Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1836-12-01
MISCELLANY.
THE BEAUTIFUL CONVICT.
7Ais singular Story is actually true.

Rose Mac Orne was rare sample Of
Scotch beauty. Her eyes deeply blue, as
Loeb Loinond; glowing cheeks; hair light
and glossy, parted over her broad forehead,
like folds of flax colored satin features
which shreWd aud active iniad had strone-
" developed; a tall, muscular frame, OF
stately proportions aud a firm, elastic raud
tread, which she had acquired in early days
when
Down the rcck She leaped along
Like rivule,s in May.
Her youth was unfortun ale, for her moth
cr had died during her intaacy and her prof
iigate and selfish father had abandoned her
before she had reached The aye of fifteen.
Many were anxious TO lake Rnsc into their
aervice; for she was neat and thrifty as a
brownie, and had the ohs-quious manner of
her couutrymen. united " ith their pro, erhi-
al knowledge %! the most drec, road to faver
and fortune. Her greatest misfortune vas
her beauty. Often. after the most unremit-
tel Efforts 10 please, poor Rose was accused
OF thousand faults, and dismissed by pru>
dent wives and mothers, lest she should be-
come too dear a servant. Scotch discrimina-
tlan soon discovered the source OF the diff,
Guilty, sad Scotch ambition resolved 10 make
the best of it,. To lovers Of her own rank,
she was alternately Winning and disdainful
charms, yet dealing out her scorn to each, as
their characters would bear. With her su-
periors she played deep and iasidious game.
trusting TO her own strength OF pride, she
resisted their arts, while she almost invaria-
oily made them the victims of her own In
all this, Rose WIS actuated by something
more than mere girlish love o! triumph:
she was ambitious, and had formed high
hopes of opuent marriage. Many Caniab
and Oxonion, many testy bachelor and
groaty widower, had got eniangled in her
ioils, and been eXtricaed only by the early
interference Of proud or prudent relations
Atiength, notwithstanding her modest man
ners aud apparent arilessness, the intrigues
OF Rose Mac Orne became as proyerbial az
her beauty she could obtain no service in
any family where there was youth to be
fascinated, or wealthy old age TO I've cajoled
Hearing that an East Indiaman was about
to sail, with many ladies on board, Rose Ie-
solved TO seek employment among them
and succeeded in being appointed dressing
maid to an elderly lady, who was going on,
10 Calcutta 10 reside with an invalid. India,
match making India! opened glorious pros
poets 10 Scotch ambition. Rose took unex-
ampled pains TO please her new mistress
and in two days she was decided favorite.
No wonder the gypsey began 10 feel proud
OF her power; for she never tried to please
without decidedly effeCting her purpose But
when was inordinate ambition known 10 be
safeguard either 10 talent or beauty. In two
days, Rose was 10 leave England, and her
mistress having granted her permission TO
attend the races, she as the last act of kind
ness 10 one Of her lovers, consented to ac-
company him. Rose was very fond of or
naments, and il CHANGED that her heart was
particularly set on pearl pin which her mis-
tress had said she seldom wore, ON account OF
its antique fashion. Rose had more than
once signified how pretty she thought it
and wondered II she was rich enough 10 buy
pearls whether they would become her full
and snowy neck. She dared not 10 ask Tor i,
outright: and she never in her life had
thought OF taking any thing dishonesty. But
vanity, yaDity-ihat foolish and coDtemp,i-
ole passion which has slain tie lens of thou.
sands, and that too among the fairest and
brightest Of Code works, prevailed over the
better feelings Of Rose Mac Orne She took
she envied pin, wore il 10 the races, heard
James Mac intyre praise it, told him her
new mistress had given il 10 her, and then,
dreading the discovery Of the fact, began to
devise schemes for exchanging the bauble.
The path oil sin is steep, and every step
preseason with accumulated power Rose
had already committed second crime 10
conceal the irst-snd now the hope Of secu-
rity urged her TO commi, others She sold
the breast pin and bought ring with the
money, in hopes The pearl wotld never be
inqaired for this side OF India But in this
she was mistaken--,hat very dap the lady
missed the jewel; and Rose went even deep.
er in fslsehood than was necessary TO keep
up appearances.
will not follow her through every step OF
this shameful struggle 1t is sufficient 10
ssy that the thief was dscoyered-snd Rose