Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-05-28


part for which he himself could not refrain
from surprise for when, like some beauteous
sylph, she first appeared before his entranced
vision, he had placed himself in Cupid's cal
endar; for several days at least, as "faihoms
deep in love" But these first impressions
soon passed away. That she was beautiful
he could but acknowledge, and very kind also
he believed yet there was something more
than beauty required TO touch heart like his.
and he very soon discovered that this was all
the claim which she possessed to his admira-
ton.
II happened one afternoon that CLEVELAND
stroled forth for solitary ramble N the adj
Joining woods. For sometime he sauniered
leisurely along, absorbed in the quiet beauty Of
the scene, listening to the divine melody of ma
ture uplifted from every blade Of grass, from
every flower, and swelling in delicious cadence
through the forest trees, when his ears were
suddenly saluted by one Of the sweetest voices
he thought he had ever heard reading aloud
with the most graceful and correct inionation.
Softly advancing in the direction from which
the voice proceeded, and cautiously putting
aside the branches of large sycamore, who
should he behold but our wild, thoughtless
WINNIE Yes, seated like little dove amid
the tall brake, and noddmg Star-flowers, par
TALLY reclining against the messy trunk Of an
aged tree, was WINNIE her golden hair uu-
fetered by comb or ribbon, sporting with the
soft wind among the wild flowers and fragrant
heritage; volume of Shakespeare in her hand,
and at her feet little wicker basket lay upset,
from which as if glad to make their escape,
rolled forth the rich, ripe blackberries, hiding
themselves under the mushrooms and broad
leaved clover, as if for fairy banquet or roll
la1 IL, Iapl- OF
triumphant on the bright dancing waters ofthe
little brook No doubt WINNIE had been sent
in hurry to gather those very berries for sup
per and was this despatch !--careless girl, sit
ting under tree, and, like young Sddons
OF natures own teaching, declaiming from
Shakespeare
She had Just finished Portals eloquent APP
peal to the Jew, when a golden orlole perehed
himself upon the top-most bough, OF the very
tree that concealed CLEVELAND; and, as if he
felt himself called upon to contribute his share
for the generel entertainment, plumed his lit
tie wings. smooihed his downy breast with
his bright bill, and after low tril of the sweet
est notes, gushed forth in strain Of most en-
chanting harmony. No sooner had the last
note tainted on the bamy breeze than WIvslE,
throwing back her head, and lifting those great
eyes 10 the giddy perch of the oriole, echoed
every note, every trl Of his beautiful song,
with a truth and melody almost Startling
Master ORioLE seemed not in the least offended
at this liberty, but hopping back and forth a
moment on one leg. nodded his bright crest to
WINNIE. as if to say, "15y again, teW you 2"
and once more. his little breast, swelled with
pride, poured forth his delicious notes.
But now, other notes, less ''lnked in dying
sweetness" were added to this agreeable con-
cert.
''WNmE, WrNNIE - screamed shrll
voice, and Mrs. ORNE herself appeared upon
the scene.
Did not WINNIE spring to her feet and did
not she hasten to raise the careless basket and
recover her truant 5lack-berries
"What have you been doing ! should like
to know ?" said Mrs. ORNE here it is almost
sun-down, and you are wasting your time
like this, when you have those rice-cakes to
prepare for Mr.. CLEvELAND's supper"
"lndeed aunt, lam very Sorry" answered
WINNIE, &c had no idea il was so late, But
| have every thing ready for the biscuits, and
Mr.. CLEVELAND shall have them in time"
"What is this-a book Ohio this is the
way you spend your time, IS 1t, Miss VIM
FRED ?" and snatching it from her hand, Mrs
OREE tossed it into the brook, saying:
"'There, wish could drown all the hate
ful play writers in the same manner"
WINNIE looked long and wistfully at her
treasure, as il hoated over the ghsening white
pebbles and messy boulders, then, with hea.
w sigh, turned and followed her aunt along
the shady path leading directly to the house
Wrapped IN amaze, had CLEVELAND wit
messed the foregoing scene. He had listened,
entranced, to the fine reading-watched the
animated countenance of WINNIE, and felt ev-
cry nerve thrill with delight at her bird-llke
notes of surprising mimlcry ; and then, like
some ugly screech-owl the voice of Mrs. ONE
had dissolved the charm. He heard her adj
dress the unknown girl, not only as a mental,
but as an inmate of her house and kitchen,
while she, in return, had called Mrs. ORNE
".4sst." What could this mean2 He had
seen the vehemnenee with which the book had
been thrown into the stream; and it was the
recollection of1his which first recalled him to
himself Fastening 10 the brink Of the little
brook, he soon succeeded in recovering this
(doub,leSs) priceless treasure of the young
girl ; and wet as it was, he could not refrain
from pressing il to his lips then carefully wi
ping il with his handkerchief he placed il il
his bosom, determined fpossible to solve the
mystery, and restore the book TO It's rghtful
owner.
1uflOuSlf ulu0 I.ENELAND ply III al kne udck
windows and doors, as he returned to the
house, and with an air Of great abstraction did
he take his seat at the neatly spread supper Ia
bic. But there were those promised rice-buis-
cts, whittier than snow, and those identical
blackberries, sprinkled over with fine powder
ed sugar. For some reason they were the
sweetest and the best, both buisclts and ber-
ries, he had ever tasted, nor could he refrain
from dissenting upon their merits with true
epicurean fluency.
Eyes" said Mrs. ORNE, looking at her
lovely niece, "our Dear WIMFRED excels in
making these little niceitiesr
"And these berries, continued CLEVELAND,
fixing his eyes upon WMFRED, SIS itpossible
you ever scramble among hedges and briars
at the risk Of wounding those very delicate fin
gers"
GAS you sec, )" interrupted Mrs oRNE poin:-
ing to the dish, "she considers the risk as only
adding to the pleasure Of catering for the tastes
Of her friends"
CLEVELAND made no answer-a peculiar
expression passed over his countenance and
then as if determined to prove their falsehood
10 the utmost, he said, taking the Shakespeare
from his breast:
''By the way, my dear madam, the nymphs
and maids of your groves and streams must be
more than usually intellectual; for, see what
some of these elm spriles left floating on the
Il 4