Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-07-07

spend the night previous TO their departure,
with Mrs Sinclair. Her trunk was there
fore conveyed to the splendid mansion of
the rich widow, and placed in the hall, and
after carefully extinguishing the fire and
locking the door, she followed herself The
next morning they had just risen from the
breakfast table, when Mrs Mansfield in run
ming up stairs to procure something she had
left in her chamber, slipped and sprained
her ANGLE. At first, the injury appeared to
be slight, but the ANGLE soon became so
swollen, aud grew so painful that she found
she must give up all idea Of undertaking the
proposed Journey. Mrs Sinclair said that
she would likewise remain, but against this
Mrs Mansfield urged so many objections,
that she concluded to go, provided she
would promise TO remain at her house, where
she could receive every necessary attention,
till she had entirely recovered from the eff
fects OF the accident. This point was
scarcely settled, when the stage-coach drove
up before the house. In the hurry aud bus
tie of moment, Mrs Sinclair did not OBJ
serve that Mrs. Mansield's trunk, in the
room of her own, was transferred from the
hall TO the back of the coach. 1t was not
was going to stop for the night, that she dis
covered the mistake, and she then conclu-
ded not to return it, as Mrs Mansfield might
possibly be able to come herself in the course
Of few days. 1t was about an hour before
sunset the following day that a driver, stop
ping his horses in front of a large white
house, half EMPOWERED amidst shrubbery and
trees, opened the coach door and said "This
is where Mr. Harden lives" As soon as
Mrs Sinclair had alighted, she saw beau
tiGul girl fastening down the gravel walk to
welcome her.
"My dear aunt Mansfield, said she, hold
ing out her hand, show glad | am that you
have not disappointed me-"
"Shall set your trunk Just inside the
gate, mas am! ?" said the driver, before she
had time TO inform Florence that her name
was Sinclair.
'If you please" she replied in answer
to the driver, and again returning TO Flor
ence, was about to make an explanation, but
at the moment she was going to commence,
Florence again addressed her as aunt Mans |
field, and expressed her regret that her ia I
ther had been obliged TO leave town few
days previous, on account of business and
would probably be detained several weeks. |
This information suddenly suggested the |
plan of suffering the family to take her for
Mrs Mansfield; as from her they had moth |
ing to hope, she imagined they would not |
be likely to assume the virtues which they
did not possess. She did not repent the |
plan she had decided upon when she enter
ed the paror. She received a very cool
welcome from Mrs Harden and her daueh-
ter Melissa.
"Have you dined to-day, aunt 7" said
Florence, finding that her mother did not
seem likely to make any inquiry Of the
kind
81 have not" she replied "On account
Of being overloaded we arrived so late at
the hotel where the passengers usually dine,
that 1t gave us so little time, only few at
tempted TO eat anything"
'As aunt Mansfield has not dined," said
Florence to her mother in low voice, chad
not better put slice Of ham upon the
tableW
Certainly if your aunt wishes it," she
replied in voice which she took little pains
to suppress-"bnt we are not in the habit of
placing ham upon the tea table"
81 would not have you depart from your
usual custom on my account" said Mrs
Sinclair 81 do not wish better meal than
can make on bread and butter and tea"
melissa and |" said Mrs Harden, make
APPOINT keeping avery plain table when
Mr. Harden is absent, and what we save in
that way we apply to charitable purposes
Perhaps however you are one of those who
do not think IT proper to give to the poor,
~ ehn
"A widow" she replies, "who has no.
thing but what she earns with her own
hands, may oftener possess the will than
the means of relieving the destitute. have
however sometimes in a humble way, been
able to impart relief so as TO leave smiles
on those faces which have found dimmed
with tears"
girl now appeared at the door and re-
quested Mrs Harden to step into the adioin-
ing apartment, as she wished to speak with
her.
"Well, speak," said her mistress, am
ready to hear what you have to saw"
The girl blushed aud hestated, and then
approaching her, addressed her in low !
voice.
81 suppose" said she, "as you have got
company | must put the tea urn and the Gilt
china upon the table"
"And | suppose you must do no such
thing" said Mrs. Harden in petuant tone ,
of voice, though so low she imagined il
could not reach the ears of her unwecome
guest. "Let one piece be broken, and the
whole set is spoit."
swell, l don't know what to make of
your mother, she is so full of whims," said
the girl to Florence, who was assisting her. /
aha snlA 9TH Il