Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-08-06
s elect Tale
THE ORPHAN GIRLS.
A sKETCH-BY A SUR GEoN,

sKETCH-BY A SURGEON
STEPHEN BEVERLY was the only son of
wealthy country gentleman, handsome, inrclli-
gent and heir to three thousand a year. With
such recommendations he, at twenty-lour, easily
obtained the hand of Mary Wllmott, lovely
girl in her eighteenth year. Upon the death of
his father, which occurred a few years after his
marriage, he took up his abode at Beverly Park
1t was at this period ] was called in to attend
Mrs. Beverly, who was suffering from low ner-
vous fever
When | entered the room she was engaged
nursing lovely little gin, about three years aud
half old, another apparently about six, was
playing at her feet. Mrs. Beverly was still d
beautiful woman, but accustomed to observe,
could not help noticing her very unhappy ex-
preston of countenance; she was evidently stri-
wing to be cheerful, and appeared to me rather
to need medicine for the mind than the body
While was conversing with my patient, Mr..
Beverly entered.
Well, doctor, and how do you find Mary
she's only little hippcd now, is it not so It's
this dull place that's enough to NOPE any one
Pm tired to death, drawled he, stretching, and
then walking to the window Il wonder Gil
bert is not here he's sadly behind time
Papa papa, cried little Mary, clasping her
hands round his knees, | do not like Mr. Gil
bert
And why do you not like Mr. Gilbert said
he lifting her up.
Because, papa, mama does so cry when he
is here
He hastily placed her on the floor. could
catch but slight glimpse Of his countenance,
but | perceived him change color.
After having prescribed some slight Alternative
took my departure musing on what had passed.
That sorrow was destroying Mrs. Beverys
health had little doubt and if men like Mr..
Gilbert we're the chosen associates of her hus-
band could be surprised?
Mrs. BeverlyS health continued to decline;
felt fearful that symptoms of consumption were
showing themselves About this time the fami-
ly removed to London, and | lost sight of them
but shortly after my fears with respect to Mrs.
Beverly were confirmed, and her illness termin-
ated fatally in the spring following. The tami-
ly were now rarely down in the country Mr.
Beverly preferred town and consequently took
but little interest in his country residence; for
ten years it was rarely visited by any of them for
mare than few days at time.
One evening taking walk through the
grounds, was reused by the sound OF voices,
and on looking up perceived two girls, their arms
encircng each other, whom ! instantly rccog,
missed as the little girls had formerly nursed |
was standing so that a tree completely sheltered
me from observation Mary was neither pretty
nor beautiful, but possessed Of highly inteec-
tual countenance combined with great sweet
ness of expression She was looking tenderly
into her sisters face, whose sweet, clear laugh
rang merrly through the woods, Emily was a
lovely little creature, her black eyes sparkling
with merriment, her regular features and black
hair contrasted well with skin of dazzling
fairness; she appeared scarcely to have reached
her fifteenth year. How oyeyp mentally
exclaimed, and yet how soon to fade ?
And now, Emily, we must go in said her
elder sister; it is getting late, and you know
what little thing gives you cold
Oh! let us 90 once more along this walk,
Mary, it is so delightful and see there is not
much damp yet
Mary hesitatcd looked as if she could not
shorten her pleasure, and, turning round their
voices were soon lost i'll the distance.
l retraced my steps and returned homewards
The last accounts had heard of Mr. Beverly
were, that after having injured his health, by in.
dulging in every vice, he had engaged in mer.
camille specuations, and was travelling in Italy
for his health. He had disposed of his house
in town, and was informed that his daughters
had taken up their residence at Beverly Park I'M
til his return
must now pass over two years Of my life
during which had obtained an appointment in
India; but in consequence of loss of health
was obliged to resign and return to England. ]
departed from the shores Of India poorer than |
left my native land
One fine afternoon was loupoino on deck
Tor lick OF something better to TO- took up an
old newspaper, and, looking over the list Of
bankrupts, read therein the name of Stephen
Beverly, of Beverly Park in the county orS--e
sat muslng for some time What had been
the fate of those grlsl What home now shell
tered them? Were they separacdl we're ques-
lions in vain tried to answer read and re-
= read the paper and in restless mood threw it
upon heap Of luggage, It was Immediately
taken up by twoqf my fellow passengers who
were Seated on the opposite side of it; they
also read the bankrupt list there were several
in 1t with whom they had been acquainted.
All Stephen Beverly said one poor
devil he made.a short BUSINESS of it fell