The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-12-16
VOL. X.
MISCELLANEOUS.
For the GalaxJ.
w no is S h e :?

she had found the one in whom she could re-
nose the secrets OF her heart and in whom
her love, and deepest affections were center
ed. Irene was an heiress indeed, and a girl
Of SIC ling worth both in goodness o. heart
and genuine principles, besides possessing a
fertile mind, and general intellectual appear
ance need not dwell upon her percentage
but suffice il 10 say, Irene was born under
the genial influences Of Southern climate
and had every attention bestowed upon her
early education by exemplary and pIous pa.
rents.
She felt even in her early childhood that
she was made Cor more substantial enjoy
menis than the mere amusements obtained
generous, and shared her pleasures with
those around her; while those with whom
she associated loved her and felt salutary
influence inspired by a rare combination Of
goodness of heart and intellectual endow-
ment. Though surrounded with luxuries
and the many temptations that wealth and
indulgent friends afforded, she felt that she
was child OF earth, living and breathing
where all earthly things sooner or later must
fade away. With her natural good sense
and the aid ola liberal education, she grew
up 10 womanhood, feeling that she was a
messenger and pilgrim TO do good, and earth
was not mans abiding place. Irene's de-
pertinent was exemplary, for she felt that she
vas an accountable being, and she would not
sacrifice her time and talent at the shrine Of
mere vanity, selfshness or Incidence.
AS time rolled on her character became
more mature and she had looked forward 10
the time when congenial conjugal union
would enable her 10 be more useful and hap
py. She had long numbered many dear
friends and among those who sought and
valued her most was Edgar c., crowned
with collegiate fame and master of his Pro-
| lession, now surrounded with all the rich and
gay, from the city Of s.. 10 congratulate
him upon his nuptial day with Irene. The
apartments were brilliant and they were both
joyful, cheerful and happy, 10 meet on the
occasion so many that assembled from the
city and adjacent parts 10 salute and greet
them in this new era. "And 1rho is she ?''
and the question went round.
"Iier dress is neither the fashion of this year
nor last, and she appears 10 me, TO be neilh-
or one thing nor another" remarked Ellen,
whose keen and discriminating eye glanced
over her as she 'ndddlecE' along through the
brilliant halls that resoundcd with mrlh and
gaiety, 'but she certainly appears TO be one, :"
I continued she, 'who has been in gcnfeel So
ciety, but she docs not possess that ease and
elegance of manner peculiar 10 the intelligent
class OF Virginia.
| Sand who is SHE ?'' asked young man
dressed in black, wearing moustachcs, and
whose personal appearance was expressive
Of his true character. 'She sports iewelry
and tinsel OF 'by-gone days." and she is
neither beautiful nor Intellectual, but there is
Il certain something, perhaps nonchGIence, if
you please, that makes me ask irhO she is, mol
that | really care. for TO be candid, when
meet lady loaded with sailed aItifcidLs
and hair in 'tstTingleis." and fingers pecIing
through gioreS, love shrinks into apathy, ard
cupid flies away" "Hushl replied Ellen.
you are very ungallant 10 make your scnii-
ments SO bold she is a stranger guest escor-
ted here by that elderly gentleman you sec
trying 10 get game ofchess started, | should
think, by the way he moves The CASTER Gu
riosiiy being uppermost in the mind of Ellen
away she started 10 the end of the hall for
the game of chess, but her secret motive was
TO find out who The sub ject of the general in
terrogative .'Who is she," could be.
Ellen conscious of the curiosity awakened
in the minds of her associates, felt determined
even at the expense other own feelings, 10
find out who the stranger was, and "set their
hearts at rest,' as she said. "Do tell me
1rh1 she is p said Ellen, tossing her head on
one side, half conscious Of betrayed anxiety
when 10 her surprise The gentleman at chess
drew himself up, and leaned on lis arm chair
and replied in a melancholy tone: "Her IA
Their was Judge Of the Supreme Court in
the village of B, delightfully."- situated a.
mong the green hills peculiar 10 New Eng
land, but alas poor man! his bones have
long since been consigned 10 their mother
earth, and his grave is the only spot now
dear 10 his bereaved and afflicted widow
The young lady for whom you enquire is her
only daughter, for whom much money has
been expended and much time nnsspent in
making her any thing but an industrious,
frugal, enterprising and useful woman; and
here he arranged his chess-tabe and added
in somewhat OF a satirical Tone
"She is Science distorted, and torn into bits,
Art tortured, and frightened half out of her
wits,
In portions and patches, some light and some
shady
Are stitched up together, to make her Young
Lady"
Ellen dared no longer TO countenapce the
discriminating look of the chess-player. for
she ieit there was moral lesson for her in
what had been said, and his concluding re-
marks were TO her like 1rormuood, so she
glided away TO the end of the hall to Join in a
dance lead by the elegant and intellectual
heiress. Ellen could not in spite of the mirth
and hilaiity of those around her, Danish from
her mind the remarks she had heard, she
thought the iH-placed flrbelO,os of fashion,
and the broken shoe-strings partly unlaced,
and the rows of buttons that fastened moth
ing. and beaus that tied nothing, and the
whole personal appearance OF the stranger
guest, and her half spoken, half accented
words should be TO her lesson for life. For
the first time she saw, in this assembly, ego
tiSm and vanity contrasted with the chaste
simplicity Of knowledge and purity, and she
was one OF the first to retire from the gay as
semoiy' to make what she had seen and heard
source of improvement in moral reflections.
FIVE years passed by, and Irene had met
with succession of revcrses. She was ear
" doomed TO widowhood, and by various uu-
aVoidaoie losses she was thrown upon her
own resources Friends eyr,a.,l