Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1842-04-21
From the same.
TEaE EASTER EGG,
OR,
7 He TIILD'S TRIAL.
A TRUE STORY.
\ TRUE STORY.
BY MRS. SARGENT:


It ii a severe misfortune to be left an
orphan, though the bereaved child may
possess friends anxious and willing tc
do salfthat lies in their power to,alleviate
the. loss thus sustained; but when there
are no such friends, when circumstances
render it necessary for her to dwell in
the ONE of the stranger, when she ex-
periences neglect and unkindness, no
eye beaming affection upon her to tighten
her path. no kind word to greet her, then
she is an orphan indeed.
Little Jane Mansfield had lostbslh fa-
ther and mother ere she was six wears of
age, aad having no relatives, she went
to resisFssin Che family of her guardian.
Nj May had been married about SIX
months TO a fashionable belle Of New
York city, whose whole time was devoted
to dress. parties, and company. Jane
was calculated to interest all that be-
held her :; with disposition so amiable,
it seemed impossible not to love her; and
yet the heartess woman who regarded
her in the light Of an incumbrance, not
only treated her with neglect. but crael-
ty. To Jane every thing had changed,
and in the school of unner;ted rebuke,
harshness, and ill-temper, her character
was to be formed, and she educated and
prepared for eternity. 1t is said the
camosaile fourishes best. when mos
trampled upon. ltwould not have been
surprising if, under such circumstances,
the precepts so carefully instilled by an
exemplary mother should have been OBJ
liberated from James memory; but there
are dispositions so constituted, the good
seed once planted will have growth, and
though few weeds may spring ap to
mar the beauty Of its culture, they are
easily eradicated.
II was little more than a year since
Jane had been an inmate of her new "a
bcde, that, one day, as she was proceed
ing on her way TO school, she passed a
shep window filled with beautifully CO.
lored Easter Eggs. She stood several
inmates, regarding them with wistfu
eyes. How lovely they look 2 softly
murmured Jane; should like to know
their price, She stood celebrating he
Their to ask, or pass on her way TO school.
There's no harm in inquring,' was an
after thought so pushing the door gent
ly open. she asked the woman, in a sweet
subdued tote, If she would please tell
her the price Of the Easter Eggs. "A
cent apiece. Do you want one, child p
Not now, thank you, Jane replied
then closing the door. walked on. Her
eyes gistenesl with tears, and sigh was
audible. In the lifetime Of her parents.
Jane had always been allowed to graft
fly every innocent wish Of her heart; now
yesr had passed without her being mis-
tress Of as much as PENNY and as the
memory of the past came across her, she
wept bitterly. There was sinking OF
the spirit, and James lessons, which were
usually so we'll recited, were deficient.
The instructress. kind woman,
stroye to draw from the child the cause
OF her apparent melancholy. but through
the morning she preserved an entire ST.
lence, and not till The school was dismis
sed, did smile visit her countenance.
James thoughts had been dwelling up
on the Easter Eggs, and the possibility
Of obtaining possession of one. But how
asher object to be gained ? where was
she toprocure 4 penny? She could not
ask her steln guardian for one and bis
wife-the very thought Of soliciting 4
favor Of hef. made the child inSfinctively
shudder. Would not the woulaa trust
hriyhtened She was