Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1842-08-11

and discovered new and rich treasures Of in
tcllect, which had lain hidden like gems ill
drew them forth, and compared the pure
freshness of your feelings to the hacknied
world in which Ihave mingled-is it strange
that loved you, but spoke not Of i'll da-
red not-until the eye that dropped beneath
the glance of mine, the blush and tho trem-
bling voice, encouraged me to hope. On The
very day that determined to place my hap
pineSs at your disposal, received that cruel
message. All! Hester-it was not like you.
1t wounded me deeply, for l perceived at
once that an enemy had gained your ear
l was too proud to intrude on you unbiddsn,
end should probably have left the village
without seeing you; but last night heard
the whole from one, who, am panied to learn,
has been having for me warmer sentiment
than it is in my power to return. pity,
and forgive her the injury she would have
inflicted on my peace-shall say yours, Hes
teri"
He took hand that was not Withdrawn,
and as he bent to kiss it, warm tears fell upon
his tace-such tears as are only shed when
the heart is too full for utlerance.
1t was late that night when Edward tore
himself away from the cottage OF Mr.. Wilson,
aud early the next morning he left The village
for his own distant home, while Hester, seri.
Gus and thoughtful, yet with deep, calm
joy in her heart, lnoVed about the house in
the performance of her customary duties.
Every week during the long summer that
| followed, letter arrived at the post.otfice,
directed, as the postmaster said, in the most
beautiful hand, but which he would deliver
TO no one but Jack Wilson, who regularly
called for it, at the same time dropping very
slyly into the box, u small neat packet, bear
ing the name of Edward Avery.
A knowledge of this circumstance CONVEX.
ted the last drop of kindness in the heart of
the ignorant, conceited and disappointed Je-
nina Eldridge, into gall, which she vented
in the bitterest invectives against the inno-
cent Hester. Her temper was soon after still
further soured. for her father, on making his
| usual quarterly payment at Mr.. Johnson's
store, discovered that his daughter had pur.
chased, without his knowledge, articles of
dress, or rather useless finery, to IL large
amount. Although he could easily have
paid it, he resolved 10 punish her, and insisted
that the beautiful birds.eye table linen,
which was laid by for her, should go to pay
the debt; and she had the still greater MORT.
tication of hearing Mrs. Johnson say that
she should keep it tor her own use, as she
had never seen a piece of linen so fine and
beautifully white, and that Hester Wilson
deserved a premium for her work.
Summer, too. passed away--and one bright,
frosty morning in early autumn, when the
yellow leaves Of the large walnut tree by the
door came pattering down like rain, plain
yet handsome carriage was seen descending
the hill, at the foot of which nestled the vii.
lage. Hester's heart beat quick and quicker,
as it came nearer. Yes, it had stopped, and
a gentleman springs lightly out. 1t is Ger.
tainly Edward Avery The threadbare
suit Of rusty black, which composed the out
er man of the whilome schoolmaster, had
been superseded by garments of the finest
material and modern fashion, but the change
in his personal appearance was still more
striking. His truly noble countenance,
beaming with health and happiness. seemed
to Hester at the least more interesting than
the pale melancholy features of the invalid
sch0olmaster.
"May God bless you Hester !" said Mr.
Wilson, as week afterwards sho st"na r, ny
ward, habi'ed in a neat riding dress ~ and and
looking, as Jack declared, for ali the world
like born lady. "May God bless Won. and
make you blessing 10 your husband as you
have been TO your father. Do not cry, Hes
ter" he continued, his own tears falling fast !;
Molly is now large enough to fl your
place. Come back soon and see u.s." And
amid the weeping and farewells of those to
whom she was dear, the carriage drove off.
How lonely did the house appear, when
Mr.. Wilson, after closing the shutters to
keep out the glare of the sun, sat down by
the hearth, and felt that the light and ioy of
his dwelling were gone. Nothing but the
prospect Of her happiness could have consol.
ed him for the loss Of his good & dutful child.
Molly went to the little room which she had
shared with her sister, and throwing herself
on the bed, wept till she fell into sleep,
from which she awoke determined to be to
her father and brothers what Hester had
been, and if she did not always succeed it
Henry strolled away into the fields, but Jack
marched into tho village, where he talked
about his brother-in.law. Edward Avery,
Esq, and told how he was the only son of
rich widow lady, away off in some city, he
forgot where how he studied so hard to be-
come lawyer that his mother feared he
had consumption, and the doctors said he
must give up his books and go into the coun-
try; so merely for the exercise, and because
he could not be idle, he had taught their
school. "And you see," said Jack, "that if
he was to travel over the United States, he
could not find better, no, nor handsomer
wife than our Hester. But must go home
and see if Molly knows how to get supper"
And Pway he ran TO conceal the tears which
he thought might be considered disgrace 10
his manhood.
Hester was indeed the wife of talented
yQpng lawyer, and the virtues which raised
her from an humble station, ennobled and
adorned the higher one she afterwards filled.
Her husband became a wealthy, influential
man. and with his consent she bestowed ma
nv benefits unnn the family Tho ,,,,,,r,