Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-05-14
From the Rechabite
THE GIPSEY GIRL.

In the story we are about to tell you, kind read
er, we shall not dwell upon the characteristics of
class, whose peculiariies have already been made
the theme of much ink-spilling but we have
only TO refer the reader TO the manners and customs
OF the English Gpseys Of the last century. They
were class peculiar and distinct, who wandered
about the country in small bands, comprising both
sexes, and living literally by their wits poaching,
stealing, iortune-tellIng, and the like, occupying
their time.
At the date our story commences, about the year
seventeen hundred aud forty, there resided 10 the
west riding of Yorkshire, England, a family Of an.
cient pedigree and great wealth This was the
family ofSr George Pasely gentleman of the old
English school-proud but kind 10 his numerous
retainers hospitable and liberal 10 the fullest ex-
tent of charity but Justice he was also austere
aud rigid, imbued with those strict notions that ac-
tuated the early puritans, our own parents who
were descendants Of the stock Sir George
himself Justice Pasely, as the peasantry were &C.
customed to call him, lived in the old family man
sion Of his ancestors, Of whose long and honorable
/ line he was the ouly living representative.
Sir George was married, but not until he was al
ready bachelor but his wife was a young aud
lovely being of tender age compared with his own,
for when she became lady Pasey she was but
nineteen years Of age. Sir George doated on her,
aud indeed she was worthy his iondest regard be-
I
heart could wish. But alasl the destroyer death
came, aud the same hour that made him a father
took the gentle mother aud fond wife 10 her long
home Sir George was philosopher. but what
does cold methodical theory weigh when the heart
is touchedl lie wept over his bereavement like 4
child, and while he pressed his infant daughter
his breast, be 10 love it with a redoubed az
lection, and thus make up in part for the wan, Of
a mothers endearing care. Time rolled on, and
he oh dallv rnn and mo 10 40
what her mother was, while Sir George loved her
with deep and absorbing affection.
i There was young man, wild and reckless
spirit that claimed 10 be next Of kin to the Pasely
family with Sir George, and who would doubtless
from some peculiar causes known to law be able
to establish his right to the estates now holden by
Sir George, provided he should die without issue
Therefore the birth and future growth of the little
Louise Pasely, was watched with jealous care by
Ernest Renwood, who hoped one day 10 possess the
broad Pasely estates for his own. The child pre-.
scented an nsurmountable barrier TO this expecta-
ton, and each day that added strength and fresh
life to the bright-eyed and lovely Louise rendered
the dark-spiriled Renwood more desperate And
yet cover the feelings that prompted him, he
in the daily habit of communion with the family and
household Of Sir George and the little Louise even
had no warmer friend, apparently, than the dark
and wicked souled Renwood.
Four years had passed since the birth Of Louise,
who proved to be a sturdy aud beautiful child,
when Renwood saw that he must bring his designs
an issue, leave any longer his hopes to chance
. He therefore formed the resolution Of adopting
expedent to rid himself Of her, for as we have
seen, she stood between him and the rich lands he
so much coveted He was not naturally harden
ed villain but that powerful incentive to evil, that
most thriving agent Of the evil. spirit avarice, was
goading him on TO the brink Of perdition and he
had no power whereby to resist, for he or.
: phan, and had been reared, lacking the fostering
care and goodly counsel that fore-warns and fore
E arms youth against the temptations of manhood.
II was late one mild summers night when he
came to this conclusion he recalled TO his mind
4 that at a wild and secluded spot some two miles
from the immediate neghborhood Of Sir George;
, estate there were encamped at that very hour a
band Of Gipseys, who he at once conjeciured NIGH
be OF service TO him in the plan he proposed to exc
o cute viz to rid himself Of the little Louise Pase
w. heress to the estates that he was determined tC
possess Renwood had wrought himself up to
pitch Of desperate determination, and he secuted
d the means by which he was to gain his purpose Sc
i that he might but succeed in his grand object SeI
&c by step he had come 10 this, we always progress
in evil for there never was hardened villain whC
- became so at a single move Therefore il is tina
IS we should guard against the first advancement
It Ernest Renwood soon at the Gipsey camp, an'
p ere long in close conversation with the leader o.
4 the troop, man who had Vlllany engraven on hi
very forehead and rascality looking out from ever.
>, expression ofhis wrinkled and weaher-beaen coun
F. tenance. 1t is singular how thoroughly man
/ calling will mould his physical system into his ex
= press image. This man was the chief Of the Clip
seys and his form and every look said the same
lie seemed TO have been formed by nature TO I'll
the space he filed and yet mortal could tell th
r untoward circumstances that had made him tina
; which he now was. Circumstances had moulded
him to its purpose, not birth, for | could point yo
T. to signs there that bespeak intelligence above lh
class in which he now moves; but wander,
Renwood explained his business at once whic
Nv was that Of the chids destruction. He knew hi
s. man, and made it plain business transaction, Of
n lering the Gipsey reward that might have tempte
more honest man The Gipsey contracted tina
/. on the following night the child should be stole
e. from her own room while sleeping the doors bein
left unlocked through the agency of Renwood (wh
as we have seen, had free to the house. an
~ its life sacrificed before the light Of another da
v. should dawn upon them and for this the Gipse
was TO receive five hundred pounds sterling. Thi
fixed upon, Ernest Renwood turned to seek hi
" home, moving with the steathy tread that cleaye
to the feet Of the guilty. II was fearful night
~ him, though the elements seemed all TO sumbe
en for he had contracted for the murder Of huma
10 being.
'S' The Gipsey was faithful to his contract the Ii
lie Louise disappeared on the subsequent night, an
). on the following morning, when her absence WI
he discovered CONSERVATION filled the hearts Of all
to The father Sir George, was almost derlous wit
be anguish. No were lsf untred TO explal
a the mystery, but in vain was all search. The Gil
=, sey band were examined, bat no intelligence WI
ar cleaned from them. They appeared TO be all
rs their encampment as before, and all search SCENE