Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-10-09
SELECTED TALE.
CLAUDINE, THE PORSAKEN,
Or the Peasant Girl of Lausanne.


IN trfng distance of il, when my attention was
attracted by the pale and careworn figure of a
young girl, who, apparently overcome aud exhaust
ed by exertion, had fallen to the ground wherefrom
boy, of about ten years of age, was attempting to
raise her but the strength Of the little fellow was
not equal to the task, and, as | approached, he
turned his eyes towards me imploringly, and with
out saying word, made most powerful appeal to
my compassion. The little fellow was too timid to
ask Tor assistance, and needed not the asking for
observing the condition of the poor girl, l ran to-
ward her. and in another moment she was again
upon her feet, and leaning upon the shoulder of
the boy, too feeble prop to support her. The
girl thanked me as well as she was able, and the
boy also added, that Heaven had sent me to save his
sister from perishing on the highway. Oh said
he, and his eyes sparkling with gratitude, poor
Claudne would have died but for you
will Claudine accept of my assistance in con-
Quoting her into the town. said l. adding, Lean
upon me, my poor girl am better able to support
your fragile form
Claudine murmured her thanks, and, accepting
of my proffered service, we entered Lausanne to-
gether.
The boy conducted us to a small but neat cot
tage, where he stopped, and observed, this is our
home, sir, and then, calling for his parents, two
happy and generous looking creatures came out,
and with tears and oucries embraced their diving
child, and led her into the cottage. They we're all
too much occupied with themselves to heed me, and
as did not wish TO be overwhelmed with their
gratitude, | silently glided away.
Alas 7 exclaimed mentally, here is life in all
its mingled brilliancy and gloom. Happy parents
miserable chdP There was something in the de-
meanor Of the girl that led me to believe that she
was the victim of unrequitted affection. l don't
know what it was, but conld not dispossess my
self Of the notion and gave rise to train Of re-
Elections which continued to occupy my mind I'M
I'll arrived at my inn.
As passed the house with Claudine upon my
arm, had noticed my good hostess looking out up
on US so. when entered, l made inquiry for the
good woman Of the inn, and, when she came, ask
ed OF her whether she could give me any nforma-
ton concerning the girl she had seen me with
No. said the hostess, but believe her name is
Claudine, and that her parents poor, but credi-
table people enough
And what is the occasion ofClaudine's illness 2
oh, some love stuff, | believe, replied mine
hostess, in such tone and with such an air that
had been more curious about Claudne's history
than was, would not for all the world have
heard il from such lips. They scandaized human
ity
Go thy ways, good woman, said I, and the
good woman, who seemed only to require hint to
turn her back departed with aacrity.
so Claudine is loves victim The spoiler,
perhaps, had desoate heart and soul IT'S mel
deeper is the grief when the object is of the lowly,
who, having not the means TO mingle in the worlds
gayetes, and seek consolation in the thousand
pleasures that to be purchased by those who
afford TO buy look for qualification only IN the
fields and groves, among birds and flowers and
tnklng rills, wherein Nature stands revealed in
her pure glory, and whose voice makes the sad
heart sadder, because Of her own perfect purity,
against which the grossness of the best OF mortal
clay shows vely,
was DESTROYS of knowing more of Claudine but
l would not hear it from my hostess. l could not
endure TO hear human misery turned into Jest, and
the finest feelings OF humanty ridicued by one who
evidently never possessed them.
In the course of the following day / rambled
again about the spot where had seen Claudne
but Claudine came not. My hopes were all in vain,
and | returned toward my inn. Within short
distance Of the town, however, perceive the girls
brother turn from narrow pathway into the road
before me. l hailed him, and the little fellow ran
toward me, and with tears in his eyes exclaimed,
ooh, sir, why did you go away last night; we all
wanted to thank you for what you had done for
poor Claudine.'
Indeed my little friend, said /, my heart is al
ready rewarded for any service may have render
ed. But how is Claudine 2
oh, very bad sir, very bad. We do not think
she will ever rice from her bed again. She can
parents at her side blessing and forgiving her,
and supplicatng heavens mercyp
She is unhappy, then
'Oh, yes, sir all her illness was through NJ
Frederick
And who is NJ. Frederic q
ooh, he is now the owner of the estate cot
tage stands upon but he was no, once when his
uncle lived he was plain Frederic, and every body
says that better lad never lived. He courted
Clandne Sir