Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-02-14

the physician that sea air and bathing might be
of service to her, she set off immediately with the
invalid, late as was the season, for long Branch
The benefit which she derived from this change
was soon apparent in her looks She grew strong
er her wasted form began to assume the round
ness of health, and her step to regain its eastlci-
y Her spirits, however did not keep pace with
her health--she was not melancholy, nor did she
replne but there was gravity, quetness a.
bout her, that was unnatural in one so young
Before they returned to town, Laura spoke toI
Mrs Neville of her destitute condition, and of
her desire to obtain some situation by which she
could support herself Mrs Neville strove to d-
vert her mind from dwelling upon objects of such
painful consideration, but she required to it time
fer time and when they returned home, she
firmly assured Mrs Neville that she could no
longer think ofremaining a burhen upon the
kindness of friends, who had already done more
for her than any act of hers could ever repay
Mrs Neville had in the most delicate manner, af,
lorded her home, and the place of daughter
under her own roof but she found it impossible
to induce her to accept her generous offers. She
wept and thanked her kind friend with deep
gratitude, for all her kindness, but remained firm
to her purpose and Mrs Neville, finding it in
vain to resist, was soon compelled to yield to her
wishes.
A situation soon presented itsef---and a little
time saw Laura established as an assistant COVER
ness in seminary for young ladies. Madame
Chaudron, in whose establishment she was now
an inmate, was French lady of high character
and attachments. She had educated two daugh-
tiers of Mrs Nevllles now married. and was fire.
quent visiter at the house. Laura, had herself
applied to her for the situation, and she entered
upon its duties with alacrity and ability
Circumstances, which in all cases modify the
human character, had widely changed that Of
Laura. The petted, helpless girl, whose life had
been one joyous holiday, was now transformed
into a grave, thinking, sel-reyng woman---act-
ing for herself and deciding from the dictates of
her own Judgment. 1t is possible, that had not
events thus developed her character, the high
qualities which she possessed might have lain
dormant but once aroused her whole being was
awakened, and never did a character come out
more beautifully from the fiery ordeal Of afllic-
ton
About year after she had gone to Madame
Chaudron's, Mrs Neville died, after very few
hours illness This was a severe blow to Laura
who had clung to her almost as the only being
to whom she could look up with love, Or lean up
on for advice and with this strong tie removed,
she soon decided upon taking step which had
{. been for some time urged upon her.
Soon after she went to Madame Chaudrons s,
she formed an intimacy with young lady from
Virgina---one of the pupils. Caroline Grant,
who was about her own age, had conceived an
enthusiastic attachment for Laura and when
the period arrived which was to remove her from
school and separate her from her friend, she re-
turned home with the determination rot to be
long divided from her. Accordingly after she
arrived, she wrote to Laura, in her mother S
name, offering her her own terms if she would
come to them as governess to her little sister, a
delicate child, whom her parents feared to trust
f from them. Caroline urged all the arguments
which her affection for Laura prompted, and
Laura felt but too willing to yield to her wishes.
J, When Mrs Nevies DEATH therefore, took place,
breaking that strong link which bound her to
Philadelphia, she acceded to her friends wishes
and prepared to accompany Mr. Grant, the father
of her friend, who was then in town, on his re-
turn to Virginia
: Laura's adieus were soon made the poor and
desolate have but few friends and, except the
Neville family, and the inmates of Madame
= Chaudron's establishment, there were none who
felt an interest in the orphan.
Charles Neville was absent at this time from
the city, but Laura informed him, by letter, as
she considered her duty, of the step she had tax
, en-; and, with nothing further to detain her, she
departed for the South, to seek again, among
: strangers, a home.
} She was received with most cordial greet
ing by her friends family, and with delight by
Caroline herself and a few d ys su6iced to as
sure her that she had really found a home
| Lauras duties were very light ; her time was
more at her own disposal than it had been at
f Madame Chaudons, and she now had all the
leisure for reading, and for her own improvement,
| which the quiet of country residence afforded
her. Mr. Grant was wealthy, and lived with all
the cid fashioned hospitality of Southern plant
$ err His residence was not many miles from a
S large and populous town, the conveniences OF
which were easily transferred to the plantation
' There also dwelt numerous circle Of relatives
, and friends, who formed their principal society
e The family consisted of Mr. and Mrs Grant, then
= two daughters, and, occasionally, of Mr. Grants
d Nephew, young lawyer, who nominally pur
/ sued his profession in the neighboring town.
p As time passed on Laura's constitution regain
u ed its original strength, and her beauty all the
= additional Improvement which mind gives to sucl
IS countenance as hers. Her spirits did not re
: cover their former gayety, but she was Away
It cheerful and if the bright joyousness which
st had once shone in her countenance was gone,
was fully supplied by the air of sentiment, nov
B; thrown over her features
We must now take the liberty of skipping O