Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-05-28


Clara Stanley, at the time other brother
Marriage with Mrs. Clifton, believed her
sclfthe happicst of human beings. The frs
wish OF her heart was gratlicd, and she die
not think it possible that more ardent one
could quicken its pulsations. She loved Ed.
ward as the most allectonatc and tender q
brothers she admired him too as the mos,
handsome and graceful of men, and hcl
pride as well as her affection oxultcd in his
union with the admired and fascinating wild.
ow. But after the excitement attending the
event had subsidized, she wondered at the de.
lection that weighed down her spirits. She
felt there was love dearcr than that of a
sisters now gladdcning his life, and that she
must hcnceforth be satisfied with secondary
place in his affections She had no othcl
brother, no sister to supply his. place rs "A
companion, and poor Clara was often left to
feel dcarth Of winch she had never dream
ed before. There was something too in the
mpassiOnCd character Of Gertrude Oor thus
by her Christian name will we hereafter de-
signate our former friend of the Mob Cap)
that threw kind Of romance over every
scene in which she moved, and Clara, COM
muning with her own heart, would some
times ask herselfif she had the same deep ca :
pabilities Of loving, or if the being existed,
tho yet unseen, who could call them into
existence.
An event soon occurred, that gave new
color to her dreams. She was sitting at an
open window, ntcnty reading, when the
unfolding of the gate attracted her attention.
She started as If she had seen monster, for
she knew at the first glance that it was a
pedlar, who was coming in, and the sight OF
one filled her with horror. To make the
sudden appearance more terrific, he carried
IN his hand red morocco trunk, almost cx-
hclly like the one she had so slnmctully bart
cred, and Unexpectedly recovered.
'Oh, mother, dear mothcr!' exclaimed
she, starting up in dismay, do not let him
come in; | cannot bear the sight of him.
Tell him we do not want any Jewels. Ihatc
i dctcst the whole tribe of pcdars.
A look from her mother checked her rash
speech.
Rather blame yourself, Clara said Mrs.
Stanley, for folly, for which | never
would again upbraid you, if the remembrance
OF 1t did not make you unreasonable and UNI
Just to others. l DO not wish you to pur-
chase jewels, but you must not be harsh in
your refusal
81 know | am wrong answered Clara,
ingenuously; but you know not the agonies
OF remorse the sight Of that man calls 10 nv
recollection.
In the meanwhile the pedlar knocked, and
was admitted by Mrs. Stanley, with her
usualgenlle courtesy. IL was a young man,
of quite genteel appearance, and his long
dark hair shading its forehead with its shining
masses, his exceedingly dark complexion,
and dark, piercing eyes, reminded Clara,
whose imagination was cv,r on the wing in
search of romontic rcsemblnces, of the de-
scription of the Gipsey race lie placed his
trunk on the floor, and knecfng on one knee,
opened it without speaking.
'Do not trouble YOURSELF aid Clara, with
nervous shudder, as the opcnine lid dis
played the glitter of the jewds we do not
wish to purchase any thing
ALLOW me to show them T. you,' said he.
with that ollicious poitencss peculiar to hi,
profession 'you may be tempted to change
your resolution
mo, no. answered Clara Il have made 9
vow never to wear another twel.'
Not even aring!' said he, with smile
which she thought very bold and sarcastic
and, determined to repel his assurance, she
took up the book which she vas reading, anC
appeared TO be absorbed by its contents
But the persevcring pedlar was not so eas,
repulscd.
'Will you not look at this beautiful chain?
SAID ne, holding up one so near her eyes that
she could not but perceive the dazzle of the
links.
Surely thought Clara, She must be m,
evil genius, sent to torment he before m,
lime, for my past Offences