Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-05-01
ELISA,
OR THE rREsENTImENT AT THE WELL.
BY Z. HoLDEN.1

bi
II has been often enough said to have been
tested that "truth is stranger than fiction"
The brief story we are now to relate, is q
true incident Of American life, without the
least coloring Of incident; and not few Of
the readers of the Lady's Book, will recog.
nze its original at once.
ELISA Waldron was the only daughter oi
an honest and intelligent farmer, who resided
few miles from one OF our largest cities
Their humble, but neat cottage, stood little
distance from the principal avenue leading
out of the metropolis; and though the small
farm of Mr.. Waldron did not Indicate wealth,
1t was admired by all who rode out to partake
Of the sweetness Of the country, for the uni
vcrsnl indication of thrift and industry that
every where prevailed. Mr.. Waldron was
marked by the excellent qualities which form
good and admired citizen, and the partner
Of his life was equally the pride Of the rural
neighborhood in which they dwelt. They
had, by life of industry and economy, placed
themselves above want, though they never
could be called rich. 1t was their constant
care to inculcate correct principles in their
only daughter. "It," said Mr. Waldron one
day to Elisa, "you learn to be above the
world, by knowing how TO provide for your
self by your own hands, independence, my
girl, will be your inheritance" II was in
pursuance of this early implanted principle
Of self.rcliance, we suppose, that induced
ELISA TO 60 TO the city when in her teens in
the capacity Of domestic service. She lived
in the family Of on old friend Of her fathers
for about two years, more like daughter
than a servant, for Mrs. Underwood was. q
good lady, and ELISA filed large place in
her heart. She was ever so attentive, intel
ligent and nffectionate in the relation which
she occupied.
The estate Of Mr. Underwood was situated
little distance from the dense portion OF the
city. In a large garden, which was the plea
sure Of his home hours, he had well for the
double purpose Of supplying the family with
water, and spriDkling nutriment to the rare
exotics Of his hot-houses. ELISA went out
one day, as she often did, to draw pail oi
water. Mrs. Underwood was passing to a
distant past Of the garden and she saw tina,
ELISA was standing gazing in the well for
some time, with an almost vacant stare. HeI
curiosity was excited, and walking toward:
the well, in q gentle tone she asked, "Why
Eissa, what do you see in the well?"
Nothing, madam, only am never going
to draw any more water in this garden"
"What do you mean, ELISA, have ! moi
treated you kindly !"
"Mosi tendcrly, like q sister, madam, but
have had a prescbtimeDt since ] looked into
this well, and am TO see better days"
-" Elissa,ii did not know you well | should
think you crazy"
"Oh no, I'm not crazcd. but ! am to see
better days. have had a prcsentiment."
And nothing could persuade her to the con-
uary. That very day she had her trunk
packed, accompan MED bv menv n little mr.. sant
fr"n The Undcrwoods, aud took the stage for
the rural home of her childhood. No, a word
however did she utter to her parents Of her
strange prcseniiment, for she we'll knew tina,
they would laugh much at her for indupinc
such fancy. She KEEP, il to herself; bu, SO
strong an impression had il made upon her
feelings. that she never Abandoned the thought
scarcely IN her waking or sleeping moments