Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1842-10-07
THE MYSTERIOUS DAUGHTER.
BY Mrs. MARY r. NALL.

iswhle others pine and anguish for the neces-
ysaries of life. Some enter upon the stage
-lof life with fortunes in their hands, while
-lothers commence with trihe, or nothing,
ewho rise 10 afllnehce and honor-some who
hbegin with their thousands, meet with many
unexpected misfortunes which deprive them
-of'what they possossed-but by diligence
oand economy soon regain it while others
by extravaganza sink to rise no more. Such
are the calamites shall endeavor to lay be-
fore my readers in the course of my little
narrative. t7Fq
l'lHI do not write, merely to please the mag
-'ination of the romantic lover, or the profess
ed novel reader-but shall endeavor TO meet
ithe appreciation Of those who look for a NOR
al in every tale they read. 1t was beauti-
full fmorning in the month of September,
when William Harson and Henrietta Man
tour knet before the sacred altar, to plight
their VOWS of eternal consistency and love-
Both were young, and both possessed all
the graces Of their sex.
anNCol. Harson was an orphan, and large
fortune fell to him from his father, which
was greatly increased by handsome mar
riage portion with his wife. Their love was
mutual-and fortune smiled upon them in
so hattering manner, that they little sus-
pected day Of sorrow and distress would
be their lot But it came at length, and ere
they had been married twenty years, they
were nearly destitute of the comforts of life.
But their poverty was not the fruit Of negli-
gence, or extravaganza. Sickness-failure
of banks-fire and many msfortunes, had
by degrees consumed and scattered their es-
tate, and left them to depend upon their own
exertions for support, AT this time their
family consisted of a son, whom we shall call
Elwin and two daughters, Isidore aud Elvi-
ia. Elyin had now attained his nineteenth
year-hc was a noble youth, upon whose
countenance might be traced the feelings Of
his Utmost soul Isdore resembed her
brother, only her features were cast in a
finer mould. Her dark eyes sparkled like
dew upon the rosebud, when exposed to the
morning sun-while her raven locks hung
profusely over her polished brow; or bound
in tresses round her head
afBut quite the reverse from this, was her
sister Elvira, whose transcendent loneliness
can better be imagined than described Her
form was about the middle height-her eyes
were of heavenly blue, which seemed to
shed divine influence on all aronnd-ihe
strained beautifully with the lilly Its near
est companion Her bright auburn hair
was parted from off beautiful forehead, and
fell in natural ringlets over her alabaster
neck and shoulders. Isidore was now de
bout eighteen years ofage, and Llyira sixteen.
Although Edwin and his two sisters tIl a-
ways moved in the first circle m L0s a
Col Harson and his wife thought proper 90
10 10
check the growth of pride in their children
while in the bud and instill into their youth
ful minds fixed principles of humility and
condescenson
~ They were never permitted to ridicule the
poorer classes OF, people, on account of their
poverty--but were taught to relieve their suf
ferings, by administering to their wants
providing for them the little necessaries which
they could not obtain, and comforting those
who were borne down with sickness and
distress. BY pursuing this course, they
were not only beloved by all who knew them
but the poor, as well as the rich, lamented
their fall from prosperity to adversely Col
Harson's family bore their misfortunes will
surprising patience, declaring, at the same
time, if it was the will of Providence to thu.
reduce their circumstances, they were will
ling to submit-believing he orders all thing'
for the best.
To satisfy the demands Of creditors, Col
Harson was obliged to dispose of his SPLEEN
did mansion together with most Of his yalu
able household furniture. He then resolved
to leave the busy scenes of London, and re
tire to more obscure yet pleasant spot, ant
spend the remainder OF his days in retire
ment The place he selected, was beauti
full little village, about one hundred mile
from London, on the banks of river, who's
waters were lost in the mighty deep, few
rods from their dwelling. Col. Harson'
family took a solemn yet interesting leave o
their former associates, and soon after com
menced their journey. In due time they ar
rived at the village, when Col. Harson point
ed out their future place Of abode. A tea
stole down the cheek of Isidore as she gaz
ed upon the cottage, which was to becom
their home.
The lovely Elvira raised her mild, blu
eyes towards her sister, and demanded VIII
she wept.
II weep not for you, dear Elvira, neithe
do weep for myself, or Edwin, for we ar
young-but when think of my dear pa
rents, cannot bear to have them thus e,
posed to want
'They shall never want, replied Edwin Z
it is in my power to prevent it,
They had now arrived at the cottage, an
after alighting from the carriage, which cor
veyed them thither, they entered. No chez
fu blaze was seen upon the hearth-no on
was near to welcome their arrival. A hal
suppressed sigh proceeded from Edwin, a
no andaavorad and M lenuth snccaeded i