The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-03-15

dare not marry Diana-why said 1 had no
taste for becoming a slaveP
'And the poor dependent niece said
Mr. Parks pursuing his own train ofthought
without answering his friend; it seems
that she, too, is doomed to life oftoil, that
the others may repose in elegant idleness p
The dependent niece! Do you mean
Mary Sumner ? asked Mr.. Eaton.
Who else could meant said MIR Parks.
But pray continued he, in tone that be-
trayed some little impatience-'pray repeat
no more of my words, but tell me at once
something about this strange family
Il WILL said Mr.. Eaton, because for so
intimate an acquaintance, your ignorance
is truly wonderful. The family, however,
is no more strange than hundreds of other
families in our country, where the husband
and father drudges on in perpetual seryi-
tude, that his family may live in elegant l.
dLeneSs, as you call it. But to my story !:
Mr.. Berry married his present wife, when
Elizabeth, than his only child, was nine or
ten years old. Mrs. Berry Uas and as Just
like whole host of other women; good
tempered enough, if nothing crosses her
will and kind-hearted enough, if nothing
comes in contact with her selfishness. l
have heard my mother say that until she
had daughters of her own, she treated Eliz-
abeth passably well but from that period,
till the children no longer needed care Of
that kind, she was an overweight nursery
maid
Where was her father = demanded Mr..
Parks indignantly.
Attending to his business answered his
friend; 'and Ell zabeth was n sweet tenn
pered, unr COMPLAINING child. But don't ln-
terrupt me- When the little misses were
old enough TO go to school, Elizabeth was
permitted TO go also for from the period
of Lucretia's birth. there had been almost
an entire suspension of her school educa-
ton. This, however. did not last long; for
her mother found her so uery useful athome,
that she cGuId not spare her. From that
time TO the period of her last sickness, she
was as faithful domestic drudge, as any
family was ever blest with, filing all offices
by turns--seamstress, laundress, chamber
maid, cook and nurse
Il can respect Mr. Berry no longer 7 ex-
claimed Mr.. Parks.
you must and will, said MIR. Eaton,
for he is very every why worthy oil respect.
The fact was. his daughter never complain
ed, and he suffered himself to be hoodwink-
ed. Hearing of no unkind or unreasona-
BILE usage, he suspected nome"
"iIe could not be ignorant" said Mr..
Parks, shat she filled only the place OF an
upper servant from her being excluded from
society!"
"She was not excluded from society"
said Mr.. Eaton. .'For the gay and FASH
ionabIe circle in which her mother and SIS.
moved, she had little relish but her asso-
ciaies were among the first, both in resPec
liability and rank
But she had no education,' remarked
Mr.. Parks.
Her mind was much more highly cult
waited than either Lucretia's or Opna's
said Mr.. Eaton. 'All the leisure time she
had was devoted TO this object, instead oi
being spent in the acquisition of snowy ac-
compIishinents, adjoining her person or IN
gay society. Mrs. Berry designed that her
daughters should have finished educations
but she fell into the mistake which Is SO
common to vulgar minds, that usefulness
and genrility are incompatible ; consequent.
w, the education Of The young ladies is far
more brilliant than solid
with Mrs. Berry have never been
particularly pleased said MIR. Parks; but
with such mother as You describe her to
be, eanno, understand how the daug
became what they are-so amlable, and SC
well principled.'
The instincts of DIANA Mr.. Eaton re-
piled, were all of an amiable character
and she Welded herself in some degree ia
the influence of her sister Elizabeth. Yet
after all, she is the child of impulse rather
than principle and Notwithstanding all
her attractions, she is the most useless crea.
ture alive
But from whence came the superiority
of Lucretia 2 inquired Mr.. Parks.
! Superiority in whstr demanded hl'
friend.
| In principle. and in both elegant ant
useful mental requirements, replied Mr.
Parks.
/ Mr.. Eaton hesitated awhile, and ther
looking his friend full in the face, said
Do YOU wish me to speak the whole truth
or are YOU too much in love to bear II !
+ Were ever so much in love, answered
Mr.. Parks, the truth is Just what should
wish 10 learn :,
well then, will speak freely. And
think that away from her mother and SIS
ter. and under good Influence, Diana Der
nv might vet make a very valuable, as wei
as lovely woman: but LucretIa. never !
She is past all hope; perfect compound
of artifce, deceit, arrogance and selfish
ness!
Mr.. Parks started as if stung by viper
DO YOU mean what you sayP he inquir
ed.
Il not only mean what say, but kno'
that say truth. Her only principle Of &c
ton, is 10 secure her own ease, her own ad
vantage, and to attain her own ends, le
who will suffer. Pride and selfishness ar
her dominant passions and to grani.
these, all her artifice and deceit are caiie'
into exercise. You know nothing OF VIVA
N--a