The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-08-08
SELECTED TALES.
THE REPOSITORY.

81 cannot account for il, mother, but /
feel so anxious, and SO timid at the thought
of going to the Repository fear the la
dies, who manage the establishment, may
not think these things worthy Of place in
it, said Caroline Bradley. in low voice, to
her grief-woru widowed parent, as the lat
ter set holding on her knee and to her boz
som air-hcaded boy, whose pale coun.
tenance and suaken eyes testified that sick
ness and want had recently been, excrting,
but too strongly, their banefu influence up
OIL his frame.
"And yet continued Caroline, in n
still more subdued tone. poor Alice was
always thought to draw aud color so well y
The mother sighed doeply-cas,ing at the
same time mournfulIy expressive glance
towards Il corner of the meanly furnished
apartment, where lay asleep, on low cur
tanless bed the fever wasted form of her
fair haired und once blooming Aice--ber
beloved FIRST born. A tear dropped from
the parents eyes. Caroline observed the
look aud its results. 'Oh, mother' she
exclaimed, you do not think Aice-our
own dear Alicc--worse She has slep,
soundly for these two or three hours, aud
We were told, you remember, that this
would be favorable sign; this is the first
:imc she has slept so calmly aud swee,ly.'
Again The mothor cast her eye on the form
that reposcd on the humble couch, and
said with a snd expression, | would moi
canselessIy depress your hopes, my kind
Caroline, and do think that tho violence
0fthe fever is abaled with Alice, as it has
been for some days with this poor boy but
her fathers death weighs sadly upon her,
aud there is another crushing load that
lies upon her young affections ;--havc you
not heard her murmer, in her broken
dreams. the name of her betrothed, and
speak TO him as If she believed him TO he
under The deep sen Edward Omer's si-
lence for year, or rather his deferred re-
turn, was pressing gricyously, through Sc
cretly, upon your sister, before this illness,
Caroline, aud now il is Fastening her
Tears stopped the mothers speech, and
Caroline could not, aud did not a,temp, to
reply.
But, Caroline, my duteous, affection
ate Caroline, continued Mrs. Bradley,
when she had regained her composure 10
tpbiV bIthbhIt, We Wnot UOL Cthtt W "a
ert ourselves: for while there is life there IL
hope. You have borne uncon,plnlningly,
my child, the loss Of fortune and friends
you have been minisicring spirit by your
fathers death-bed, and have followed his
remains 10 the grave; you have performed
every household drudgery, and have en-
dared, unrcplnngly, the neglect and scorn
of those around us; all this you have done,
my good child, and yon must bear on for
the sake Of these helpless ones and me.
Yes, and dear other exclaimed Caro-
line, rising and throwing her arms around
her parents neck, yes, I understand you
Il will 90 at once to the Repository 1T
is our last resource, Caroline, for our mo-
ney is nearly exhausted.
Go, my dearest girl, do not blame
you for being ,imid, and reluctant to make
this first attempt to sell our liule articles
can fully enter into your feelings; but lie
who has armed you To undergo so much,
will support you STILL No more, mother
it is enough cried Caroline and immc-
diateIy she put on her bonnet, took up
her little parcel, and left the humble abode
which conioincd the wreck of her fallen
family
Caroline Bradley soon arrived ot. the Re-
posi.ory, on establishment (it is scarcely
necessary TO tell our readers) where small
ornamental articles Of female workman
ship were purchased and sold, and institu-
ted and managed by number of respecia-
BILE ladies. Caroline tremblingly knocked
at the door Of this place, and op its being
opened, was ushercd ialo back apartment,
where several females we're waiting with
the same object rs berselc-These indyd-
uals, however, unlike the new conner, were
cheerful and happy, and as they waited to
he received in turns, engaged themselves
in light conversation. Poor Caroline
placed herself in 4 corner, and sat unheeded
by one Of her temporary companions. who,
indeed, seemed to despise the unknown
stranger, suired as she wns in n sorely
worn black cloak, and large faded bonnet,
which completely covered up her fine fea-
lures. The object of their neglcct-nsy,
we are sorry to say, of their sneers--hceded
them not; her thoughts had wandered
back to that poorly furnished home, where
her beloved sister and brother lauguished iu
sickness sud sorros. Tue image Of her