Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-06-27
VOL. XI.-NO. Al.

lSuHeTlHg, thdt Sne SOOn received the name OIL
The Nurse and her ability and skill in
that capacity was knoM far and wide. She
had in the meantim@ ascertained that her
daughter had fallen into good hands, and
therefore did not attempt to see her, know
ing that her presence would serve but TO
bring her troubles to her mind afresh. She
soon, however, began to have calls from the
village to attend upon the sick, and one call
succeeded another until the most of her time
was spent among the villagers, from whom
she received the appellation Of The Village
Nurse Here, she had an opportunity of
daily seeing her daughter. She was love-
ly lass, and as fair and beautiful child as
ever claimed New England for birthplace,
and as she advanced in years, her mind ex-
banded with increasing vigor, evincing iudg-
ment, talent, vivacity that would have done
honor to person Of ripper years. Her ap-
pearance was beautiful, and her manner at
once winning g. attractive. Her eyes we're of
Jet black, over which sat a noble forehead
of alabaster whiteness, which contrasted
strangely with the luxuriant tresses of dark
hair that hung waving round her head, and
in curls down her neck and over her Shout
ders There was smile ever beaming on
attraction and proposes the beholder in her
favor. She moved with graceful ease and
nobleness that art can never bestow upon
the human form. Added TO these outward
qualifications were mild disposition, and
Temperament as placid and serene as the
water Of lake when sleeping quietly and
unruffled by the winds and storms. Yet
there was something in her searching eye
that told of spirit of bold daring yet sum-
bering in her bosom, which would in time
expand to a degree, that would readily re-
buke proyocaton Of too bold nature, and
resent any insult that might ever be offered
her. Her guardian always took great de-
light in dressing her TO the utmost extent of
her childish qualification, and lavished upon
her all the fondness Of a parent. Thus she
grew up, the pet of MIR Ruggles, and re-
spected and beloved by her whole circle of
acquaintance, which was very large. for
there was scarcely resident Of the village
but what knew Helen, the founding, and
each one had a word Of kind greeting when
ever they met her, which was received by
her with smile of pleasure, and returned IN
manner so courteous, that she soon won
the affections Of all who knew her. As she
grew older, and was informed Of the fact Of
her being founding and perhaps an or
phan, without a relative on earth, and when
she allowed herself TO reflect upon these
things, shade of deep melancholy would
settle upon her brow, and her feelings were
any thing but pleasant. She often wished
she had a mother, for Hitty took every oc-
casion to manifest her hatred for her, when
she could do it unobseryed by others, and
f.. If
oft, find herself in tears whenever she re-
fected upon her situation.
Time rolled on. She was now somewhat
advanced in her teens, and the glow of child
hood was fast deepening into the darker
tints of the discretion and judgment of wo-
manhood. A dstemper broke out in the
village, of an alarming character, which
Frustrated many ofthe inhabitants upon beds
of sickness. and a great number of deaths
occurred in consequence of this disease.
Mrs Arson was as usual at her post, at
tending upon the sick, and supplying their
wants. She moved about even amid the
worst cases, Of the disease, without taking it
herself. 1t was that distressing complaint
called the Black Tongue from which few
that are attacked with it ever recover. It
ragged violently, sweeping the aged, the mid
die aged, the aspiring youth, and the smiling
infant, alike into the grave. Many were the
hearts that were made desolate by the loss
of one, two, three, and sometimes, more
members of a family, during the presence of
this epidemic. AT last when it had nearly
abated, Mrs Arson, worn down with ex-
cessive toll and watchings, was taken sick,
and the kind attentions were paid TO her
which she had so long bestowed upon 9TH
ers. Her labor, together with the trouble
and sorrow which had weighed upon her
spirits, brought her very low, and from her
first attack she felt convinced that she should
not long survive, and there was but one thing
that created in her mind desire to live any
longer; and that was the welfare of her
daughter When she found that her strength
was daily failing her, she sent for Helen, and
disclosed to her the fact that she was her mo-
Their, and related the story of her life that we
have given in the preceding chapter. This
was new era in Helens life. She had a
mother; and she now watched by her bed
side both night and day. scarcely allowing
herself sufficient rest 10 satisfy the demands
of nature. Her mother grew worse, and
worse, till death came to her relief. She
died reclining in the arms of her daughter,
with prayer on her lips, for the guiding
hand of Providence to direct her through
life. For while Helen's grief was I'M
bounded. She had found her mother, but
to lose her and the recolections of the suf-
fering she had undergone, served but to
heighten the tempest Of her grief.
CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK.