Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1839-06-07


concerted, but nevertheless continued her
dreams of improvement. Her latent love
tor show and splendor began to glimmer
forth and to illuminate many on airy castle,
she amused herself in building. TO imi.
tate Mrs. Clifton was now The end and aim |
OF her existence. She pracliced her step,
her air, her smile, before the looking glass, |
IN her own chamber, ill from a very simple |
ana unaffected girl, she became conspicu.
ously the reverse. She strung everv win.
dow with Eolan harps and tried to sing in |
unsion, when the wild wind swept the
chords-but they disdained The harmony
Iof the human voice, and Knocked at her
efforts. Edward felt quite distressed at an
effect so contrary TO his wishes, but he
concealed his chaerin under coed hu
mored rldicne, which somewhat checked
her progress in the graces. Once, when
they were TO accompany Mrs. Clifton in an
excursion on horse back. and the lady ar.
rayed ~ her suit of forest green. was
already waiting their motion, he knew not
whether he was most amused or grieved
TO see Clara descend in dress of the same
color, in which the imitation was 100 obvious
and too defective not to border on the
ridiculous, with green veil wreathed
around the crown of her bonnet, and suf.
tered to stream back behind, in the form OF
feather or plume. Though the affection
OF her brother would not allow him to
wound her feelings, by making her fully
aware Of the extent Of her folly. and he
chose rather gently to lead her back to true
simplicity and good sense. She did no,
escape a sevcrer lash from those who
envled her the distinction Of Mrs. Clflons
acquaintance and who revenged themselves
on her damask curtains, Eolan harps and
new born airs. Her present ambition was
to posses a gold chain, an ornament she
deemed indispensable TO the perfection of
laly's dress. She did no, aspire 10 so
magnificent one as wrenthed the graceful
neck or Mrs. Clifton, but she thought she
was not perfectly happy with one OF Tar
inferior value surrounding her own. She
had long string of large gold beads,
parting gift from her sainted grandmother,
an ornament too obsolete for wear, and
which she had often sighed to convert into
modern jewelry. An opportunity occurred.
at the very moment Of all others. she most
desired it, Mrs Clifton was to give party.
The day before the event. Clara was ex.
decide on the important articles o. dress,
and mourning over her slender stock of
tinery, when a pedlar stopped at the door,
with trunk filed with jeweIry and trim.
';c''. T. spread them before her admiring
eyes and when she hesiatcd and regretted
he offered 10 take any old ornaments in
exchange, holding up at the same time a
g'iterIng chain the very article, for which
her v''a'ed fancy was yearning. The
tempt ation was irresistible and unfortu-
naley she was alone. She flew to the
trunk of treasures, drew out her grand.
mothers beads, and the pedar's eyes
frightened as he saw the pure, rich, old
fashioned gold, knowing their superior
value to his own gilded TRIES
win you exchange that chain for these'
said she IN falterlng voice, for in spite Of
her vain desire, the very act seemed sacri-
ege to her conscience.
That would not be an even bargain he
replied, and it was true--for the chain was
nothing but brass, thiny washed with gold
Clara hung down her head In proportion
TO the difficulty Of obtaining the baube,
her longing increased
That is a very pretty little trunk cried
the pedar, 1T would be verv convenient to
hold my jewels. Ifyou will throw that in,
we will strike a bargain.
Now the trunk was not Cla,as. 1t be.
onged to her brother. It was the last
keepsake beqneathed to him By this same
good grandmother, whose egaces of love
Clara was converting to purposes OF vanity
AID pride. There was letter in it, direct.
ed 10 him, with clause on the envelope.
that he was not to open it till he was of
age, unless he should find himself in some
emergency, and especially in need of coun.
sci. The old lady was supposed to possess
considerable property and It was also be,
l'cved that Edward would be her heir
On her death, however, these expectations
proved vain and her grandson, did not hon
or her memory the less, because he was
not enriched by her loss. He took the
letter us sacred beguest, wondering much
at the singular injunction, and told Clara
to keep the trunk for him as it was of no
use to him, and she would preserve it with
more care. Clara knew it was only en-,
trusted to her keeping: and she turned pale
at the thought of betraying n brothers.
trust; but she repeated to herself it was of
no possible use to him. that he would
probably never enquire for it, and it could
not hurt her dear grandmother's feelings.
who was sleeping cold beneath The clods
Of the valley. 1t was thing too of so lii.
tie consequence and; the chain was so
beautiful. She cmptied the trunk Of it's
contents, gave it hastily into the pedlar's
hands, with the beads which had remained
on he grandmolher's neck ill she died. and
gathering up The chain, fel'-instead of the
Joy oftrumph- self upbradlng and shame.
She would have recalled the act, but it was
too ate-lhe pedlar was gone. So poor
is The qualification Of vanity but the bitter
consequences OF deviation from rectilude
she was yet to experience.
Il VNbon arrnved for ho nortv eho nut