The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-09-05
St. JOhnsbury Vt September S, 1916

her touch, and, half afraid, she stood within
the dingy portal. 1t happened unfortunately
just at that moment, party ofgay young men
were passing. Struck by her uncommon low
eliness they stopped and gazed rudely upon
her. Violet attempted to retreat, but one OF
them, with consummate audacity, seized her
by the arm and addressed her with the most
insolent language. In vain she struggled to
| free herself He swore he would have kiss,
and most probably would have succeededn
his brave attempt, had not Il smart blow u
cross the eyes with n rattan, nearly blinded
him, and obliged him to release the ffighten-
ed girl. His companions had stood by laugh
ing ut the distress of Violet, and encouraging
their comrade to persist, but there was anoth-
er spectator of the scene; youth, apparently
notmore than seventeen, who enraged at their
brutality, dealt the blow, and then quickly
drawing Violet within the gate, boltedt. Now
gracefully lifting his hat he bid her be under
no uneasiness, for he would protect her from
all insult. In the meanwhile, smarting with
rage and pain, the party on the outside with
| furious knocks and gross language demand
| ed admittance, and at one time il seemed as
ifthe old gate must inevitably yield to their
violence; but, tired at length of their tiuitless
efforts, they desisted, and with oaths of re-
venge, took their departure across the Col
lect.' The brave lad would have waited the
return ofthe old woman, but Violet begged
ofhim TO he gone, while in her own artless
manner she thanked him again and again for
the services he had rendered her. Reluc-
family, therefore, he took his leave--to Violet,
it was as if the sun had suddenly disappeared
from the heavens!
AS soon as Nelly came in she candidly re-
lated all that had occurred, to which the for
mer listened with much agitation, an hour re-
manned in deep thought, evidently distressed
at such an unlocked for circumstance. Sud
denly lifting her head she exclaimed;
'Violetyo must 60. from ne'
What, leave you-do you bid me leave you?
All, forgive your disobedient child. Never,
never will again ofiond your cried Violet.
/ lam notoffended, for you have but COM
mitted an act for which my own foolish con-
duct must answer ! should have known bet
ter than to have Gagged you here SO long,poor
child, but my motives were good. Now we
must part-perhaps never to meet again for,
when you leave these walls behind you, the
poor Raggatherer must no longer be remem-
bered.' -
Violet burst into tears, and sobbed us ifher
heart would break.
Send me away, and tell me must forget
you, tool Oh, caunot-I cannot
Even Nelly herself shed tears, but her res
tolution was mistaken.
Listen TO me; Violet said she. Il know a
lady who is not only rich but, what is far bet
ter, has the credit ofbeing charitable Indeed
more than once have experienced her kind
ness. To her will HOW go. will relate
your little history. Twill tell her that though
but the adopted child Of poor, lone woman
like myself yet you are good aud amiable, and
your mind pure as falling snow. think she
will at once receive you under her roof, and
for the rest fear not You would steal into
her heart were it of MARBLE
But shall never hear from you-never
never see you again. oh, had much rather
stay with you.'
You may sec me again, and you may not
but on pain of my certain dspeusure, never
to a human being speak of or relate your past
Iite--you must forget ii entireiy Remember
this, aud promise me you will not again DISC
hey my commands
Violet gave the required promise, and the
old woman continued:
You have never been called by any other
name than Violet--you must now have one
A precious and II darling child have you beep
, to my old heart, and in remembrance, you
shall he called Violet Darling
The next morning Nelly came in hearing d
r bundle, which she handed to Violet, saying:
, Here, my love, are clothes more suitable
for you than the coarse garments you have on
of, and, as expected, she is willing to receive
you, not as n domestic, but as n companion
One so new to The world as you are, she thinks
she can mould according TO her own fancy
but be not led, my dear child, to forget the les.
sons of truth and virtue have endeavored to
, nstl into YOUR mind This afternoon at foui
o'clock, you will he sent for
Passing over the grief of Violet, at finding
, herself about to be separated from the only
friend she had OH earth, we find her, at the
hour appointed, waiting the messenger from
Mrs. Ballantyne.
As her eye caught the figure reflected in
, the old cracked looking glass. it was no won
, der she started with surprise. A neat white
cambria, now took the place of the faded
coarse calico she had previously worn; blue
scarf yelled her bosom, and little gipsey hat
tied under her dimpled chin with blue rib.
bons shaded her youthful, modest face. Thus
I attired, poor Violet futtering, trembling like
timid bird, shrank from offered freedom.
. Mrs Ballantyne was gay and handsome
| widow. Her fortieth birthday had already
y passed, but SO lightly had time marked these
milestones to the grave, las some one has call
ed them that to all appearance, she was as
, youthful as at five and twenty. Her complex.
3 ion, perhaps, had suffered, but the brightness
of her fine black eye was undimmed her IA.
/ ven hair, still unsilvered rested in rich gloss
Q folds upon her lofty brow; her mouth was
!. small-teeth superb, and her figure retained
3 all its youthful elasticity and grace. Left d
t widow at an early age, Mrs. Ballantyne, fol
several years, secluded herself entirely from
4 the gay world All her thoughts-all her at;
t fections-centered in her only child, lovely
r boy. Report had said the married life ofMrs
= Ballantyne had been far from happy; but if
i so, she certainly evinced all the grief of the