The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-06-16
Volume H.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Bnksn Hsat.

MARY TILDEN was lovely girl, reared
in the lap OF luxury accustomed 10 the re-
fnements Of the polished circle, but unfor-
tunaiely more fashionable Than solidly ecu
Gated. Her beauty and vlvaclty brought her
many admirers. and, in consequence of her
superficial education, exposed her To their
batteries, aud led her almost nsensibly INFO
the sin of coqueiry. She had offers from
the braineSs crew that danced attendance
upon her. and offers from some serious and
rejecting men. Among these latter, Ed
ward Becky would have made her life one
of happiness. He was a plain man, thri-
wing farmer, who, though well educated, and
possessing a cultivated intellect, with sound.
practical, good sense, could, and often did
harness his own horses and hold his own
plODgh.. His manners were pleasing; he
possessed that true, genuine politeness
which springs from goodness os heart.
But with all thest advantages, and with a
sincere and devoted attachment 10 Mary, she
rejected him, and for no reason which she
could acsign to herself. save The fooishly
whimsical, one, that his head was little
bald. II is needless to follow her through
her many conquests, and 10 name the unfor-
tunate sunors, who bowed, seldom in earn
est, always in vain, al the shrine OF her beau
ty. Her fame spnead beyond The limits of
her Immediate vicinity, but as rumor spread
beyond the fame of her attractions, so did
these attractions begin TO lose their charms.
Years will impress their deIerioraIing stamp
even on the loses of beauty, aud charms Of
novelty and freshness were passing away.
At country merry making, Mary met with
Mr.. George lien eta young aud volna5le at
tcrney al law. He heard of the beautiful
Miss Tiden, sought and obtained an intro
duction, and, prompted BY sordid motives
alone sought the advice Of her parents, and
fearful thar her day OF triumphs was past.
and thinking that HeWeIt was rich. the moth
er aud Mary strongly inclined TO favor his ad-
vanres. the cautious father more reluctantly
yielding his assent.
They were married, and in few shorI
months her father and mother fell victims 10
fatal epidemic, which swept owe: he neiah
borhood.-This Was ihr FIRST serious shock
Mary had received. She Was soon. hawev
er, desiiurdto reap the hiiier fruits of mer-
cemary love. When iieWe;i foanA out ihAI
his fa;hcr in law left hair sul.icicncy to pay
his debts, aud thase. hich nc himself had
contracted in anticipation 81 The property 81
rs WIZ .iiff-t N''fh - itf'NtiN oA h'hf-
his modification ard DISCUS could not b.
conc aled. Rctufuing home rom a neigh
boring tavern. where he had vaimly cen en-
deavorins 10 down his cares in inroXica,ion.
he charged his wife with deception, in ar-
pcaring as she did before her marriage, whrr
>ho n.Gsi have known the condition OF her
fathers finances. II is n, edless, as iIwould
be painful. to trace the sad record of rchukc,
. IL. Il i t.l.
ons period of Ilcwetts career. His pro icss-
ion yielded him but little: that went at the
srog-shop or TO the gaming table; ii did not,
could rot last long.
Tie same day that the husband sunk into
Il diShonorabIe crave, the wife became
mother.
Mary IIewett was still proud woman
her spirit bad been crushed. not broken
She sold whatever as left of her former and
better days. and removed 10 the ciiv,s She
could. she thought; there liud employment.
Alas how liiilr did She know OF The VI rid
How different The result from Eer aniicipa
lions! From do"rto door did she trdge her
wca:y why it WAS all To no pur ose she
WAS stranger. and the world trusts not
stranger Despair succeeded failure. power
" crept on apace, and the beautiful ti1 was
now IA wretched mendicant-a haagard beg
gar. Oh! the biltjfness of that moment.
when for the first time The shrinking hand
was extended TO the stranger, TO the cold and
careless passer-bv and then unnoticed. A
gain she sirove with the finer feelings of her
heart. and again, after a day Of toll, not Of
bsdy, hut of soul, she had barely enough t"
provide a scan,y meal, in her cold. dark Gel
lar, for herself and her starving child. Alas
did the thoughiless. giddy ard extravaganl
but know the history of the wretch whose
hand is stretched forth to solicit a Little from
their waslefnl abundance. how different
might be the relations of society
1t was chilling day in autumn, one Of
those coquertish days. when CLEAN of sun
shine will dart alhwart your path, remlndn
you of the departing glorieS of summer, and
anon dark cloud will spread its lrOwu over
every object foreshadowinS the gloom OF
sDlen winier.-Alary was at The corner oil
the crowded street, the multitude were has
tening to and fro in pursuit of pleasure or
business, needless OfIoys and sOrrOws-ihe
pleasures or miseries Of oIhers-all intent OF
serving self-what chance had she for re-
lief! But habit is second nature. and after
the first oppressive sense of degradation had
passed, she felt it not. Besides, had she not
tried other means 10 preserve the life of her
self and chilIl What could she do
No one. at least she hoped would know her
in her altered condition.
Ny friend Berkeley was with his family, on
visit to the city. aud we were walking arm
IN arm down the street. as we approached Inc
corner " here sat Mary. the once gay and
volatile beauty. The hand was extended -
us. as to ali. never can see such things
and pass on. never did bur once, and for
that once conscience dashed me well.
paused and placed hill dollar in the out
stretched hand, felt that whether deceived
or not, had lost nothing: it was but the
price of some useless luxury or burliul in
diligence; | had done no harm. at least
My friend was preparing 10 follow my exam
pie, when, as he was about 10 drop the sill
yer into the trembling hand. his eye rested
upon remarkable spot or mole on thu wrist
aud as the money dropped from his hand, he
exclaimed, 'Maryl' 1t was enough; she
was recognized, and that too Is Berkeley: