The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-10-30
Sc LICTID TALES.
From the Lsdy's Book.
HE 0RPH A N.
BY MRS. MARY n. PARSONS.


il was night-a warm night in early summer.
The stars were out in their mighty mansions,
shedding over the Tar earth the light of their
pure aud quiet beauty. Soothipgly fell their
influ ence upon the strug Cling heart Of Isabel
Eve rett. as her prayer went up to the Great
Watcher of the skies for strength TO bear in
thi, the hour of ber heavy trial. Even then
the shadow Of death was resting upon the brow
OF her mother-the tired friend and protector
of her childhood, the afiectlonate and judicious
counsellor of maturer years.
Very sad aud solemn, were the low tones Of
that dying mother TO her only child.
Yet little while. Isabel and shall 10 Ion
ger be with you. The days OF my appointed
time are drawing to close. My soul ishsavy
with disease, and long suileripg-l am weary
and would be at rest. Do not grieve so bitter
ly. oh. my Isabel 1t would console me in the
hour Of death, to see some portion of that for
tiiude have so earnestly endeavored 10 instil
into your mind. You need IN solitude, com.
muniou with your own rebelhous heart seek
il in your chamber, my child; and return to
me, when you have calmed the violence OF
your SORROW for oh, il is sweet TO die, when
waichiul eyes and loving hearts are round US
Isabel raised the hand that lay mctionless
upon her own, her tears fell upon the thin, e.
maciated fingers. as she pressed them 10 her
lips, but no word escaped her as she turned
from the bed and lett The apartment. Alone in
her chamber, the pent up agony burst forth !;
that long low wall Of despairiug nature it came
upon the ear like the cry of feeble child.
smitIen to the earth But the early teaching.
the faithful counses. the bright exompe of
that dying mother, rose up before her. The
stormy violence Of her grief was subdued clss-
ping her hands she exclaimed:
wilt thou leave me, thy ialherlcss girl But
will bear up. aud oh, my mother. | will be TO
thee the comforter. through the last earthly
struggle, thou hast been to me through all the
years Of my lite. As the words died away up
on the lips Of Isabel, she moved TO the window
!, and looked forth. The night breeze lifted the
curls from her pale brow, and cooled the fever
= upon her parched lips. How soothing to her
excited feelings was the shadowy beauty Of the
solemn and mysterious night Before the
mighty works Of nature, man dwindlts into
r no,hingness. A sense of her own insig gnif
S oance pressed heavily upon the heart Of Isabel
y but other and better thoughts arose within her
lie, who had created the o o'ershadowiug heaven
r the broad and beautiful earth. the kindly feel
r ings and warm sympathies which dwell in hci
: own bosom, had created man immortal. and
S would care for The last and most glorious work
= OF hi. Almighty hand.
B, 1t is not our purpose TO introduce our rea-
ders 10 the sad sceue Of that night. The
{ morning saw Isabel Everett an orphan. Not
= in the grave passed away the influence Of hel
{ mother Like the lone star that guideth on
e ever and ever, memory Uf her was shining
= light to guard and guide in the sure path OF
virtue and honor.
T A week AFTER Mrs. Evereu's death the car
= riage rolled from the door. that was TO convey
Isabel to her future home. IL was with hel
D maternal uncle who was the companion Of hrt
b. journey, she was in future to reside. For the
D present we leave them and turn TO her past his
r tory, and those with whom she was hereafter 10
e be so intimately connected.
= Mrs. Everett was the youngest Of three chill
= drcn the two eldest were boys. and cherished
= for their beautiful sister, the iondest and mos
r devoted affection. Her msrriag. bad been out
OF great happiness, but the time of its duration
was short Mr.. Everett died when Isabel had
Y reached her sixth year, leaving his family very
destitute. liberal allowance had been settled
upon Mrs. Everett. by her eldest brother, Rich
ard Maveron, who had been for many years o
his life in India, and still continued TO reside
there. Living in the near vicinity OF large
town, Mrs Everett found no difficulty in pro.
curing for Isabel every advantage necessary 10
complete her education. But most she depen
ded upon herself, for she had been highly anc
pobly educated the rich stores Of knowledge
s she had garnered 10 her youth, were now OF in
!. estiuable value to her, and she impaired them
i TO her daughter, with all a mothers fond soc
j. itude IN the welfare Of her child. The deeI
a sorrow Mrs. Everett bore through life. under
Il mined the springs Of her constitution and even
n tually shortened her days. Yet. ali unrepin-
e ingly and meekly, she bowed to the buernes;
ff h.Kk kax h~ h.da her mai h.
Y way had dmmed the worlds light to her bu
Z it had not clouded the brow Of her besutfu
n and sinless child. Silently, the mother bore on
+ striving in The faithful performance Of her du
e ties, TO weaken the libk OF dark remembrance
:. that bound her TO the dead She lived TO sc,
}, the eighteenth birthday Of her child. and sh'
n did not grieve although she knew she nigh
: never look upon another, she vas gong to ths
long home. where the weary laden shall hn'
rest
The younger brother Of Mrs. Everett, 4
whose home Isabel was fastening, was maj
ot warm and noble impulses; great benevolene
OF disposition, and kIpdliness Of hesn. Ye
Henry Mslverton was Of strong aud passionate
temper, rash in Judgment. and hssty 10 d.cis
J. ion; he was easily imposed upon, his tempe
y, often preventing the full exercise Of his reason
Is but he vas much and universally beloved, for
= warmer heart never beat IN a mans bosom. =
:, tie wss merchant; not a successful obe u
ct speculation, for he did not possess the quslIte
re that would render hun such; his regular b1si
10 ness had been very lucrative. but he lived sI
10 pen.ryeiy, and every isrhing Of his income va
:. yearly consumed. Ia his sisters pecuniar
IN difficulties, u had always been q source Of gre
: TO Henry Msyenon. that be could not sllO'
,e her fixed sum, ior her support. and u soothe'
~ hs warm and generous heart, to render unt
!; her child. not only the means Of support but
home and fathers love. He had married wo
m man. ~ho hid fairly caught him aud ~edde
AZ him because be ~ss a good match ! as ~es
: 40 she WAS vain. besriless. worldly and hsugh
tvs she neyenheless contrived 10 make him be
Ileve, .he vas peculiarly constituted TO rende
-. rhi