Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-03-08
[From the Saturday Courier.
MARIA, THE ORrHAN-OR TIE
FORCE OF PRINCIPLE.
BY A LADY OF THE COUNTRY.

BY LADY OF THE COUNTRY
funeral procession passed slowly ut
fremont street. aud entered the venerable
burial place attached to the Stone Chapel
There were deposited the remains of Mrs
Lawrence, and with them the pecuniary de-
pendence of two orphan daughters.
Mrs. Lawrence, until a year previous 10
her death, had lived in the greatest cpulence:
but, unfortunately, her husband became
surety for friend to a large amount, which
he was obliged to redeem. This, added to
many other losses left him with Il compara.
tive small pittance for himself and family
This blow was too great for hun. What give
up his fine residence, his splendd furniture
and carriage, and come down to the vulgar
method of living? No he could not-he
would not-and the grief occasoned by this
change IN his fortunes soon caused his death.
Ills wife bore her trials with Christian like
fortltude. With the small life annuity which
she possessed, she found an agreeable home
in the family of a distant relative. She de.
voted her time to the Improvement of her
eldest daughter, Elizabeth, and in watching
the unfolding beauties of her little rose bud,
as she fondly termed Maria.
The struggle Of noble soul, contending
against afllicton, is often too great for lis
G.,
cord which had been too tightly strung, snap
ped suddenly asunder, its ETHEREAL tones still
thrilling the hearts Of its auditors.
The family with whom Mrs. Lawrence
resided kindly offered to take charge of
Elizabeth (now nine years of age) and bestow
Oh her good education. But Maria-who
would supply the place Of mother to her {?
No one seemed inclined 10 take care of a
child two years nld.
How ephemeral the friends Of the present
dHy.-They futter around the glare and
splendor of wealth, and bask in its sunshine :;
but, extinguish its blazonry, and where are
they' Like the insect they personate, they
fly to some illumination, and are seen no
more.
Accordingly none offered to supply the
place of mother to Mpria, until Mr. and Mrs
Harris, vito had been befrended by Mrs.
Lawrence in her days prosperity, and were
distantly related. They resided about fifty
miles from Boston.
Twill be but a poor place for a gentle
mans darter,' said Mrs. Harris, but perhaps
when she gets bigger, some of her Boston
relations will make lady of her.
Maria was happy in her new home. A |
ride IN the Wagon was as agreeable as |
carriage. Aunt Hannah's turnover and lit
tie cake on baking day pleased her as well
as the rich conlectlonary her mamma used to
give her. The check linen frock in summer,
the red and blue worsted in winter were
quite as comfortable as the satin and merino
to which she had been accustomed and
though she said Stick! Stick Aunt Han. II
nan, when the coarse woollen stockings were
put on her delicate little feet, she forgot It, in
looking at the boys as they coasted down the
stn hIIl af tha .arA 4 4
In ch'ldhood, the country seems peculiarly
adapted to the unfolding capacities.
The youthful exuberance of spirits has free
scope. All nature, animal and vegetable, H
bursting into life and activity, appears to
with the expanding mind better than
the confined limits of the city. H
Maria's growth was remarkably forward
She pursued her studies at the district school, II
from books furnished by her sister Elizabeth,
who made long visit at Aunt Hannah's IN
The summer season. and impaired all the II
knowledge her sisters mind could receive.-II
These visits proved Of great benefit to Maria,
who, though unacquainted with city life. was
IN elegant little girl and readily distinguished
rom any child in the village. II
No change occurred in Maria's situation,
intil the summer she completed her eleventh |
year. During the recess Of her school, one
Inc afternoon in August, splendid summer
vehicle passed the school.house. The chill
lren, with one accord, dropped their most
profound courteses, when joyful cry of ISIS
er Elizabeth Sister Elizabeth :" caused the
'arrlage to stop. A gentleman alghted, and
for Miss Lawrence. Maria ran
,astily forward, and in few minutes was
eated by her sister. II.
After mutual interchange Of affection be-
wecn the sisters, Elizabeth introduced to
darla, MIR. Arthur Ellingwood as her brother.
harla's surprise at first overcame her natural
ollteness, but soon recovering herself she
'reeted him with her sweetest smiles. and
imprinted kiss on his check, which was
warmly reciprocated. ls
% sister why did you not come before PIX
fy roses oil bloomed and faded, without your
aying one my strawberry bed was loaded +,
nth the finest fruit, but they all decayed I
'ould not toueh them till you came. Then I !,
lcked and picked whortleberries till was
red. ] don't know how many times have /,
altered fresh bushes TO adorn your fayorite "
tile cbamber-but twas oil in vain. Aunt U
annah had letter from Boston the otlnr
~, but would not tell me the contents =
The very counterpart OF yourself sweet y
izabeth,' said Arthur, 'srtless and unsopbis- }
,sted.