Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1841-02-18

memOefeu inc Cohtp"hion VI wv t"""-
bo,d. Such is wo,nan's couslsncy and
love. Alas that il should So often be
abused
The evening was somewhat advanced
when Mr. Merton apProarhed Helen,
locked arm in-nrm with u young man,
whose dark countenancc, raven hair and
eyes, and tall, straie.nt oI,n, Indicated n
native oi the South.
mir. Thompson Of New OAeans, my
dcnr," said Mr.. Melton, Introducing
him to Helen and then AMER convers-
ing lew moments, saan,ered to the op-
positc Of the saloon.
"Who is ,ha, handsome young man
yom Just now Introduced to llelenf"
asked Mrs. Mci,ru of her husband
THAT is Mr.. Thompson, OF New Or
leans tho richest merchant in that city,
and his father was before him. lie ar-
rived here bu, the day before Yesterday.
was ini oduccd Ia him yesterday, anu
invited him here Ia night, and IL the rn-
preston of his features is not lett on
Ilelen's little heart, which has hitherto
been So calIuus, none ever will be-"
"And il they are, | suppose you will
regret the disaw,varunce OF your pro-
tcgc, Charles Et!iston!" said his " ile
sarcastic ally.
Mr.. Merton tia no, answer her ; he
only turned away.
At first when tho stranger was intro
ducrd to Helen, there appeared to be
nn air of embarrassment, bu, II gradual
l., Al .....l nt.,,aH int "A.
salion with unusual vivnciy-In me
cruise oi " hich she asked him if he had
ever been in the city boiorc. lie replied
that he had been when he was about
srvchiccn years Of age, and that he
had then became acquainted with several
oi hs own age, whose acquaintance he
highly priced. Among these he men
toned was that OF Charles Elhston, IN
particular. As he mentioned thu name
he bent his dark eye full upon her, and
Ierceived that she stated, whilr Tor
noment agi, alton was visibly depicted
in her counicnance. After n minutes
Ca,,.e he continued, "but | have made
inquiries since Ty arrival respecting
hun, aud hear that ho has returned the
kindness of his bcne factor, your father,
with ingratitude, by leaving his house,
AM going no one knew whittier"
"Oh, no, sir, do not believe that II IS
all idle report. lie had reason for leav-
ing my fathers house," and her voice
trembled and a tear stood in her eye.
Just then gentleman advanced TO
cIaim her hand for the next coilllon, and
the conversation was abruptly termlna-
ted. Charles resigned her silently but
his heart was full.
1t is strange how the lapse Of few
years between youth and manhood will
change the face and disguise the form;
The slight STRIPPING that little whiIe
ago clambered on our knee, VIC can
scarcely recognise in the full stately
form, and staid deneanor, oi the man:
So it was with Charles, thompson, and
no wonder Helen and her father could
not sec, in the rich merchant Of the
south, the poor lad who six years before
had left them with scarce a dollar IN his
pocket.
twas the morning following the ball
and MIR. aud Mrs. Merton and Helen
were setting in the pailor-ihe former
two engaged in discussing some private
a6iairs, the latter with her head resting
upon her hand, apparently in deep
thought. The serv6nt entered and hand
ed MIR. Merton a letter. lie opened
it and having perused il for a few mo-
mcnts, he uttered an exclamation of JOY.
Both his companions looked up seeming
Iy overcome with the excitement OF some
unusually pleasant news, he approached
his daughter, and gently patting her on
the cheek, said,
Come, come, Helen dear, cheer up;
Charles, our own dear Charles, has re-
turned is in the city, and will be here
in half m hour-Cheer up my dear"
and he began to pace the floor.
"See here" he continued, as splen-
did equpage, with servants in livery,
drove up to the door, from which young
gentleman ulighted, here is Mr.
Thompson too how glad shall be to
introduce them To one another"
81 don't see why you should be-" said
his wife, "ihough perhaps Charles, as
you call him may be as rich as Mr..
Thompson. You know he left word
that he was a going to seek his fortune" I"
aud she pronounced the last " ord with Il
snccr.
And he hopes he has found it,
madam" exclaimed Charles, who en-
tered JUS, at that momcnt-"thanks 10
an all wise Providence that directed me
to my fathers house. 1t is Charles that
stands before you!"
With shrek of delight, Helen threw
herself into his outslrctched arms, and
wept tears Of JOY upon his bosom while
the old man stood motionless, but his
eyes were wet aud his lips quivered,
though not with grief
When they had become somewhat
composed, Charles related TO them what
had occurred since he left them. The
Joy that beamed in the swimming eyes
OF tho delighted girl, as she hung !ondly
on her lovers arm, was only equalled
by tho tenderness with which he return
ed her look Of affection. How deep
MAS the bliss OF tha, moment, making
amends by its deligh, for the long years
A 4 II. II \, L.