, 1840-11-21
MtSceudueous.
From the Philadelphia Casket.
THE PRIDEO OF INVERHALE.

lHE PRlDEOF IN
"For softness she md sweet attractive grace ."-.MiHon
Oae of the l~oveliest valleys that ever
bloomed, was that of InverhaIe; it was the
abode of health; and contentment seemed to
smile on the countenance of every inhabi.
tant. Through this beautiful valley flowed
a silver stream, on the green margin OF
which the lads and laSSes of Inverhale. would
often stray at .moonlight's fairy hours" and
it was pleasing to view the various groups
that might then be seen dispersed along its
fowery banks. Here 4 light-hearted few
would be dancing merrily to the pibroch's
note-there another, more seriously inclined,
would be seated on the velvet turf. singing.
tin chorus sweet. some Highland lay; while
in the distance the eye not unfrequently
might catch a glimpse of some stray couple,
treading the green sward where it was more
solitary, breathing vows, or telling thoughts,
Of a character which we shall leave the i'm
agination of the reader to determine.
Such was | ,verhale-and InverhaIe's pride
was 4 girl whose bloom was that of seventeen
summers, whose tender care watched over the
widowhood of an aged mother. and whose
kind heart had won the love OF all those who
resided within the precincts of her ma
tive valley. EgFIE GRAEME was as lovely rs
the wild rose which b!ooned on the margin
of the lake of lnverhale. and modest rs the
violet which grew 10 her carefully cultivated
parterre-liie the hI. of that flower were
the ewes Of Efli,. an S~potlesS as the noun
tain snow was the ma;len'S heart. Ellie was
the pride and alteration Of her parents; she
was an onlv cid, and faithfully did she dis
charge every duty as Sach Her father died
of 4 fever, and MANY a weary night had she
watched BY his beside. cooling his parched
lips with n beverage of her own preparing;
it was her filial hand that rendered his posi-
ton on his bed comfortable, when he COM
planned of uneasiness, and to her care did he
owe every deIicacy that he tasted during his
suferings. But fliaI love can avail nought.
when the hands of death has already touched
his victim, and Effie received the last bles-
sing of her father.
1t was a sight well calculated 10 call forth
the tear of sympathy. when the funeral OF
old Allen Greene moved from the cottage,
to the humble church-vard. The old widow
leaned on her young and lovely child. who
subdued her own sorrows that she might not
add to the a~ffiiction other mother; her bosom
heaved with the agony of suppressed grIel,
and she spoke not, save at intervals, when
the language she uttered was that of ~conSola-
ton to her parent. Even in the bitterness
of grief. the aged widow returned thanks to
the Supreme Being, who had given her such
a child to comfort her in her Affections; she
had found consolation in the kindness OF her
daughter; for to whom can parents look tor
comfort, when thew are visited by the sor-
rows incidental to existence, If not 10 their
childl In flial love, the only true Gllead for
a wound, such as that which the widow
Graeme had received, is TO be found, and
miserable indeed must be the parent, who,
looking to such a source for sympathy and
consolation. is met with cold inditfe renee.
1t was long before the cottage of the wild
ow was lively once more, but time brought
ahealing on its WINGS" and Ellie again gave
cheerfulness to her parent, and gaiety to the
valley. Her song was the sweetest and
blithest of any maiden's, and her step in the
dance the Iightest and most graceful. With
all these attractions, it is not to be marvelled
that many a youth should have sighed for
her-and although many a wealthy sutton had
offered hand and heart, she rejected all, in
favor of Roland Allison, who was all that a
maiden need wish for, either as regarded
personal beauty, or mental accomplishments.
They were b%etrothed, with the blessings
of The widow Graeme-for Roland was
an orphan, and had no being to look up to
for advice; but his virtues had acquired for
him friends, and his industry an ample and
honorable subsistence. The day was fixed
for the wedding, and many a frolic was en-
joyed in anticipation of more substantial
ones, when the ceremony should be consun-
mated. 1t was at one of these merry-makings
that Efie, was introduced to a stranger, as
the son Of a neighbor who had for some time