Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-05-15

, Icnueu, as ner WOruS ImpiIcu, 10 relieve inc
wants of sick, and perhaps dying old SER
want. who had formerly been nurse in her
fathers family, and who was now IN the low
est depth of poverty.
Our readers have already suspected the
state Of Ediih's heart. Her love for IIar-
court had grown up insensbly to herself. -
lie had long been in the habit of visiting at
her uncle's, and for a willie, his attentions
had been equally divided between Clara and
her cousin. And his warm heart, high in.
tellect and extensive requirements, rendered
him just the person to win the heart of such
a girl as Edith. She would sit whole eve
nngs listening TO his eloquent conversation
never speaking unless spoken to, bu, bnsiy
plying her needle. Nor did she become
aware of her ieelins for IIarcourt, until the
increased parlicularity Of his attentions to
Clara awakened her to the fact that sne low
ed him. Then she strove against her pas.
sion; but alas it had become so interviewer
with her gentle heart, that only death could
remove it.
Clara had long desired to become the wife
of Charles IIarcourt, for ls standing IN so.
cicty was high, and his fortune almos, that of
millionaire. She had early seen that he
wavered between her cousin and herself, and
all her arts had been exer,ed to win the prize.
She, therefore, assumed feelings she did not
entertain, as in the conversation we have
just recorded and at length, by such dupIi.
city, united to her extraordinary and striking
beauty, she succeeded so far as to regard her
ultimate triumph certain. The conscious.
ness of this caused the exuling laugh with
which she saw Edith depart from the par
lor.
The next day Charles IIarcourt called and
invited the cousins TO go with hun to a ben
eflclhl concert that evening. Edith would
have declined, but had no sufficient plea, be-
sides, her uncle, who was present, insisted
IN It. After the concert there was an adj
dress for the poor, to be followed by col
lection. The speaker was one of the most
eloquent men in the city, and on this occa-
sion he ouldid himself. The enthusiasm he
awoke was prrceptible when the plates were
passed through the assembly. Many who
had left their purses a, home, took of their
rings and threw them down for aims. Among
those persons was Clara, who drew a valua-
diamond from her finger, and thus gave i,
away. Harcourt saw the action, and men
tally resolved to wait on the committee in
the morning and redeem the ring, aud with !
this determination glanced at Edith TO see
what would be her oilcrSg. Ignorant of her
pecnniary situation, lie 50 with disgust that
she merely bowed, aud suffered the plate to
pass on, though a deep blush manlled her
cheek.
How mean" was tie inward cieaculalion
Of tlircOurt, 'wa,I have | chos N between
the t"o. Boz selfish a' she is, she has vet
tine feelings ol snamc.' Edith caught his
Look and understood il; and when she re.
'nrnrd nome she spent the night in tears.
Tn" next morning Edith entered the par.
Tor with note in her hand.
II /, from NURSE she said, she has 90,
The poor woman who waits on her to write it.
She is falling fast, and wishes, dear Clara, to
see you; for she SAYS she has not forgotten
when we both were in her arms together
cannot co. said Clara, peevishly, the
carriage is in use this morning, and the snow
is foot deep on the ground. ] wouldn't
walk out in the suburbs, TO the dirty den
where she lives, for any thing. Besides.
how unreasonable she is Did I not send
her five dollars when she was first taken
sickl'
But that was month ago
And what if it was = said Clara, sharp.
y, zone isn't made of money!
But for our old nurse
For oar old nurse said she, mimickinp
Edith, why, | can't see what particular
claims she has on one. | shan't 90 TO see
her, that's certain and as for giving her
any more money, can't afford it. gave
gave away ring last night, worth hundred
dollars, and shan'l give cent again for Years.
The county takes care Of the poor, and we
all pay taxes for them. Let Aunt Betsey 90
10 the poor house,
Edith sighed, hut said nothing. She took
mp from the table, the embroidered slippers,
and wrapping them in paper, was about to
cave the room. But with her hand on the
loor, turned and said besi,alingly.
Aunt Betty doesn't ask you dear Clara,
'or money she only asks to see you; it
would be such comfort TO hcr, she saws be
fore she dies
Clara turned around for she was looking
al the fire, and with an angry tone, answer
ed,
Do shut the door-,he chill air of the en-
Try makes me SILVER. IL you are fool
'nougll to 60 ont on such bitter day as this
so-bul, 's'uredly, shan't 90 with YOU
With sad heart, Edith departed, and ar.
raying herself warmly, and in partial dis
guse left the house. She frs, went to the
rooms of society which purchased fancy
articles from INDECENT females, and resold
hem to those wealthy persons who prefer
red patronlzing a benevolent Institution to
buying elsewhere. Tins society was the
one whose concert she and Clara had attend
ed the night before, and when she entered
the sale room, Harcourl was by chance, in an
inner apartment, where he had been slewn,
while the ring which he came to buy had
been sent out TO be valued by ieweller lie
was lislessly reading newspaper, when his
attention was arrested by voice in outer
shop. ...r.
Can you buy these slippers! said the
voice TO the shop woman. A pause ensued
as if the woman was examining them, and
then came the reply.
why, Miss, they are not finished.
Il know that, | know that quickly said
the other, in emotion, but ] am in want of
It for purposes of charity. The comfort per.
haps the life, of an aged person is at stake.
If you will advance me the money now, L
will finish the sinners