Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1841-08-11
From GaAagier's Wesiera Literary Journal.
THE GARDEN GIRL OF THE EDEN-BANK

WILL You ride to the Eden Bank, to-day p said
my uncle the morning after his return from Ken
lucky. ! laid down my book, and saddled ny nag,
for Il Of those bright May mornings, when
aman seems to be as properly on horseback
bird upon the wing. And pray. where is the Eden
Bank = said J, reached the lane. II s the
place. answered my uncle, that belonged TO old
Squire stone, whose Will I've been trying 10 hunt
mp IN Kentucky. IL IS now IN the hands OF Daniel,
the eldest son, a man universally dcspsed mis-
erly old scoundrel that prosecuted his brother John
10 death, and would have sold his skin when dead,
# II had been worth tanning IL is said that the old
wed the estate TO John, and that Daniel has
secTeted the Will; but IT'S all guess work. I'm 90
ing up 10 make interest with the old hound for
n child that John has leit--a poor creature that has
friend in the world, save those God may raise mp
from among strangers" The words OF my uncle
the pure elastic air. and the life giving tread Of my
horse, al conspired 20 my bcnevolence and
my destructiveness ill came very getting IN
10 great passion All sorts of chvalrous plans
riotous IN my brain, and fought battles for many
an orphan. aud cut most venomously, with my rid
ing stick Mt every pawpaw-bush We passed indeed
was Just rising my strrups to utterly anuihIlate
the posscssor OF Eden-Bauk, when the place ITSELF
m sight.
II was one Of those gently rounded dccliyitics
which only M the Wcst--and II sopcd
down to, and half incloscd little prairie.spot OF
perfect green; upon the bauk grew tall and mas
sivc trees, under which the grccnsward spread, IN
noceut of undcrbrush; aud through which the white
walled cottage was seen pecpngi while upon the
prairie there not a shrub. There were walks
about the house, and tower.patsi there were young
aud fresh arbors too. around the manly old oaks
md the cottage Itself half covered with cliugiug
vines. As wc followed the winding path among the
trees observed 20 my right, tall slight, sunburnt
girl Ia little chip bonnet wedding one of the How
or bods she looked up as we passed, half bowed,
thought, aud bent 10 her labor again. Cursing the
old mlser that would send woman 10 hcd.work
under such a sun, rode on determined 10 have an
other peep At those bright cyos-though they did be-
long 10 servant gir
We found Daniel the unjust at home he was a
big man, with "A passionate vncant facc-neithcr
strong nor amiab,c--hut working though the fires
at his heart had dried hls BRAIN mp, lie gave a
curly welcome, and as my uncle came on business,
soon lc me to amute myself with my riding whip.
Now was my time for seeing tho lasse of the hoe
again, aud strolled away toward the garden, !
looked To the spot where had seen her but sho was
zone, aud began Go think all my plans al an end
when saw ~ one OF the bowers that spoke Of a
fold of the coarse check that adorned my Duicnea;
--leapng from one walk 90 another, soon came
near enough sec hor through tho leaves, while ahc
was too busy 90 notice me. And busy with what,
think ye why witha book over which she hung
while her black hair fell IA lcstoons after It's own
fashion, from an immense thorn, which dad service
~ place of golden hodkIu. well, thought |,
this is a very remarkable servant girl, end was
half afraid To- disturb herr bat thought should cut
asmall figure It ran away without even a look at
her face. aud 80 marching forward. and determined
60 AK some questions about tte ground. broke 40
Upon her studies She looked up, smiled and blush.
ed, and before | could open my mouth, offered me
her hand. We'll, this h. Western, adeed, fald !
20 myself however, ! could not refuse her, though
again Thought she was most singular domestic.
So pressing her hand, which was neither hard nor
large, aud replying 10 her itank aud KIND smile by
another, which 10 not as sweet had certainly more
wonder in it, eat down by her on the bench OF
turf. She had been reading Nl,ss Edgcworth's sim
pie Susan, and as ! took the little volume from her,
| saw that the page was blstcred with tears. y
beautiful story, said L. And do you think said
She that il 5 story! believe It's true = and then
she went on 10 tell me how there must be such peo-
pie as Susan. and little Mary, and Philip; she sand
she had known them, o. ever 80 long when she was
little girl IN Kentucky. And she had slept IN the
woods and dreamt OF them; and had lam by the
spring under the sycamore, and cried for poor Susan
and the little lamb-and she spoke her eyes filled
with tears and she eant back against the tree, and
looked up into the clouds. swell, really thought
! again this II most wonderful girl to be hoeing
flower-beds.' Would YOU like said she, to e
with me and see the spring :! Now was ! IN pref
" fx 10 be sure / liked something about the dam
sci very much she was open, frank, pleasant
and imaginative withal but then for me TO be seer
weeping salt tears under the sycamore, with ole
Dan Stones sentimental garden girl was something
| could not stand. Fortunately, my uncles shout
calling me TO horse, came to my relief, and will
another long shake Of the hand, and promise Il
come again, got out Of the scrape as well as
could.
And what have you done for the orphan
Nothing said my uncle; and so | jumped bacl
to my dreams Of killing tyrants, and cutting OF tn
heads of old uncles and, somehow, | found wa
doing all for the dark-eyed lady Of the thorn bod
kin.
Every day for week after tins ride,
sought for an excuse 10 revisit the Eden Bank; bu
none came. and my memory Of the scene in the bow
or became vague and pleasant as IT IT had al
been dream. But evening my uncle staTtle
me by nqurlng if would not tro; over for him t
the Bank next day of course | said 'ay,' and atte
night of queer visions and restless sleep, sped Joy
fnlly TO see-a servant girl.
How have the mighty fallen.
] delivered my package, tied my horse to an oak
and wandered INTO the grove. half hoping, halt fear
ing TO meet my nameless maiden OF the hoe wen
TO the bower. but she not there I looked owe
the garden. but no sign Of her and after search
ing every dell and cump OF trees, about to CIV
up the hope Of meeting her, when a form, that lei
certain Of. passed into log hut Just over the run
| made for the spot ~ once knocked, and the doc
was opened by her. She had on the same chez
gown, and carried little child on her arm
Thank you, said she, IN whisper. and with
manner that struck me as oddly, as Dis the \ anNo
stage drivers the worthy Prince Of SAKE Vienna
when the knight of the whip observed, IL YOU
the man what's 20 ride, I'm the gentleman what's
drive you With surprise similar 10 the Prince s,
say, | received her thanks and her orders for sl
told INC the family was SICK and she knew | woul