Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-07-28
From Chambers Edinburgh Journal
GEORGE SELDEN THE GENIUS,

One cold evening in January, young
man, who, though clad respectfully, was not
well protected from the inclement weather,
took his station in London stage-coach
yard to await the arrival of some country
friends. The hustle which was going on
around him did not attract much of his al,en-
ton. Except when interrupted by push
from porter, or to escape being run over
by a horse or cart, he seemed entirely i'm
mersed in his own musings. Suddenly his
face was lighted up with smile-a smile of
inspiration, and thrusting his hand into his
pocket he drew forth pencil and paper
He then retired into doorway, and COM
merced writing.
In the meantime, the coach whose COM
ing he waited was driven into tho yard, and
while the busy operation of unloading was
going on, while most of the passengers were
heartily greeting the friends who had come
to meet them, a widow and her daughter
were looking about in vain for their friend.
One by one their fellow passengers dropped
off, and they were left alone, standing on the
pavement beside their luggage. They ex-
hiblted signs of great disappointment. They
had only one acquaintance in the vast will
derness, London. He had promised to meet
them, and was not there. They were for
the moment quite at IA loss to know what to
do. AT last by-stander recommended them
to take shelter in the travellers room of the
inn. Their boxes we're accordingly being
removed thther, when one was accidentally
knocked against a person standing most in
conveniently in the passage. He uttered an
angry exclamation, and, looking up, perceiv-
ed the very persons for whose arrival he
ought to have more vigilantly watched. But
now his anger, and the cold abstractness of
his manner, gave way to an opposite ex-
tremc. He greeted his friends with warm
but unaffected delight: though by far the
greater and more enthusiastic share fell to the
younger female.
In less than half an hour the three friends
we're enjoying a refreshing meal, in humble
but neatly furnished apartment in the out
skirts of the city. Really, George said
the elder traveller, looking around the room,
admire your taste exceedingly. You have
taken for US very neat and comfortable
lodging
Il have lived in the house ever since
came to London returned George Selden,
and have been treated well enough by the
landlady, though do not trouble myself
much about these things. But what news
can you give me of Daleton
'Alas!' was the reply, Il little but VIVA,
concerns ourselves, and that is sad, very sad.
Nay, mother, no desponding,' said her
daughter. with an effort at gaicty. you
cannot imagine, George, what trouble she
gives me to keep up her spirits. She will
not understand that brighter prospects are in
store for US. In the first place, am not a
most lucky girl to get the situation of daily
governcss in Mrs. Webb's family7 Has no.
she, also, promised to procure me other pu.
pills :?
Besides interrupted George Seden
there will be time, my dear Mrs. Cooper
when union of hopes, long nurtured, will
give you claim upon The exertions of u
both,'
Miss Bessie Cooper blushed, and sudden
y dropped her eyes to look at the pattern o
| the carpet.
. Patience is all that we require, and no
, much patience ether continued young Sci
, den, before we shall be placed beyond eve'
apprehension of poverty. shall soon leav
my present employment, and shall soar abov
the intellectual degradation which it is nov
my fate to suffer, as a grocer's ASSISTANT
One of my poems has already appeared il
the Monthly Literary Boquet.'
But have you no settled prospect of bet
tering your condition, in the event of you
leaving your present situa,ion7' enquire
: Mrs. Cooper.
mo prospect exactly settled; nothin
: positively Definite replied the poet. BIT
Fl. l know, | feel, that shall one day be ap
: preciated-that shall hold proper ran
G in the literary world. have been writing
!. tragedy lately; it is finished all but the fift
act, and that will be done now in very sho
!. time. l always think poetry when l al
:. walking, and write it down the first opport,
"A nifty. l was scribbling brilliant idea f
y v my fifth act when first saw you.'
&c No remark followed, but the two femal,
'e exchanged glances expressive of sorrow an
IL disappointment. 1t seemed as if this al
nouncement, though intended to give the
r. pleasure, damped the hopes which alread
Is. existed IN their minds. When they part,