The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-09-05

glass, that nearly fhinted, and was even tler
on the point of throwing off my wretchct
rags, and renouncng ibrever life so dis
guising,
commenced my hazardous career. Ii
this city there are many houses ofelegant anC
genteel appearance, where one can go will
perfect freedom and do what, and MS they
plense-where for n bride 10 question is evel
asked, nor need you fear betrayal. hired I
small room in one Of these, kept by an ole
Jew. II was my custom 10 leave my boarding
house as ifior a walk, and repair TO this dwell
ling; neither hud lany scruples about being
seen by any chance acquaintance entering 4
house of so respectable an appearance.
was always admitted by the old Jew; here
put on my rags,and was let out again through
dark ally, opening into the ABIDING street,
Suffice 1t TO say that at my first initiation
was so successful ns 10 confirm me more
strongly in my purpose Articles of value
frequently rewarded my gleaniugs ofthe sew
ers aud drains-sonietimes jewels, trifing u
mounts of money, laces, ribbons, besides the
common filthy rags, ofno value except to the
paper makers. After n fire, my profits were
not untlequently over fifty dollars;my wretch
ed appearance too, awoke the charity Of the
passerby, so that week sometimes would
bring me several dollars. ] would not have
begged, but what shall say, Irefused not
that which was thrust upon me. each day
brought my pack ofunseemly gains TO this
my castle. Here would separate and ar
range them according to their value prior to
disposing of them TO those who always stand
ready TO receive such merchandise.
Strange as it may appear, in Il few years |
found myself rapidly growing rich, and in my
o,Cn name was able TO invest the earnings Of
'Poor Neliy IN Bank Stocks, &c. But never
felt secure, had too the modification to
find that my frequent absence, so unaccount-
able and so periodical, had awakened much
suspicion, and | therefore concluded to re-
nounce my seclusion of wdowhood, and
come forth again into the gay world, aud re-
sumo the station IN society had never lost,
but from which had only Withdrawn for
season; and now felt my fortune was suffic-
lent 10 keep me Here' hired a splendid man
it in the most elegant style
threw off my weeds, and emerged from my
chrysalis the gay and dashing Mrs Ballantvne
then still Young, aud as my glass told me,
still handsume | thought now to avoid com
ment; but where will not the peering eye of
curiosity reach, or the tongue of Islander de-
file! found my mysterious conduct still the
theme of unimadvcrsion; so determined to
make mystery my forte. surrounded myself
4 n
,0aS only colied eccentric! No one neglected
my balls, my snppers, my fetes-I became
more diStingue than ever.
In the meanwhile steadily pursued myvo-
cation Of RdggGtherer, and you can probably
hardly credit me, when | say that became
even 10 this manner oflite IT SEEM
ed to me had two eXistences, and those the
very dntlpodeS of society, and delighted in
doing justice to boM As Mrs. BaLiant,ne |
nyselfwith every luxury and ell
egance; as poor .NeLty | Jared worse than the
street beggar Without grinace drank the
dingy water from the rough wooden dinner;
in this soaked the crust ofstule bread to ap-
pease my hunger, and stretched my limbs
upon the hard straw pallet. need not have
done this; | might have Jared like princess
in my rags; but Iglorled in identifying myself
with poor Nelly. And in the evening my lips
pressed the exquisite China, or richly chased
gobIct delicate comfits were prepared for my
tustidlous taste, and | repoSed myself upon
cushions ofsatin and down! became again
Ms. Balantync. But you, my son. were still
my idol: saw You coming forward in life all
thetondest mother could wish, and Rugged
the more the pitiful calling which enabled
me TO place you ,Ohere yOm father had stood!
Now sudden fear seized me; | found the
passion ofavarice fast gaining upon me: the
very nature of my employment was conduc-
i've to its growth. shuddered to find myself
actually gloating over any unexpected trea-
sure which fell TO my hands, with the same
delight should have felt were in realitvthe
poor wretch Ipersonated. TO break from its
thraldom required n vigorous effort sue
ceeded. Asan atonemenI for the duplcitv
for so must call iD practiced so long upon
the public, | now gave away large sums to
charitable institutions and sought out the poor
ind miserable to relieve theI'wants, and in so
doing, felt happier than had ever done be-
fore. 1t was ut this time my dear Violet that
the hand of Providence guided me to YOU, as
if to confirm my good resolutions. When
closed the eyes ofyour unhappy parent SOL
EMMY vowed within myself, and in the sight
Of God, to take you to my heart as my own
child, and that you should share equally with
my son the fortune which my conscience told
me had surreptitousy Obtained. soon
loved you, yet you were constant source of |
anxiety to me. formed the romantic reso-
luton of educating you entirely from the !
world; to keep your mind pure as infancy; and |
then, when had led your steps along the per-
ect path my fancy had opened for YOU, when
my work should be accomplished, the world |
should see my prodigy perfect model of |
beauty, Intelligence and virtue!
You were ever gentle, obediert child and |
without murmur suffered yourselfto be left !
alone all through the dreary night, ana some
lines entire days. As your mind expanded. |
lowl delighted in my airy scheme 1t was
l pleasure for me to instruct you, and for
lime Ireinquished entirely my street rambles,
hat l might pursue your education. 1t was
wild chimera, ofan Imagination as wild, to
you were always to be as contented
n this dreary solitary dwelling until chose
o lit the latch offreedom; it certainly proved
so, for at the age of fourteen the old garden
Gould no longer content you. Your own act
destroyed the illusion, and it was for the best.
As Mrs. Ballantyne I now received Won IN ,,,,