Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1840-07-23
THE HEIRESS.

A sprigh,ly, rosy.cheeked, naxen-haired
little glrl uscd to sit, on the pleasant evenings
vi June, on the marble steps opposite my
lodgings, when lived IN Philadelphia, and
sing over hundred little sonnets, and tell
over NJ many tales, in a sweet voice, and
with an mir OF delightful simplicity that charm
ed n,e many time. She was then an or
phan child, and commonly reported 10 be rich.
Ofien and often sat alter day Of toll and
vexation, and listened to her innocent voice,
breathing forth the notes Of peace and happi-
ness, winch flowed cheeriully from light
heart, and felt portion OF that tranquility
stca! Ger my bosom. Such was Eliza Hunt
ley, when first knew her.
Several years had elapsed, during which
time was absent from the city, when, walk
lag pong one o. the most fashionable squares
| saw al elegant female figure step into a
carriage, followed by q gentleman and two
pretty children. | did not Immediately re-
cognIze her face, but my friend who was by
my side, pulled my elbow, tOyou not rcmcm-
ber the little Eiiza who used to silg for US
when we lived together in Walnut street.
did remember, II was herself.
She used to be fond, said he, Of treating
her little circle of friends with romauces,-
and at last acted out a neat romance herself
der the auspices Vi her guardian. II was
said BY some, she was rich--very rich-but
the amount Of wealth did nos appear 10 be a
matter Of publicity however, the current ,and
as we generally believed, we'll founded re.
port, was sufficient to draw around her many
aGlDirers--and among The number not u few
serious courters.
She did not wait long before young gen.
,le,nan, OH whom she had looked with u sume-
what partial eye, because he was the gayest
and handsomest Of her lovers, eInboldened by
her Dar,iuIuy, made her IN offer. Probably
sbc blushcd and her heart futtered little,
but they were sitting IN moonlight parlor,
oDd ns her enlbarra ssilent was more than
half concealed, she soon recovered, and as a
wavgish hunor happened TO have tho asccn.
daht, she put OIL serious face, told him che
was honorcd by his preference, but that there
was one matter which should be understood
before, by giving him reply, she bound hun
to his promise. "Perhaps you may think me
wealthy; would not for the world have you
labor under q mistake on that point, l AIN
worth eighteen hundred dollars"
She was proceeding, but the gentleman
started as if electrified. Eighteen hundred
dollars :" he repeated in manner that be.
traycd the utmost surprise "yes, ma'an,,"
said he awkwardly, IL did understand you
were worth gres, deal Dore-but-"
"No, sir" she replied, "no excuse or
apologies think about what have told you (;
you are embarrassed now answer ne anoth.
er time y and rising, she budc him good
night.
:>hc just escaped trap; he went next day
to bcf guardian, to enquire more particularly
into her affairs, and receiving the same an
swcr he dropped his suit at once.
The next serious proposal followed soon
after, aud tins too came from one who had
succeeded ~ a large portion OF her esteem.
bnl applying the same crucible TO the love he
offered her. sbe found like result. lie, too,
l,fi her, and she JoIced IN another fortunate
escape.
She sometime after became acquainted
with young gentleman OF slender fortune,
~ whose approaches she thought she dscov.
cred more Of The timd dItfidcncc OF love, than
she had Witnessed b,iUre. She did not check
bis bopcs, and in process Of time, he too
made her nn off,'r. But when she spoke OF
her fortune, lie bcgg, Il her be silent. II is
Ia virtue, worth aud brauly." said he, I" that l
pay NY court, not To- fortune. IN you shall
obinin wbnl ~ worth more than gold" She
wns nmst spierably disappointed. They
were nnrrrd. ard ilm un,"n was solemn'zed ;
.l,e made him master of her fortune with her
selE
"f am indeed worth cIgtcen hundred dol.
lars" sod she, the day alter they were mar
red. +" bot never srid how much moro and
hope never ,o erjny moro pleasure than
feel thu ~rrron,. wbrr tell you M fortune
70 oos buud,sd srd eighty ihnusapd.'
u 10 actually 80. bat siiil 5er b"sb,nd often
icik her ,hst IN her he possesses isr,
ncblcr fortune.