Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-03-17
HELEN MOB Z TON:
OR, THE BEST OF SISTERS.

strange mood Tonight said the lisl,t-l,cart-
ed Ned Carleton, to his friend Frank Som.
erby, ut the close of an hours conversation
one cold evening in December, as they were
sitting by blazing fire in II handsome and
we'll lighted apartment So you think there
is very little worth living for in this cold
hearted and hypocr,ticaI world7 You, too,
have every thing apparently to make man
i,appy-being young, handsome, rich, stand
ing high in your profession. a favoritc, and
Aattercd by all. You arc spphed Child of
Fortune, Frank. Have you been frowned
upon by the fascinating Florence, or the
beautiful Clara Or what is the matter
with your
You know very well, Ned, a thing so
light as a won,an's smile or frown would have
no effect upon me. am weary of those but
terfies fntcring away their brief round of
existence, IN the idl,. and frivolous dissipa-
ton IF the fashionable world. Is there one
among the number that sensible man would
choose as ii companion and friend for life 7
] know not one
Il cry your mercy, Frank, said Ned, sni-
ln.'y.'l beg you to except onn, at least,
and 10; condemn my gentle and amiablc
Maria I" place she so little deserves
You are right, Ned, and | except her
witl,ou, hesitation, for under the care Of
wise, pious, and pnrc-hear,ed mother, she
has become IA model to her sex, of which |
am sure they all have need enough
think you are too severe, Frank, and
having mother and sister like yours, should
teach yon more respect to woman-kind.'
Their brilliancy but makes the rest seem
darker for tho contrast. Why is il, as you
say, that am haltcrcd and caresscJ by the
society | move in Not on my own ac-
count, nor from pure morals and cultivated
mind, or any good quality, but because, for
soo,h, am rich. L, is always so let man
be rich, If he be the vcriest prongate in the
world, society flwns upon him, excuses his
weaknesses aud is blind TO his crimes. |
will never marry until find one who will
love me for myself alone
And that may be the case sooner than
you dream of. But come, Frank, know no
better remedy for low spirits, than to do good,
to some body or other tina, stands in need Of
Kindness. So il you like we will go and see
that poor man vas telling you Of yestcr-
day, whose leg was broken by the accident
that happened on the rail-road.'
Frank was ever ready at the call of mer-
cy and charity, and pntIng on their over
coats, the young men sailed forth in the keen
frosty air.
Frank Somerhy's father died when his son
was hut boy. leaving AN ample fortune to
his widow and two children, Frank, and his
beautiful sister Maria. Frank had devoted
L.: ,..l. l.. 4
to an rmincnce rarely obtained by one SD
young. Ill. had seen too much of the FASH
i,nahle world not to be disg"strd with the
hypocrisy. artnlness, and hollow hr.a,!,cd
hhlrry which are apparent 10 even super
fetal observer. He Iongcd to turn aside
ir,nli- great ,liorous I'tare of life into the
more shaded and quiet paths Of domestic hap
piness.
1t was some distance to the poor man $
dwelling, and rather late when the young men
reached it. They found him cheerful and
resigned under his misfortune, and only anx-
ious for his family, who depended entirely
upon his labor. They told linn no, to be UNI
easy, bn, keep up good heart and cheerful
trust in Divine Providence, for his family
should not suffer while he was able to lrlI
them. The gratitude Of the whole famil.
more than repaid the young men for Their
walk, and Franks heart felt lighter from the
joy that good action always brings will, it,
> They were proceeding with rapid steps to.
, wards their homes, when, on passing "a small
, and retired house, the window was suddenl,
opened, and the soft sweet voice of u youn!
girl in trenulous accents begged them tt
come to her assistance. On their nearer ap
I proach, asking pardon for the liberty she ha,
G taken. she begged one of them to haste 70
G Dr.. H., as her brother was taken alarminpl
!. i'll. Ned Immediately departed to perform
E her request, while Frank remained to sec
. he might not be Of further service. The Ia
dy who had spoken to him was young, ap
. parenlly about eighteen, Of fine form an
Il pleasant manners. Her countenance was re
,. markaOlr, not for the beauty of mere rcgula
!. features, but for its amiabIc and intellge,
expression, although now clondcd with anxi
city for her brother. The latter, boy {
about fourteen, was lying on the sofa nra
tho fire. Ills sister sat by I,Is side, ana be
gan to ba,lIe his forehead, gazing ,enderl
oA him with fearful eyes.
! 'Don'i br distressed for me, deares, H..
% en-, shall he better when our good dnc,,
comes. iiark do not hear him 2 said III
&c as the sound Of rapid footsteps rang from ii
frozen ground.
:, Il hope so, dear Arthur; ! said his sis,e
y as she rose to look out and sec.
& In moment the door opened. and, wi
j. Ned, entered the kind and benevolent dot
T. tor, whose countenance expressed kind
a. sympathy with the suffering around him.
Atter speaking cheeriully 10 Helen, and sh
. king hands with Frank, with whom he W,
e. well acquainted, he turned TO his patient, a.,
e. feeling his pulse, he began to make some el
re q"'r'es relative to his illness, which he SOC
II. pronounced to arise from violent cold. ar
-, having given the necessary directions he ro
". to take leave, saying he would call very car
a' IN the morning. The youag gentlemen al
or rose, and after receiving IIelen's thanks
By their kindness, and begging permission to c,
nd again, they all retired.
II On their way home, the doctor gave the