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

MIN.
Lonely. indeed, would have been the
home of the bereaved husband, but for the
daughter, who had grown up in the beauty
of early womanhood by his hearth, whose
sunny smiles 50 often diSpelled his gloom
when cares pressed heavily upon his heart,
and whose sweet voice cheered and conso-
led him.
The next morning Hester looked up all
the old spelling books in the house, and with
many kind words of advice and encourage
ment prepared the children for school,
They departed in the highest spirits; and
YOU must not suppose that Hester repined at
her own lot, when tell you, that closing the
door upon her loneliness, she wept long and
freely. They were natural tears which
were soon dried in the light Of a cheerful
spirit.
many blamed StephenWilson for permitting
his daughter 10 undertake it; in addition to
the cares of the family. They knew not
the strong affection, the yearning anxiety
for the welfare Of her younger brothers and
sister. which prompted and supported her
Not household duty was neglected; not
one of the thousand nameless attentions to
the comfort of her father omitted; but the
board was duly spread, the fire shone bright
lv on the clean hearth, and no children
were so neatly clad, or so punctual at school
az those of Stephen Wilson. If Hester's
cheek grew Shade more pale with such
continual exertion, she felt herself we'll re-
paid when, in addition to the remarkable
progress of her brothers, she had the pleas
ure of hearing little Molly read chapter
in the Bible for the first tirne, and knew that
through her means the hitherto sealed foun-
tain Of eternal life was opened to the pre-
cious child.
But, though animated by noble purpose,
and never for moment regretting the
choice she had made, Hester had her trials,
and sore ones too, for young girl. Every
morning, just as she had finished the work
of the house, and was sitting down to her
daily, employment, Jemima Eldridge came
by, on her way to school, looking so fine, SO
happy-and Hester fdncied that of late she
had assumed airs of superiority over her
old friends. At night too, Jemima was sure
to stop in, just to rest minute; and some
how or other she could talk Of nothing but
the schoolmaster, his beauty. his learning,
his genteel manners, and interesting i'll
health; and how she could not find oNt
where he came from, or anything about him
a mystery which greatly enhanced his i'm
portsnce in her eyes-always ending by pi-
tying poor Hester's hard fortune in being
Twenty times day did Hester blush to
find herself thinking Of the schoolmaster.
whom she had not yet seen, and no wonder
If she felt little flurried when the children
informed her that Mr.. Avery, in his progress
Of "bearding round" would be their guest
next week. II was new era in the life of
Hester Wilson; for, except her father and
the good old minister, she had never spent
an hour in the society Of gentleman. Not
that Hester had not plenty of rustic admit
rers, but a certain dignity of manner had
compelled them to rest content with render
ing the homage Of their eyes. Notwithstand.
ing natural grace that would have adorn.
ed any station, she was bashful to painful
degree, and would gladly have dispensed
with the established usage; but it was not
to be thought of, SO she set herself resolutely
to prepare for the reception Of her expected
x--.---y Iusy,y5 uo Tvs.
even in better houses than Mr.. Wilson'S,
was often used as sleeping apartment, was
cleaned, the whitewashed fireplace filled
with evergreens, and the we'll sized bed sup
piled with snowy linen. Two whole days
were spent in preparing for his substantial
entertainment, and "last, though not least"
in the scale of importance, her slender
wardrobe was examined, and good deal of
womanly indecision manifested, as to which
OF her two best dresses was the most beco.
ming, the blue or pink calico. At last the
dreaded day arrived, and with It Edward
Avery. Hester thought all her hustle and
anxiety had been thrown away on one who
seemed so dignified. so proud-like, that he
did not notice any thing around him. He
did not praise the pumpkin pies, apple tarts,
or dough-nuts, on the manufacture Of which
she had exhausted her skill she would not
nave been pleased had he done so, vet she
5elt dissatisfied, and never was rSisouer
more rSoiced to escape from his thraidom.
than was Hester, at nine o'clock, to retreat
to her little roon. fit be true that our last
waking thoughts flow on in dreams, you can
easily guess what visions haunted the pillow
Of Hester Wilson that night.
The next morning she was careless about
1t, and IN few days Edward went and came
IN MS quiet way, seeming SO like one Of tho
family that she wondered how his preseace
Could ever have disturbed her. Tho last eve-
ming Of the week came, and Hester felt sad
perhaps she was thinking how much she
should miss the interesting books Mr.. Avery
read aloud every evening, or that her father
would DO lonely when there was no one to
talk with him, or-but whatever her tho'ts
were, her eyes filled with tears, and she turn.
ed her wheel with renewed energy. At
small table near her sat Edward Avery, sha.
ding his eyes with his hand, seemingly alb
sorbed in book. but in reality studying with
intense interest the half averted face Of the
unconscious Hester. He knew why she toll
ed early and hate, when other girls Q finer age
IN the village were going to school, for Jack,
in the ardcr Of his brotherly love, had reveal
ed H. He had seen her aftectionate and du.
fiftl conduct as daug her solicitude and
untiring exertions for these who looked up to
her. and as he gazed on her. 60 young, so de.
voted, with her slender figure bending grace.