The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1845-05-08
THE HUMP BACK.
BYD &C. CoLEswoRTHY.


To practice base deceit;
To plant within the happy breast
A thought TO give it pain;
Or enter circles, pure and blest,
An impious end 10 gain.
SARAH EDGAR was young girl very
much deformed in her person. Wher
quite child, she had fail which nea, "
cost her her life, and from that time she
became hump backed, and grew but very
little in height. Sarah possessed q kline
disposition, and was beloved by her young
associates, who never thought of the de-
feet in her body. She was active and
cheerful, and appeared as happy as il
she were az perfect in her form as her
companions. But as Sarah grew older,
she felt her situation more sensibIv, be.
cause those of her early friends who seem
ed TO be most partial TO her, gradua' for
sock her society. There was one girl,
whose name was Jane Coburn, with whom
Sarah had been intimate from early child
hood, who, since she had grown up, seem>
ed more than all her other acquaintances,
to avoid her company. The poor girl was
at loss TO conjecture the reason for she
was sure she had neither said nor done any
thing 10 make her act SO strangely. When
they met, few words would pass between
them, but Jane never seemed disposed 10
prolong the conversation. To be sure
Sarah was deformed and poor, and lived
in small house, while James parents
were reputed to be wealthy, and owned
the large dwelling they occupied; but
this should have been no reason why Sa-
Iah was treated so coolly.
The mother OF Jane was very partial to
the hump backed girl; she could appre>
cia'e her virtues and pity her misforlunes,
Many time did she present her with a
new gown or Il new bonnet, and no per-
son was ever more grateful for present.
One afternoon Sarah called on Mrs. Co.
burn; but she had hardly seated herself,
before Jane remarked in The presence of
her mother
| wish folks knew when thew were
wanted, and would stay till they are sent
for"
Why. Jane, what do you mean p in,
quired her mother. Il
Nothing particular: but hate intru>
ders.'
Mrs. Coburn Immediately remarked {
Jane expects some company 10 day, and {
every thing has gone wrong with her, {
and she hardly knows what she says.
an determined that this shall be the last
line [ consent for her 10 receive her s
friends unless she can show better feel
ng.' a
If do expect company, l don't want b
my to come but those | invite. Who S
wants every body and every th;ng2 don't, o
IN sure tc
James mother though: it was not neces> 81
airy 10 rep Y to her daughter, and contin- h
ed to converse with Sarah, who. although al
he understood James remarks, was as m
ociable and as pleasant as ever. et
Although Sarah was urged 10 remain "
nth her during the afternoon by Mrs. S
'oburn, she would not consent. knowing b,
lat i! would be dlsagreeabe 10 her daugh. az
n. he
AS Sarah's constitution was feeble, she ne
as over persuaded by her friends moi to m
arm trade, as she contemplated, but 10 W
, something else TO support herself; but
hat TO take hold of she did not know mi
Lain sewing she could do, but while so all
any were depending upon their needles, ed
was but poor encouragement to her wa
At trhe onl y did she earn in this way. pei
One day a thought struck her, as she ha
Is passing through one of the principal
eels IN her town 1T was this: perhaps for
e could make living by keeping a
all fruit and candy store, at the corner ESh
some street. The more she thought tha
The subject, the more favorable it ap- hes
'red 10 her. Her mother thought it cot
S good idea, and encouraged her 10 per
dertake it. Sarah was not long 10 find cell
suitable place; but all the money
could raise to commence her efforts Oh
h was seventy.fve cents. With this told
she purchased few apples and other he
it. and also some candies, and com ed 6
need trading. The first day she sold the
rIy all her articles, and made twenty. pos
cents. Dry after day her business bat
'eased, so that she was enabled TO keep had
hand a larger assortment and greater conf
nifty. Every summer day Sarah Ed bust
might be seen lrudging 10 ner little Eve
ID, where she would remain all day her
ing to the passers by, In winter she ring
permitted TO occupy corner of a gen. asid
lan's shop, who out of kindness charg F
let no rent. Now Sarah had but little to he
to see her friends, excepting in the self
1ng; and when she called upon Mrs. succ
urn, she was pleasantly received by in h,
good lady, who still fell deep interest Rod
he unfortunate girl. But Jane had wife
WI more and more naughty. One man
ling she asked her in the way of rid pcre
e still
flow nnhv Sn rar.nlnms have rnn sold mns