Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1842-07-22
From the Free Masons' Magazine.
THE ORPHAN.
BY CHARLTON.


ed woman, drenched by the rain. dshevelied .
and IN iaiered garments. sunk on the ground
as she jonrneyed over the heath. She had
wandered from Ter home-home! alas she had
none! She was an orphan. Long had
mothers voice ceased to instruct her by its
preceps; fathers arm 10 protect and admin
lister by its labors to her assistance. Both
had been consigned 10 the grave; and Emma
was left without friend, on whom to depend
tar council or assistance. She was then beau
icons; her form and graceful movements were
those Of Diana; the health Of Hyeeia bloomed
apon her cheek; and the lily spotless white
ness lent lis complexion to her cheeS and
bosom. Her mind was intelligent, though
not learned; her heart a compound Of virtue
and cFeduli'y. Never had Emma performed
an act that was wrong, knoWiug it to be so
never suspected guile or treachery in another.
Judging the world as it were by the standard
oi her 0tcn honesty and truth Thus acting
and believing, unskilled in the deceptive char.
acter OF man forlorn and needy; she was APP
preached by youth, whose progressing form
and manners soon engaged her Affections
With the malice and the cunning Of the arch
feed ofold, he wooed, won, and deserted her
Wre,ched Emma! Virtue was once thy rich
est pride and soiace-- riytue' And is ii then
hut name tina, the charitable look at! Art
thou, Emma, still virtuons! Shall the fell
Vaccinations of william cast opprobrum up
Oh thy pnrer nature, which only his infamy
deserves! Yet il may be said that thon too
art infamous! No, not so; thou art wretcned,
hut not Infamous. II was not fault 10 be-
lieved; it was misfortune. Tha. innocence
which should have been Thy protection, is
nevertheless ,hy apology. You saw the tears
Tickle down from eyes, while those eyes bea-.
med rapture upon you you heard voice Sill
very and sweet, which formed itself to yonr
situation, declared its passions, and pledged
lis unal.erable truth. Could yon doubt il!
No: that heart which never deceived, that
heart which, had so often throbbed with sym
pathetic emotions al the Bare recital Of "past
tales of sorrow" could not suspect deception
in another. Who then. Emma, brands you
infamous! "What voice of sorrow breaks
upon my ear, giving to The nights loud gust
a wilder and more appalling accent" inqui-
red a horseman, as he cautiously approached
the spo, where the wreiched orphan lay. "A
being dsgraced; prosecuted by the world.
and forsaken by heaven. (shc replied.) Three
DAYS have passed since these fainished lips
have tasted the coa;sest food; and many a
long night, since the roof Of hospitality shell
cred her from the 'ptiless Storm am
woman; l am an Orphan :" Why have
you been prosecuted by the world! Why
should you be forsaken by heaven g. 81
thought not Of the opinions Of the one; and
violated an ordinance Of the other. / loved too
we'll and was undone!' fake thy msera-
bic fate ~ interrupted the horseman, and gal
Hoped forward. He was n,oralist. Through
the gloomy severity of the blast, firm aud
steady step was heard to approach. There
was something in its sound presaglng succor;
something which conveyed hope to the heart.
A GLOW Of comfort flashed upon her frozen
cheeks. delicious sensation, like TO that
which is experienced when we fsel the congo
NAL sigh breathe upon us, when IL leaves the
warm bosom Of frendship,) animated her new
life She rose will, strength aud feelings she
knew not how TO account for: she hurried TO
NEE, bin who approached her, and in the next
iastan, fell senseless into his arms. "Chlld
Of afIliciIon.'' inquired the stranger, as he
wrapped her sliivering form more 'enderly IN
his mantle. and watched the returning lie IN
her pallid face. by the indirect hean,ings OF
The moon, which had arisen: "ChId of az
1ciion. why hast thou, on this lone night.
wandered from thy friends and home = -
have nome" replied the diSconsolaie Emma
with convuIsed emotion, while she cast upon
him look. which might have melted stone.
and endeavored to relieve herself from his en-
BRACE |, was the first time since her unhap-
nv seduction, that she had been cherished by
man. II am very young (She coniinaed) but
have experienced an age OF misery. Stdnced
nv heart | believed to be the oracle OF truth
and consistency; an orphan; Stunned by my
former friends scoired at by my undoer; un-
pitied, unprotected, have wandered alone !;
The canopy Of heaven. at night. my only COW
eriny the scanty fruit Of the forest, ny only
sus,enance. could not love sin sufficient
10 pursue it for my bread !; and who would adj
minister 10 the woman dishonored Stranger.
The measure Of my suffering is filled. 10 a
few moments all that will remain OF the or
phan for the exercise Of thy humanity VIII be
the iniermen, Of her corpse, and the lnscrip'
ton of her offence. that others may profit by
her misforiunes, and snnn that rock on which
she struck and perished." ''Orphan thou
wilt no, die ~ replied the stranger, pressing
her cold form firmly in his arms. 81 am
childless.. and will make the mine. The
world shall vet respect and bless the orphan.
| whose offence is If ated with TOO much sever
ity. and whose wants it refuses TO supply
:. Whose voice is this,' exclaimed the sink.
ing Emma, through my bowildered brain
who calls me from the grave
Zone (repied the strangely VINO 'eeis y
is duty to succor the afflicted; one 'na' nes,
er spor,td with the unhappy. nor Psc'"'seo
bu, 10 perform." '.An2eI! minister Of hsay-
en- =. exclaimed the orphan. aud sunk her Icy
forehead mon his bosom. He was Mason
and the Mason has kept his word En'na
is seen, blooming and beautiful as ever, mo-
VIM in plenty. Her error has long since
been forgotten by all but herself, in ronsidera-
| lion Of her correct department, and The exer-
else Of her charities She is the almoner Of
the village. Her kindness heals the afflicted
| ha- ..aaants tame the nhduraie.s Once q year