Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-01-22


and Clara say if they heard such an oppellation
given to their ugly Fife? You needn't look so
mockingly, Dudley, for you may ask my uncle IT.
four years ago, wasn't the ugliest little gypsy he
ever beheld."
"You have, indeed, changed most marvelously,
Fife" replied he, passing his hand caressnely over
the head that rested against his knee; land you
may thank the daily exercise in the open air, which
you have been compelled to take, for its invgorat
ing and identifying influence"
81 may thank. rather, the parental tenderness,
the kindness. and the care, that have been poured
like balm into bruised and wounded heart, healing
ing and purify it, and changing, as it were, the very
life blood in my veinsg exclaimed Efie, in her Pc
culiarly imprisoned manner. "Do you remember
the night when you found me under the sycamore
tree and called me your own darling Ellie! From
that moment ! date new existence Iron that
moment life became dear to me, and oh how dear,
how very dear it has been to me snceW
Mr.. Horton looked down upon her with gsten- |
ing eyes, and blessed his God that it had been his
de tiny to appropriate such rich treasures of intel
lect and sensibty, and as he looked on the fair
lands stretching around him, far as the eye could
reach. blessed Him again, that he could how leave
one behind him who was worthy to be the mistress
Of those beautiful possessions. There was another
pair of brighter, younger eyes, looking down upon
her. and wondering if it possible that she had
ever been called the "ugly Fife" Perhaps she
read his thoughts for she smilingly said
81 wish you could see my sister Clara"
"Why 2"
"Because she is so exqusitely fair--so fautless-
ly beautiful"
81 do not like fautless beauties" replied he
they are always insipd. do not like blondes
they have no expression. like to see face tina.
changes with the changing feelings-now dark,
now bright, like the heavens bending above u.s."
"Do you think your mother and sister would
know YOU Fife ?" asked Mr. Horton.
81 do not think they would" she replied, "ior
sometimes hardly recognize myself ] should like
to see them a stranger, to see what impressions
might make. When shall see them, dear uncle
Something whispers me may yet be best with
mothers and sisters love-"
care yon not happy with me? Do you wish to
leave me, Effie?"
"Never!-I want no other home than this. But
in looking back blame myself so much for the
suen and vipdctve feelings | once dared to cher
ish tried so little to deserve the love which was
not spontaneously bestowed, long to prove to them
that am now not utterly unworthy OF their regard
81 honor your Wishes" said Mr. Horton, kindly.
" And when return from Europe they shall be
gratfed. Two years will soon pass away. You
will then have acquired all the advantages Of rav
cling in classic lands Dudley will have compct-
ed his education in the German universities, and IN
the freshness of transatlantic graces, can present
himself to your fair sister, whose beauty you are so
anxious he should admire"
Dudley began to reiterate his detestation of
blondes, but Mr.. Horton interrupted him to discuss
more important matters.
Dudley Aston, was ward of MIR. Horizons, the
orphan son of the most intimate friend of his youth.
When his father died, he left him to the guardian
ship of Mr.. Horton, with the conditions that he
should finish his education in Europe, and that he
should never marry without the consent OF Mr..
fiqEl9ni,,eton not Ucen yoel,
so that Dudley had never seen Etfie in her chrysa-
No. ! tlafrl u,t
cation, and now again met free from all scholastic
restraints, with spirits buoyant young singing
birds, converting the still home Of the widower in
to bright scene of youthful exercise and hilariy.
Mr.. Horton reoiced in the circumstances which
had thrown so closely together these two congen-
Ii al beings so dear to his affections, and which
promised to draw them together in closer and more
endearing union. Dudley was handsome, nelli-
gent and high sprited generous almost to prodi
= gaty; unsuspicious almost to credulity; impu
sive and uncaCulating, and possessed of an indie
pendent fortune free from any of those encum
: brances and mortgages which so often neuralizt
the property of reputed heirs. Where could he
find husband for Effie combining so many rar'
endowments, and where could Dudley find being
like Fife, with soul of fire, a heart of love- AM
a person which he now thought singuory tascna
d ting? He too wise to speak his hopes, but IN
l. thought it impossible that their hearts shou
r not grow together, as that two young trees place
W side by side should not nterace their green bough
p and suffer their trembling leaves to unite. ii
re wrote occasional letters to his sister, and receive
ID from her cold and brief replies. She eXpatiate
4 chiefly Clara's extraordinary beauty, and lamen
IN ted her limited means, to introduce her to tn
ly world as she would wish,-hoped that Ellie wa
I'd improving, but declared her readiness to take he
tie home, whenever her uncle disguised or wear
e. of his charge Mr. Horton never made known
mt her the astonishing Improvement in Elites appeal
H. ance, for he wanted TO dazzle her some day wit
nd the sudden lustre of the gem she had thrown fro
n her heart He always mentioned her in vague term
Is, expressed his general satisfaction in her good col
he duct, and appreciation Of her studious habits, :" A
nt nature did not make her beauty" said he, g il
he tend she shall be a scholar and no fear of her b.
cd ing called Jas blue shall prevent me from givir
h her thoroughly classical education. She is a
pr ready familiar with Greek and Latin, and durir
ire our European travels she shall become mistress
all all the modern languages"
OF ooh there is nothing so disgusting peda
ort tic woman !" exclaimed Clara, with shudder,
ng her mother finished the perusa of the letter.
ect know French and Italian enough to sing all Il
to fashionable songs and repeat all the common gu
lar tations, and that is all Young lady requires
led for Greek and Latin, detest their very idea. B
by poor Ellie needs something to distinguish her, ev
be besides her uncle's fortune. | wonder if she is
te- ugly as ever. | should really like to see her"
ity $50 should l." replied Mrs. Dushane, with
ty involuntary sigh, for there were moments VIII
the nature spoke in her heart and she had become co
her vinced from her own fatal experience, that the
'ne were other qualities necessary in daughter
ian sides personal beauty. There were times " VIII
the whole head was sick, and the whole heart fain
lily when she would have welcomed a fal hand
w; battle her temples or hold her aching brow, ev
our though it were the hand of her neglected child
bin There were times when the robelious will, t
selfish vanity, the careless disrespect, or bold de
kill ance of the spoiled tavorlte made her feel as
ely Heavens retribuon might be felt in this world
ing At others, when she her caressed and admire
wn, and heard herself envied the mother of sucl
len paragon, she tried to convince herself that dsot
in dience and i'll hunor only slight flaws in Il
her matchless diamond, which it would be invidious
dwell upon. She had had no communication W
ere her brother during his residence in Europe and
DOT, ieving that all intercourse with him would n,
probably cease and that there was no hope of