Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1839-08-13

on the small pension that was gwen him by
government reward for his long and
valuable services. She had lost her moth
or almost before she knew her. and all her
fihal affection was ccntcrod in her only sur
wing parent her heart she had bestowed
upon Edmund, and he was by no means in
sensible 10 the value of the gift. They had
been companions from their infancy. An
their rccollectons of time past were the
same, for all their amuscmcnts and studies
had been similar. But Edmund had made
considerable more progress than Florence.
Nature had heaped upon him all those men
tai ondowmonis that constitute genius
She had given him mind capable of the
most profound aspirations; heart that
could feel more deeply, fancy thai could
wing a boldcr fight, than those of most 9th
or youths of his age. He. as yet, knew
nothing of the state of society beyond the
limits Of Woodburn. He had never been
more than twenty miles from home in his
life. But he was now eighteen, and Flor
ence only one year younger. They had
ceased to be boy and girl. She, indeed,
would have been contentcd 20 have contin-
ued as she was forever, blessed with her faith
! er's and lovers affection more than happy
in the discharge of her domestic duties, in
/ her books her bees, her fruits and her flow
/ ers But Edmund, although he loved her
with all the enthusiasm of first love, had
more ambition in his nature. He wished TO
mingIe with the crowd in the pursuit oil
| glory, and he had hopes that he might out
strip some OF his competitors. Besides, he
was not possessed of an independent for
| tune and cXertlon, therefore, became du-
ty. His resolution was at once formed he
determined to Xix his residence in London
for AT least couple of years, and ascertain
whether in truth, ability was there ITS own
reward. II was sad news to Florence but
on rejecting on the advantages which Ed
mund might derive from the execution of
his scheme. she looked upon her grief as
selfish, and endeavored to restrain it. The
evening before he left Woodburn they took
a farewell walk together in her fathers gar
den. Florence had succeeded in keeping
up a show of cheeriulncss during the day ;
but as the yellow beams of the setting sun
came streaming through the poplars and
clms that lined the walls and as she tho't
how often they had seen the sun set before,
and how long it would be ere they should
see it set again, chord was touched which
vbraed through her heart and she could no
longer restrain her tears. Edmund besought
her, with the utmost tenderness of manner
not TO give way TO emotions so violent; but
she only locked his hand more firmly in he
, own, and, amid conyulsye sobs, repeated
again and again. Edmund we shall never
meet more am not superstltious, but
know that am right; we shall never NEE
, more !!
, Her lover had recourse to every soothing
{ argument he could think of; but lhougl
1 she at length became calm, a gloomy pre-
C sentiment Of evil seemed to have taken pos
G session of her mind.
| A year had elapsed, and Edmund's earl
f dream had been more than realized. III
!, had risen into fame at once his reputation
@ as a man of genius was ACKNOWLEDGED thro'
= out his native land. His fortune was sc
a cured, and his name had already becom
Y ilustrious. Every where his society wa
II courtcd, and his opinions listened to wit
Difference and admiration.
Il There seemed To be no hOnors TO whc
IT he might not aspire no rank III society I
II which be might not hope 10 attain. Iii
X ardent spirit and growing ambition, BEGAN
e only the more Unsuitable. Every difficult
r had Welded before him, he had flown upo
the wings of success, his life hitherto ha
d been brilliant dream-a dream from whic
IN he saw no prospect of awaklng.
80 1t was evening; and he was alone IN be
~ splendid drawing room, with the loyeic
A. woman in London--thc daughter Of a Vi
= count.
n, A hundred lamps, reflected by hundrc
or mirrors. shone around them. There was
II be "A magnificent entertainment but Il
e. company had not yet arrived Edmund al
ps the lady Matilda would not have cared h,
az they never arrived at all. They sat ne
". each other, and talked in low, soft notes
N, all that youth and beauty love best TO ia
. about. Edmund had never felt 50 vain
on his life before for there were hundreds
lie the metropolis, blest with all the adYanl
ht. pes of rank and birth, who would have g
lot en- both their titles and fortunes to have
iey cured one Of those SMILES which thc pro
iih beauty now layshed upon him. And s
a she had read his works, she thought OF
me fame, she looked upon his elegant form a
al handsome features and forgot the hnnd'