Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1846-05-07


her a child. She had rarped 10 guide her
which rich and poor must submit -ih"
forms which stand in civilizrd sri-iy in
the place vt tire innocence of pr,mcval
days M the gunrdinss of innocen'e and
the protection ri purity. hut though
thus conforming, with an intul,ive sense
m delicacy, To the rules oi true polite
meas, which every pure woman in all
ranks Of life seems 10 observe ns IT by n
natural instinct, Laura was still arlless
and innocent.
Her situation she was "a senmstress
--piaced her on the very verge Of fash
irnnhie life--in il but not Of II Many
~ her situation catch, nj second hand
AIRS and language which make them RI
d,rmlous, aud betrny discomfort with their
situation which renders Them d ready
prey, because IL exp1srs them ~ the
ready oblects Of Temptation. But Laura
s,ooh safe on the very edge Of the charm
I'd circie, and none ol the hearh-snrs-,
fully, exiravaganre and woe which spicn-
dor strives IN vaio to hide, escaped her
her observation. On the other hand, IN
her own experience she had wi,ne ssed
cheerfulnrss under real p,ivalions; and
II shc was son,euMes tempted 10 repIne
q, her lot, she remembered that TOR ev-
-,y Distress aud Inconvenience which the
ponr endure, there is a parallel trial IN
the lives Of tho rich, different 10 kind,
bM M less painful 10 degree. Thus she
struck the balance between the two cs-
,sirs, and WIS .ilil content.
Trhes make up the sum Of existence,
and .lipht Impressions are the seeds Of
our convictions The little incident re-
lated in the first chapter aas, 60 doubt
felt forever in the after thoughts and
lives and conduct of Laura and Georsy,
though the circumstances of The meeting
were scarcely remembered a week by
smher, and were entirely forgotten IN
month Nor though nenher knew or
thoaght of il, eau We doatt that The
features %! each dwell IN the memory Of
the Oiher-not as persons recollecitd,
but as dreamy pir,ures half recognized
" h.. u the org mails mcet again. Many
such old acqaintauces hadn't rs all
through life and this will account, bet
ter than any attempt at phys'ognomy,
lor our likes sud dlslikes conceived at
wha, we think rs ,ist sight without any
sppavni reason.
The advantages for obtaining an edu'
cation, whrh in our country are happily
u uiihin he reach of all, however humble,
had been well improved by Laura. II
she was no, what is termed an accom-
pushed girl, she possessed II natural
Sfncc and ease which no fashionable IN
nructlon could have impaired, aud was
free from that aft, citation which is too of
ten n necessary cons, qnence Of accom-
pli>hnrnts.' She had mind stored
wuh good and correct principles by n
m"ihe,'s careful ifochlng; and the nalu-
raj language Of her drmranor spoke n
pnrny winch repelled even The thought
uf evil against her. Aud the warnings
aud instructions of her mother were the
more impressive and constantly remem-
b.rrd, because they were no longer Ut
tered by living monitor, but were a
part of her daily memory OF The loved and
lost Laura was now an orphan.
Nor was the care of himself her only
responsibility. She had grandparen,
To provide for, aged and peevish. But
This infi,mily OF her grandmoher's tenn
per was the least Of her annoy oyances,a s,as we
can easily endure the inrmitles of those
We love. Laura had The whms and un-
reasonable requirements Of host Of
patrons 10 satisfy. lfnalure had given
au ung ainfy fora 10 a young lady, and
art had exaggerated natural defects,
pnor Laura had 10 be auswrrable # The
habit did not become the Informed as
well as the graceful figure. Her rest,
her comfort, her happiness, were all
connled as nothing against The caprlces
of those who (ancied they purchased her,
soul and body, for the scanly wages ola
needle wouiau.
All employers however, are not Tar.
tars, any more than all employers are
angels There were many exceptions
Ia the general unreasunablenrss of Iau-
ra's customers; and one, the happiest,
was an eccentric old widow lady, child
less, ,irh, and Of Tost unquestionable
ton. She was IN II postum To lead in
stead OF following. II all did not or
could not initiate her, none dared to pro-
nounce what she did out OF place, or out
Of fashion. If her coun,enance was not
absolutely necessary to young person
upon entrance into society, the withhold
ing OF il was an obstacle which could
moi be conquered. People wondered a,
nothing which she chose to do, though
all wondered what, at her death, would
become Of her money. II would un-
douJtedly be cut up into legac,es, they
said Some fancied that her will was
made and still sept open by monthly
codicis None knew but II will be rcadi-
ly imagined, that many hoped TO find
themselves included in this monthly ap-
pendis, and in some share, more or less
likely to diminish the chances Of the re-
siduary legaiee.
Mrs. Melyille vas friend indeed to
I.ayra. She assisted her without the
~-;cntatiou of charity, always insisting
0poa paying her for her work double the