The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-08-06

ly couch where she had often knelt, and off
cred up a iervent prayer to Almighty God,
humbly imp!oring his protection on herself
and lovely infant.
Who is there that could have looked upon
this scene with a dry eye, and an unfeeling
heart? If there is such a being 10 be found
in this wide world, he is unworthy Of the
name of human. Alone i'll the wilderness,
with nought TO love or care for but her child
far away from friends and home ,~andexposed
10 cruel treatment, from one 10 whom she had
looked for protection and support through
the trials which beset LIES ~pathway-the
wife of an inebriate, a robber, and a hard
hearted wretch. She reproached him not.
Not one word of complaint was uttered IN
that short prayer. She prayed to God 10
guide her in her present undertaking, and Tor
a blessing upon the head other Maynard
husband, and then rising from her knees with
a serene countenance, and steady eye, evln-
cling a determination TO pursue the course she
had just resolved upon. turned and left the
cabin trusting in God TO find friends TO take
care of her child, in case her days should not
be heightened Quito watch overher and guide
her herself; and she was fearful that her
troubles would weigh upon her spirits till
they would bring her TO an early grave.
Her face was now turned towards the foot Of
the mountain, where she arrived after much
toll and trouble, from whence she travelled
mile after mile, with her child in her arms I'M
til she came near the suburbs ola beautiful
little village, where she resolved TO leave,and
trust for future welfare TO him who 'tempers
the winds 10 the shorn lamb then rolling
the infant snugly in her shawl, she noiseless-
ly opened a gate, and entered a yard surroun-
ding a large and comfortable looking house,
carefully laid her child down before the
door, gave it one last, fond embrace, and
placing a piece Of paper with the name oil
Helen upon it, by her side, turned with tears
in her eyes and lett the yard. She retIaceG
her steps for some distance, until she arrived
at Il neat looking farm house by the roadside,
where she asked permission to stay through
the night, which was readily granted.
The house where the infant Helen had
been left, was the residence ola rich old bach
elor by the name of Timothy Ruggles, but
who was generally known by The neighbors,
by the more vulgar appellatlon of Old Rugg.'
In fact, two thirds of The people of the village
scarcely knew that he was owner Of any 9TH
er name. His family consisted ola maiden
lady of some thirty years ofage, bearing the
name Of Hitty, which was but n moderate abb
reviation of the more ancient name,M ehitta-
Bile, who was chief servant or rather chief
mistress OF the house, (for she took it upon
h9rselfto see that all went right throughout
the household, two outdoor servants and
himself. The temper and disposition OF
Kitty was not of the mildest cast, and size
very often had occasion 10 manifest her ill
temper upon the servants, when out OF the old
| gentleman's presence. She had lived a long
lime with 'Old Rugg,' and knew that he had
a goodly share OF this worlds goods laid up
in store for some one, and she could not con-
ceive why she was not entitled TO a portion
OF it, inasmuch as she had been an inmate of
his house, and aslave 10 his whims for n
great number Of years, and he had not, that
she knew Of a relative in the world.
Early the next morning, 'Old Rugg,' as
was his usual custom, arose for the purpose
OF taking his morning walk, and dressing
himself, he took down his broad brimmed
hat which always hung id certain place in
the kitchen, except when upon the owners
head. and which had for many years protec-
ted his bald head, alike from the scorching
sun Of summer, and the storms of winter, and
placed it upon his head and sailed out. As
he opened the door, the bundle upon the
matrass attracted his attention, and he stoop-
ed to pick it up, thinking it to be a bundle OF
clothes, bur the weight of it told him that il
was composed of something besides clolb.and
he sat down 10 examine it. While be was
busy with his hands unrolling the bundle, his
mind was revolving the probability of some
fairy's leaving him a roll ofsilver, and taking
this curious method Of transmitting it to him.
| But before his expectations had been raised
} to too high Il pitch, the shawl was unrolled,
: and ont slipped a smiling infant. The old
| egurleman did not seem at all displeased with
the result of his golden dream, for lac smiled,
: and handled the child on his knee, making
: however, as old bachelors do, n very awk
ward appearance.
Hitty was soon aroused, and the child con-
signed to her care, while Old Rugg' proceed
! ed on his morning walk. When he returned
, he found his house-keeper in no very pleas
ant mood. A new idea had struck her mind.
She was fearful the old gentlemen would
. keep the child, and adopt it as his own, and
= should he do this, it would probably be the
means of loosening the hold she vainly mag
ined she had upon his golden affections. She
; determined to sound him upon this subject.
|, As soon as they were seated at the breakfast
: table she very pettishly asked him If he IN
I tended to keep the child.
Keep her. exclaimed he, certainly IN
, tend to keep her. Who is better able to keep
her and take care Of her, than | am As
: long as | am able as | am now, she shall not
, want for friends or home
This was a death blow TO Hitty's hopes
|, If the child was adopted as his own, she
l would, in all probability, inherit his proper.
!, ty, leaving the large dover which she had
: had long il view for herself minus, and she
tartly replied,
Well, children can be found at all times,
, if a person wishes to adopt one as his own,
! without taking up with an outcast' and raking
) the highways for whatsoever may happen to
r be left there TO de-
1t is my determination Miss Hitty,' re-
: piled he, TO adopt the child as my own and
il the trouble which il will cause IN bringing
5 her up should prove too much for you, you
f are at Liberty to leave my service at any mo-
: ment you choose
This reply had the effect of s%ilencing her.
and she did not venture TO speak again upon
the subject. She saw in a moment that she
had touched a tender chord, when she stig-
matized the child as an outcast.
She had for some time been receiving the
address of the village schoolmaster, an old
bachelor, who had the i'll will OF his scholars
-,.;,, n tho VILLAGERS. He was ava