Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-02-24

nave every proof that William Clively il
very wild, and his father quite unable &c
support him in his present Extravaganza
See here, love, | have brought my Knitting
so take up your work from the window-silI
and thus, while we are quite industrious,
will proceed to tell you that my sketch
commences when | was about a twelve.
month older than you are. You under.
stand me, love? Grace blushed and smiled
81 had a rebellious heart, too and there
was one for whom it was rebellious-onc
whom 1t had set up as the idol of its idola.
try, and one whom, unfortunately, neither
OF my parents approved. But yet, Grace. ]
own that | thought my knowledge of his
habits far exceeded theirs and all | knew
OF him was fair and open. Things contin-
ued thus for about eighteen months, at the
end OF which time my eyes were f%earlully
opened to his vices-he committed a forgery
and absconded though it is probable, had
he staid, no injury would have awaited him,
Tor his friends, who were wealthy and pow
erful, made up the sum he had risked so
much, and paid it Grace, for it was for some
time, even then, before | could perfectly
win my heart from his idolatry but it had
seen its error, and my mind was made up
to overcome such peryersity, and | did
Yes, Grace; | knew what it was to feel
cherished affections wearing against my
" convictions of right. You will per-
haps say that he had deserted me, and it
might be that pride rose superior to neglect
and slight but not so. lie did not desert
me for though all others were ignorant of
his destination, ! knew whittier he had fled.
and from thence received a letter full of
affection and repentance of past follies.-
But, Grace, had | forgiven or rather over
looked his vice (for | did forgive) | never
could have placed confidence in him aoain !.
SO wrote him once, but that once was TO
discard him forever. From that time /
busted myselfin work in tending my garden
IN assisting my %neighbors, and, indeed. in
ways of which | had not though: of
before. l saw that people approved my
conduct, too every eye greeted me, every
tongue welcomed me in Joyous tones; and
IN time my own heart grew Joyous, and
felt a ~lightness ii had never known ill then
in its widest moments of affection for
the now unworthy. But | did not know
The fnllness of the happiness | was to reap
rom that one era ofm, life till five years had
During that period, love, your dear
father had wooed me, and knowing from all
hat he was beloved and respected, he won
although not a fifteenth part so hand
or engaging i'll his manner as he of
have been speaking. But he soon
me to love him-I do not mean with
he glrlish wildness ! had loved before-but
With an affection which might last through
sorrow, sickness, death as it has done dear
Grace !'
The tears started to the sweet eyes of
trace and fell thickly upon the border
N which she was so busily plying her nee
lie, as the thought of her fond father pass
ID across her heart, and smote il for its re-
'ellion against her will to whose care he
lad solemnly entrusted her on his death-bed.
mother was also silent for a few mo-
nents.
"Well, love-" she at length resumed.
you were but a few months old, when. one
ay, was sitting with You in a small arbor
the garden of the dwelling where we re-
lded. On a sudden l heard the latch of
ne garden gate raised, and q poor emacia-
looking man toiled up the sunny walk.
lie appeared in the last stage of wretched-
ess, aud sickness seemed to add its heavy
Dad OF misery where there already appear-
d to be an accumulation of ills. | rose
nth an intention ofinquiring into his con-
ltion, and relieving him as far as my means
'ould permit and taking you in my arms,
stood before him. But, Grace, | suppose
lat time had not SO changed me as it had
one him, for he instantly calculated my
laiden name Yes, love, YOU NAV well
rop your work and raise your eyes. 1t was
ideed he whom loved, and persisted in
wing, In opposition to my parents iudg-
tent. At that moment your father an. !
cared at the door, and when / looked on ,
and him, contrasted with the wretched :
ass OF filth that shrunk before me, nv ,
cart leaped with gratitude to God for teach
g me to subdue my own evil passions,
our father had known, before our mar !
age, all the circumstances concerning 4,
m and myself, so that a few words made !
to him the cause Of the surprise pic '
red IN both our cou~ntenances; and TO .
AXE me love and reverence him still more. :
at good man relieved his present wants. and
and clothed, and lodges that repentant n
eature IN a neighboring cottage till he $
covered health and strength-nay, more. y
concealed his name from all inquirino 4
RS, and not an eye which had once known h
'uld now recognise George May I" P
George May, Mamma p =
Yes, love; George May The same who e
to pay us the yearly visit from London,
evince his gratitude for your fathers +
ndness. The same who died of a decline r.
ven years after, leaving you the Bible and tt
'ayer-book as the only legacy which could Il
bestowed by poor, but repentant George ~
ay But now dear, it is growing quite Il
| will go and see our evening meal W
and when we have taken that.