The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-08-23
SELECTED TALES.
From Chambers Edinburgh Journal
THE LOST FLOWERS.
a SCOTTISH STORY.

THE LOST FLOWERS.
SCOTTISH STORY.
Ii was beautiful morning in Nav, when
Jeanie Gray, with small bundle in her
hand took her leave of the farmhouse of
Dry-law on the expiration of her half years
term of service. She had but a short dis
tance to walk, the village of Elsngton, a
short three miles off, being her destinations.
As she passed down tho lane leading from
the farm TO the main road, two or three fair
haired children came bounding over a stile
to her side, and cung affectonntely round
their late attendant. "Oh, Jeanie, what for
maun you gang away? Mamma wadna
let us see you on the road bit, but we wan
ava to you by rinnln' round the stack yard"
Jeanie stood still as the eldest of her late
charges spoke thus, and said Marian, you
should have mair sense than to come when
your mother forbad you. Rim away back,
like guide BARNS, continued she, caresslng
them kindly rim away hame. I'll may
be come and see you again" 'Ob, be sure
and do that then, Jcanie,' said the eldest
Come back again, Jeanie, cried the youn-
ger ones, as they turned sorrowfully "a
way.
From such marks of affection, displayed
by these who had been under her care, our
readers may conceive that Jeanie Gray was
possessed of engaging and amiable quail
ties. This was indeed the case, a more
modest and kind-hearted creature, perhaps,
never drew the breath of life. Separated at
an early age from her parents, like so mauy
Of her class-that class SO perfectly repre-
sentcd iii the character of Jenny, in the
in the Cottar's Saturday Nght-she had
conducted herself, in the several families
which she had entered, in such u way as to
acquire uniformly their love and esteem.
Some mstresses, it is true, nre scarcely able
to appreciate a good and dutiful servant, and
of this class was Mrs. Smith, of Drylaw, a
cold, naughty, mistrustful womaa, who, hav-
ing suffered by bad servants, had come to
look upon the best of them as but sordid
workers for the penny fee. To such n per:
son, the timdity and reserve which distn-
guished Jeanie Gray's character to n fault,
seemed only screen, cunningly and delb-
erately assumed; and the proud distance
which Mrs. Smith preserved, prevented her
from seeing her error. Excepting for the
sake of the children, therefore, it is not to
be wondered at that Jeanie felt no regret at
leaving Drylaw.
Her destination, on departing from her
late abode, was as we have already men
toned, the village of Elsington, and it is
now necessary that we should dyulgc a
more importunt matter-shc was going
there to be married. Jeanie Gray could not
be called beautiful girl, yet her cheerful
though pale countenance, her soft dark eye
and glossy hair, and her somewhat hand
some form, had attracted not few admirers
Her matrimonial fate, however, had been
early decidsd-and'the circumstances un-
der which it was about to be brought to a
happy issue, were most honorable to both
parties interested. AT the age Of eighteen,
Jeanle's healt had been sought and won by
William Ainslie, young tradesman in the
eighboring town.-Deep was the affection
that sprang up between the pair, but they
combined prudence with love, and resolved,
after binding themselves by the simple love
vows of their class to defer their union un-
I'll they should have earned enough to ensure
them happy and comfortable home. For
six long years had they been true to each
other, though they had met only at rare in
tervals during the whole of that period. BY
industry and good conduct, William had
managed to lay by the sum of forty pounds
n great deal, for one in his staton-and this
joined with Jeane's lesser earnings, had en-
couraged them to give way to the loug-
cherished wishes oft their hearts. A but-anl-
c-beH, or cottage with two apartments,
had been taken and furnished by William,
aud the wedding was to take place on the |
day following the May term, in the house Of
the brides sister-ln-law.
We left Jeanie Gray on her way from the
farmhouse of Drylaw. After her momen-
tary regret Mt parting with the children,
whom the afiectiomats creature dearly loved, 1
as she was disposed to do every thing
around her, her mind reverted naturally 10
the o5jec, that lay nearest her heart. The
bright sun above sen, his cheering radiance
the light tleecy clouds of The young
summer, the reyigifedtgees cast their shades
over her path, the merry lark rose leapingiy
from the field, aud the sparrow chIrruped
from the hedge at her side-cvery thing a.
round her brealhed of happiness and JOY,
aud her mind soon frightened into unison
with the pleasing influences. Yet ever and
anon u tiuiter ofindescribable emotion thrill
cd through the maiden's heart, and made
her cheeks tho unseeii, vary in hue. At
an angle OF the road, while she was NOV
ing along, absorbed IN her own thoughts. a
manly voice exclaimed, 'Jeanie . and a
we'll known form started up from a scat on
the wayside. |; was William Ajn,Iie
The converse shIcl, followed as The be-