and
il any sin should be punished with an
eternity of anguish, it is the horrible
crime Of seduction. ROMEO.
From the Boston Traveller.
THE DEVIL AND THE BELL ROPE.