Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-11-10
THE BOUND GIRL.
A TALE OF REAL LIE E.
CHAPTER I.


CHAPTER I.
In the drawing room of the most princely
mansion in Philadelphia, sat Mrs Marston,
and her daughter Amelia, fashionable
Young lady of seventeen-the former en-
gagged in reading, the latter in working upon
lace, from beautiful design which lay be-
fore her. 1t was magnificent apartment
in which they sat, correspondent with the
unlimited means of the wealthy merchant,
Mr.. James Marston. The luxurious sofas
the highly finished mahogany chairs, with
their spring seats--the rich, soft carpets
the large French mirrors, in their heavy gilt
frames-the suberb paintings that adorned
the walls-and the many other magnificent
things that decorated the apartment-all
spoke of the circumstances of the inmates.
A bright fire glowed in the CRATES, and diff
fused a grateful warmth throughout the
room, aud whose value was more deeply felt
as the biting December wind was heard
whsting without.
abr exclaimed Mrs Marston, as she
arose from her seat, with the newspaper still
in her hand, Il see the Harpers have just
published another novel by James. | must
send Kate for it Immediately
So saying, she left the room. In few
moments she returned.
Dear me- how cold il is 1t makes me
SILVER to leave the fire but for moment
She drew her chair nearer the FIRE, and
again took up the paper. She cast her eye
over it, and read aloud the following article;
we have been informed that a committee
of benevolent gentlemen have been busIly
engaged, these few days past, in calling up
on some of the wealthy families of our city,
for the purpose Of soliciting donations for
the relief of the suffering poor. 1t is a
praiseworthy undertaking, and they deserve
the warmest eulogiums, as also do those
who have already contributed most munlh-
Gently We have the names of some of the
donors, which we intend publishing, that the
poor may know to whom they are indebted
Let the good work 90 on. Remember that
he who giyeth to the poor lendeth to the
Lordp
Scarcely had she finished reading when
the door bell rang and, shortly after, SER
want ushered in the Rev. Mr. Warner and
Mr.. James The former was the pastor Of
the Episcopal church, in which the Marsion
family had an elegant cushioned pew, with a
silver plate upon the door, and which said
pew they filled regularly every Sunday morn
ing. The other gentleman was leading
member of the church, and distinguished
literary man.
The usual salutations were soon gone
through with, and the gentlemen were
seated.
1t is very cold to-day, gentlemen, OBJ
served Mrs. Marston.
VERY = replied the visitors.
Almost too clustering to move from the
fire. Is it not bad walking through the
snowF
'It is, indeed madam answered the cler-
gyman and you are no doubt surprised TO
find us paying visits on such day. But our
object in dong so, is one that calls for
prompt attenton-one that our hearts bid
us not delay. Simply, it is this, madam
We are about raising fund to be appropri-
ated to alternating, in some measure at least,
the condition of the poor, and we are now
soliciting subscriptions. We have called
upon many, and they have responded will
lingly to our requests. Here is the list oil
names with the amounts given
She took the paper and read it over.
Then taking gold pencil from her belt, she
wrote upon the scroll, Jane Marston-two
hundred dollars
There, said she, as she put the paper in
to Mr. Warmers hand, Il do indeed feel for
the suffering poor, and am always happy to
do what can for their relief Theirs is q
hard lot
Thank you--thank you, my dear madam
Yours is generous heart And now we
must bid you good afternoon, Tor we have
many calls to make. Allow us again to
thank you warmly. Good-day.' And bow
ing low, they departed.
How foolish you are, maj exclaimed
Miss Amelia, when their visitors were gone
Two hundred dollars thrown away fol
nothing I'd have seen them far enough
before / would have given them such sum.
Yes, yes. my dear; but the list,-the list
There was Mrs. Weton down for a hun