Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-12-27
THE VICTIM.

Where sweely lost, he of would weirl!
That iornl lie loved, he marks no more,
Those scenes adn ircd, no more shall see
Tirose scenes lovely us before,
And she as fair, but where is lrei--NEELE.
AT The close Of tranquil day in The
autumn of l3-, | ascendcd the gentle
emlnencc which o,crlooks the pleasant
village Of W, situated in one of
the most delightful regions of Pennsyl-
vanla. l had accepted an invitation from
my companion,-a travelling artist--tOi
accompany him on pleasant tour in
search OF health, which residence in
the city during the intense heat OF sum
mer had not little impaired. My friend
gazed with all the admiration of paint
er upon the prospect which lay sDread
out before as. The mountains which en-
vironed the little town, rose dim and in
distinct in the distance-and delicate
blue haze, like the faintest tints Of a fin
ished picture, had gathered over their ir-
regular undulations, as they lay reposing
in that mellow light which attends the
gorgeous setting OF an autumn sun.
The little village beneath our feet was
white dweilings,w pleasant enclosures,
were scattered along tire broad street,
and here and there arose a aaansion, in
dicating by its outward sealb,ance Of vii
lage splendor, the superior condition of
its occupants. We aIighled at the viii
lagc mn, and on the following morning
: my friend exhibited specimens of his art
to the citizens, who chanccd to drop in, =,
and to whom our host had impaired the
information that an artist had arrived
, Before noon the intelligence was gener-
ally diffused ,-and many Il village beau
! ty gazed on the painters efforts, with
beaming eyes, and heart that beat joy
fully in the anticipation OF seeing familiar
faces transferred TO the canvass. Be-
fore we retired to rest at night, we had
arranged our plan for stay Of two
months in the delightful borough Of w
-. Our books were taken from oul
trunks-our port; ;foiios arranged--anG
our drawing, fishing, and hunting mate
rials placed in order for future service.
/ was IA privileged visitor to my friends
apartment, while he was engaged in his
avocations. 1 had, he kindly believed,
some conversational powers, and was
therefore considered as not inadequate to
the task of engaging the attention, and
keeping alive the spirits of his subjects
This employment became, at last, to be
peculiarly delightful. look back, even
now, with memory chastened and mel
lowed by tho lapse Of time, upon the
sweet and ingenious faces--the faiI
forms ard bright eyes-which lent q
charm to the happiest hours Of a not un.
eventful life.
One afternoon l had been busyine
my self with a new and interesting work
and had neglected, until quite iatt
hour, my visit ut the artists room.-
; When | entered, lively little girl raj
towards me, and taking hold of my hand
looked up innocently into my face, ex
= claiming with childish eagerness-''P,
is going to buy new picture-and an
gong TO have one--and so is my little
brother" led the happy child towards
the window, where my friend was en-
gagged at his eazel. "A young gentle
man was sitting at the window, with ,
bold light falling upon his countenance
and a gentle autumn wind was dallyin.
with his rich, dark hair. A fair form
b., leaned over his chair, and a small white
= hand was adjusting his truant curls.-
The face Of the lady was perfect
There were no ornaments about her per
son. Her hair-a light brown--wa!
parted over a high intellectual brow
and the happy glance of her mild blue
eve gave additional beauty to a mouth
from which, when mantle6 with smile
the laughing dimples seemed to rur
: sporting along beneath the white, trans
parent skin. The formalities of an in
PRODUCTION were soon accomplished--ant
|" the next hour made me as pleasantly &C
quainted with that happy husband an'
= wife, as if we had been on terms Of init
macy for months. Nearly every day 70
.wo weeks, | met them in the artist
O apartment. They were sitting, with thei
two beautiful children, for family group
d and lovely groupe twas. ! was in
vited to visit them at their dwelling, j
company with my friend. 1t was one c
the mansions whose unusual eleganc
had elected our admiration as we frs
entered the village. There were ,isibl
in every thing about it, evidences Of re
fined taste, & a cultivated life-weath
9 without extravaganza, and elegant com
forts, without baneiul luxuries. During
our stay, the mansion of the GRErs wal
my principal resort, and marking the true
enjoyment of that happy family, constltu
ted the purest source ofmy enjoyment
i Two short years after leaving W
II J,r;,,, ,vb;ch t;rn. the remembrance q