Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1841-07-21
INDIANA STATE SENTINEL.
THE VILLAGE BELLE.

blue eyes brighten and her little heart beats quick
er at the thought Of being day. the heroine her
sell. OF some Legendary proser and Of having her
own victories recorded. Nell, the desire to DC low
ed may reign IN amiable bosom-may possess a
kind and sirtuous heart.--But power Is dangerous,
there are Sd many temptations - It's abuse. These
things ] would have my far readers remember a.
they 90 along with me aud Il may be, we shall be
wiser. and therefore better before we part.
II ever you should come TO Alesbury, YOU viii see
. sweet little cottage in the meadows towards the
river valley, half hid away amid c.uste. Of black
alders, with is white chimney and snowy palIngs
peepng through the fol- age and they will tell you
that Annette Merton once lived there for ali the
villagers remember her. ii WAS one OF those ter
restrial paradises which the sck heart Disguised wit
the wrongs Of men, often pictures to itself-so Of
ten longs for And she. oh she beautiful cree
turc; my heart, even now, beats qu c&er - her ~
sge rises before me.
She was gay lively gri, with tn pol 81 Of a s,r
ncr IN the city. and good education and VIVA
er her talents night have been, che al least pos
ed the power OF Pleas,ng-the tact OF winning heir
IN most coPous measure. ! never cOnld oIttrf
exactly how che did il but there wac a tree, lrlha.
friendly air about her that inspired confidence and
gifted thus at ell points, she played mastery
game amongst the village 5eaux. Every BODY vas
glad 70 gallant her emulous which should pay
her the most attention; and every young gentleman
IN the village who could afford to spruce himself up
a little twenty four hours, paid her alter
noon or evening visit.
IL would have been amusing 20 one who went a.
mere spectator, 10 have attended Saturday eve
hing levee at the Alder Cottage-amuSing 10 The
address practsed by the competitors for her smiles,
IN eciting some distinguished mark OF her iavor
They gathered round her IN the little parlor aud II
rhe spoke. there n strife TO who should most
approve what she said II che dropped her haniker-
oh eff two three heads came contact IA the gen
crai effort - restore Il 10 heF and If she walked
they were happy who got by her sldc, and all the
rest were miserable There were TO be seen every
variety of countenance. and every description OF
temper and such spectator might have been edlt
ed though the primo pal impression made upon his
mind, would probably have been, tia. counting IN
der such circumstances, most particular tool
ish kind of business.
But Annette sung "Thc moon had climbed tie
hghcsi bill - and told board ~ school stories aud
talked elo4uea:y A. ut love aud poetry music, and
painting, was witty, sentimental, and good natnr
ed invncible always, absolutely always the
conqueror. The young ladies' of the village saw
themselves undcserycdy deserted looked month al
ter month the success Of their general rsal and
prayed probably, It young ladies ever pray about
such matters, that Annette might speedily make
choice among her w0rshippcrs, and lcavc the re-
mainder. IL was tlrlorn hope she intended to do
such thing. She the village belle and the
vltEe belle shc meant to be.
IL So happens. however that great beauties, like
all other great folks, who have - take their common
chances m with fortune, sometimes m the end out
wit themselves. In process Of time, one aad anoth-
a. and again another. wedding took place IN The VII
l,ge the girls whose names were seldom spoken,
whose modes: pretensions and retiring habits were
perfectly ecliPsed by the brlIancy of the reigains
star, secured their avOrites were wOoed and won,
aud marued, and Annette still c,qusttcd with all.
and was still admired by all.
How many good Offices she refused or sighted,
only recorded in her own memory. Hope
deferred saith the proyerb, makes the heart SEX
Those who were sincere IN their addresses, grada-
ally one after another, rejected OF put oil aad
Tell into some easier road TO rnatrimony. She was
ut last lc wh couftiers heartcss, IN love mat
tiers, herself; who sought her company because II
was agreeable flirting with her because she " as the
"belle,' romped With, and kissed her, whenever
they had opportunity, because II IS always worth
pains to VIII such favor from beautiful girl.
We never get to be too much OF the bachelor for
this. Well night Byron ask
"--Who can curorsi, behold
The smoothncss and the sheen % bcauty's cheek,
Nor feel the heart can never AL grow cold !"
Bu, time rolled and the grass At length be.
gan 20 grow N the path that led over the meadows
10 the cottage. Annette became alarmed AZ the
rvn toms and seized the last chance that was left
engaged herself 10 her only rcminng beau. H.
was at the time, about going - spsud season n
the city. They were % be married on las return
She accepted him not because she Thought him o.,
best OF her sulors, but because he he only o.e
left aud had always held himself az her scr,
tc, sedate, aud studied housewiiary
rhe time hnay arrived her Did beau clne
70 the village. aud day or tG1 after, strolloj
20 the cottage VAIN bis pipe, IN appearance qu
anticipated mar. But he SAID nothing about III.
subject OF nlltrmouy. Annette al last took the
srty of reminding hIm OF his engagement. lie St..
ed, ''lndccd, madam, You surprise me.
Surprise YOU. why SIR %
because, said he, never dreamed that you could
BE- serious 10 such thing matrimonial engage
nent, aud meeting With good opportunity, | got
married before left the city"
Fortune had finished the game, aud Annette was
lett TO pay the forte u. She never hurried. because
shc never had another chance And here Is but the
history common to hundreds Of far ladies' wno IT..
Ting with the power that beauty gives them over the
minds Of men, sacrifice every thing at the shrine Of
ambition; and ann only, 10 enjoy the tile, anu the
triumph that lights for a little while the sphere Of
the village Belle.
LADY PAYNEs MoNkEY.-R. u. Sheridan vas
on terms OF intimacy with SIR Ralph and Lady
Payne. Her ladyshp had favorite monkey which
was sc zed with peculiar melauchoy incidental 10
IT'S species. IL had taken 10 eating is tall-a sure
foresunuer of death.
Mr.. Sheridan came 10 dinner, and Lady Payne IN
formed hun That poor Jem was no more that she
intended 10 have him buried and entreated the au
thor Of the school for Scandal % write an eptaph
Oh her monkey. Sheridan not quite Ia the ven.
bat the lady pertaacously placed paper and pen be-
fore him. whereupon the great dramaust aud orator
rulkily scratched -
Poor Jem
Sorry for A,m
Ia rather ~ half
Ii had been SIR Ralph"