The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-11-20
SELECTED TALES.
From the Mobile Literary Gazette.
MADORk WALLACE.
A PRIZE TALE.
Br MISS SARAH AUGUSTA FLETCHER.

Bf MISS SARAH AUGUSTA rLErCnrR
! The town Of Nh, situated on the hank
oil the Connecticut is one of the most beauti-
iui places oi which New England can boast.
lis broad streets, numerous churches, and ele-
giant dwellings, surrounded by gardens display
ing the highly cultivated taste of the inhabi-
tants, the combination OF the advantages of both
city and country, render il truly lovely spot,
Here the Connecticut meanders its way through
the nch meadows; here towers the ioly No.
lyoke; here the traveller gazes with admirinc
and wondering eyes upon the numerous vii,
lagos which meet his view.-kought can be
more beautiful than here TO gaze upon the
surrounding scene in an autumnal evening
The trees touched by the magic wahd of frost.
decked IN their robes of various hues; the
western horizon tlnged with rays of golden
light, smiling at the departure of the" god of
day, while tho queen OF night" all radiant
with smiles. peeping from behind the eastern
hills, adds such beauty 10 the scene, that, TO be
once beheld. il can never be forgotten.
IL was about two miles from this town. on a
lovely evening Of October, an evening when all
! looked bright and beautiful, that two figures
were seen slowly treading the banks Of the
1onnecticut, near beautiful rural cottage
/ he arm OF the taller was thrown around the
neck oi the shorter, while her head rested up
Oh the shoulder OF her companion. Never
was there a more striking contrast presented
between two. who might both be called beau
tIful. Medora Wallace was tall and elegant.
ly formed Her auburn hair flowed over n
neck ofthe purest white. her eve of liouid blue
beamed nought but mildness. Ellen Lowell.
her companion. was a bruuette, all life and
gaIety. All, Ellen said Msdora. YOU little
kno" how dread this meeting with nv cou-
SIN; from childhood he has been nv evil ge-
mus; remember him only as my early tor
mentei, rude boy; how can then but dread
10 meet MN as my companion Tor lle-my fu-
ture husband : One little circums,apc, which
occurred during our childish sports, has never
ceased TO haunt me. One day, while p,ayinp
together, we had both sped a book upon the
table containing engravings. and both at the
same time had laid our hands upon il, |, Young
as ! was. thought his gallantry should be sui.
hcient TO make him resign it 10 me he AS the
stronger, endeavored TO force il from me, bur
by some little ariifice ] managed to retain il.
which aroused his anger to such a pitch, tha,
he exclaimed, Nov mind, Miss. when Won ar.
my wife, you will haze to obey This, al
though it occurred even before ! had attained
my sixth year. has been indelibly stamped on
my mind But said Ellen, SO many wears
have passed, and the rude boy is transformed
into the intelligent and universally admired Mr.
Mcdonald, heir Of the house OF Mcdonald ::
every body praises him, and ! have become
quite fascinated from the glowing description
given OF him in your fathers letters and If Won
are not careful, Miss, III exert all my power
/ to charm him, and perhaps rid you Of your
early tormenler. Nothing, / am sure, would
be OF more service TO you than TO excite your
Jealousy. And nothing said Medors, could
be more difficult for you TO accomplish, for
where there is no love there can be 10 JEALOUSY
But | assure you, Ellen, nothing could give
me more pleasure than to see you successful
IN fascinating this dreaded cousin Of mine
| And am sure returned Ellen. should re-
celve the thanks OF another besides yourself.
Medora, II may Judge of the protracted stay
Of one who has suddenly found that Lowell
Cottage has charms to keep him so long from
hisstudies.' Hush hush, Ellen said Medors,
placing her finger on her lip, while deep
blush sufiused her face, he IS coming and Ell
len, turning, beheld Mr.. FIzroy advancing TO-
wards them. Ellen could not refrsip l.uphing
at her friends embarrassment. and placing her
lips close 10 MedOra's ear, whispered That
lace tells tales" Medora might have had suf-
iIclent time TO have rsgsIned her self possession
had not Ellen kept her face in a constant glow
until they were joined by Mr.. Fitzroy. The
reserved manner which Medora Immediately
assumed, must have made their conversation
any thing but agreeable but for the life and
vIvacity which was ever dIflused by the lively
Ellen. Here We leave the tro and give our
readers some insight into the history Of those
persons who will soon appear before them.
Mr.. Wallace, the father of Medora. was
native Of Scotland, noted for his frmness and
pride Of family. lie had early married the
beautiful and accomplished Ella Nc cDonald,
whose only remaining relation was a brother.
many years her senior. This brother had two
sons. William aud Donald. Upon the birth Of
Medora, 1t vas agreed by the parents, that she
should be taught from infancy to look upon
her elder cousin William rs her afIisnced hus-
band. The disappearance Of the child when
but three years of age, while playing upon the
bank OF the river. had led to the supposltion,
(dIthough has body had not been dlscoycred)
that be had been drowned. Donald thu, be-
came heir, and the parents still cherished the
hope OF uniting their families. Medora was
educated to look upon her cousin, d. her fu-
iure husband At the early age Of seven sue
had tbe misfortune TO lose her dearest friend
her fond mother. Mr.. Wallace feeling him
sell incompetent to discharge the duties which
in consequence Of his wiles death, now in,OlV-
ed upon him, readily consented 10 the propo-
sIton made by Mrs. Lowell, the earllcst aud
dearest friend o. Mrs. Wallace. to take the lii.
tie orphan With her TO America, where she was
about removing, and thus secure to her dsugh-
ter Ellen, constant companion and friend.
Medors, thus removed from all her earliest as.
soeiation, and looking up TO Mrs. Lowell as
her best fnend-her almost mother. and upon
Ellen as sister. she could hardly convince
herself that America was only the home Of her
adoption, and that she vas only connected TO
these dear friends By the ties Of friendship. IT
was no wonder that two like Mcdors aud Ellen,
tho Of entirely different dispositions, sboglJ
become devoledly attached. II at school. the
mischievous sod lively Ellen found herself ia
difficulty. Medora was ever uesr to eKircaie
her. Ellen was, 90 the other hand. equally
ready 10 take uuou herself 10 shield her friend