The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-07-17
MISCELLANEOUS
Aunt Nancy
RY MRS. c. H. BUTLER.

J uSt where one oil luOSe QulSl SudOy lanes
emerges into the broad, open meadow, stands
a little grove of horse-chestnuts, locusts.s snow
balls, and lacs; and if you put aside the
branches, YOU will see little brown house
reposing in the centre, like a partridge on her
nest. Iu this quiet little cot lives an elderly
maiden, known throughout our village as
'sAunt Nancy As you peep through the
branches of the tall, white lilacs, should It be
in the morning) you will probably see Aunt
Nancy wedding among the beet and ONION
beds, or looking with pleased eye upon the
clusters ofs-china pinks, "'jItmpup,j ohnnleS,"
and s.Rone so prettys" which border the walk
through the centre of this little garden plot
Or, should it be in the evening" you will find
her with her clean muslin cap and spectacles,
her snowy 'kerchief pinned over her bosom,
and her neat bingham dress, sitting by the
window Before her is placed small round
table or stand, on which the Bible lies open,
and you will perceive that the eyes and
thoughts of good Aunt Nancy are deeply en-
crossed in the sacred page she is studying.
The history of Aunt Nancy Is this:
She was born in. the same house where she
is now sitting, of pious, industrious parents;
but while vet a very little girl, misfortune
came suddenly upon her father, and he was
was forced TO mortgage the homestead on
upon him; vainly he labored to redeem his
birthright: it was swept from him, aud at
length, broken hearted the poor man died.
For time, his widow and only child strug-
gled on in poverty and wretchedness, but the
widow too soon followed her husband 10 the
grave. and poor little Nancy was left irendless
and forlorn in the world. \ kind neighbor
received the orphan child into her family and
Is soou as she was old enough she was put
out to service. Little Nancy was gentle
and mournful child for she had known but
sorrow and dependence. One bright ray
Illuminated the dark memory of The past
her earliest DAYS Of childhood. To these,
her Thoughts ever required; and often would
The poor child be found at nighttall, when her
tasks for the day were ended, gliding like
shadow under the stone wall, or sitting with
her pale face resting on her hand, at the loot
of the large button-ball which shadowed the
little brook gurglng past her fathers door;
the door around which when happier little
thing. she had so merrily sported. catching
the butterflies in the deep clover, or listening
10 the birds which nowhere ever sang so
sweetly.
As Nancy grew older, one all-absorbing
thought by degrees took possession OF her
mind. 1t was strange idea forone so young.
SO poor, and so friendiess; it was to redeem,
with her OWE hands that cherished spOt-ihe
"home"--from W hich poverty had driven forth
her dear parents.
When she was about fourteen, lady, who
had been spending few weeks in our village
by chance met with the orphan child. and be-
ing pleased with her appearance, and with the
GOOD character which all the villagers gave hcI
engaged her to attend upon herself and child
And now the strange dream ofNancy seemed "a
brighten, aud cheerfully she accompanied hel
new mistress to New York. But the lady
did not prove as kind 10 the foriorn girl a
she had promised. The gCnteness OF Nancy
her patient accomplishing disposition, "er'
admirably calculated for the Miniature and lr
ritable temperament Of her mistress. Sh'
could vent all her spleen upon the pale.heart
stricken girl, who pever allowed herself L
murrnur at such injustice. One day Mrs
had been unusually severe. Nancy haC
used every exertion to please, but in vain, an,
in tears she retired TO her wretched bed. Sht
closed not her eyes all night, but lay revolv
Ing in her mind the misery Of her situation
but even lea, amid all her grief cleaned aia
off the old homestead. and still the futile hopt
that there she might yet repose, almost over
powered the sadness OF her present lot.
Her plans were formed, and first she deter
mined TO leave her cruel mistress; but shoGl,
she go? God, who sufiereth noti sparrow
TO fall to the ground unheeded, will help thee
poor child As soon as it was night, Maze,
stole softly down stairs and out of the house
She passed rapidly through many streets, onl
stopping now and then, as she went along
TO read the signs. At length she stopped be
fore the door of large three story house de
signated by shining brass plate,as aboard
ing-schoO for young ladies'" After som
hesitation she assembled the steps, rang tn
bell, and in a trembling voice, requested TO Sc
the principal of the establishment. She wa
shown into a little basement room, and no
very pleasantly ordered by the servant to wait
After some time, the lady of the honse enter
ed the room, and struck with the pallid coun
tenance of Nancy, spoke very kindly to her
Thus encouraged, the poor girl,while the tear
were streaming from her eyes, related her pit
iful tale, to W hich the lady listened apparentl
with much interest.
But why did you come to me, my poo
child J" she asked.
"Oh, madam, that might learn. o,
you will be so good as 10 receive me, L vii
work for you night and day; only let M
learn little, rery little, in your leisun
hours"
The school mistress was kind and benevo
lent in her feelings, with, moreover, littli
Spce OF romance. enc smiled at the earnest
ness of the child, and replied:
..Well, | think | may trust your looks tha
ron are not deceving me; it is strange sto
~ Won tell me, and your request is still NOR.
strange: MANY would think me very rash t
receive one who comes TO me in the mamie
YOU do" there her romance spoke in favo
of the poor suppliant,and after a few moment
of apparently pleased thought, she added;
yes I will take you, but not as servant
will place you in my school, and if you max
that progress which think you will THAT is
ifyou are sincere in what you ask,) you wi
soon be able to assist me in teaching the small
er scholars"
What language could express the astonlsh
ment and delight of the poor orphan as sh
listened to the words of the kind-hearted lady
She could make no reply; but with one pas
slonate burst of tears, falling on her knees,sh