The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-12-21
Middlebury, Vermont Tuesday Morning, Dec. 81 1S4z

OF pleasure unSalS MS heart strings, TO the
gentle Louisa, whose manners at once so cour-
teous and so refined, offered so agreeable a
contrast.
There are some perhaps, whose hearts have
never felt the powers of love, who rail about
love at first sight as theory TO ridiculous to
dwell upon-a chimera only originating in the
heads of romantic schoolgirls and beaHless
shop-boys; very well, let them have il so on
ly assert that both Louisa and the artist, at
that first interview, were favorably impressed;
and that brief intercourse under the same
roof cemented their young hearts with all tie
strength of first and truthful affection Love
himself sly ARTIST traced each on the others
heart in fadeless tints Sine ere and unselfish
was the love which Walter Evertson had con-
ceived for Louisa; a love which he intended to
bury within his own throbbing breast-for he
dared not flatter himself that it would be re-
turned-she, the heiress of thousands-he, the
poor unfriended artist. Vain resolve 1t was
the evening with which this chapter common
ces, that, in an unguaIded moment, he had re-
yealed to her his love, and received the blest
assurance of her own in return. But their
cup ofjoy was even then embittered by the
consciousness that her father, in his cold, sell
fish nature, would tear their hearts asunder,
even though he snapped their lite-strings.
In the meantime the business which brought
him to the villa was being accomplished Mr..
and Mrs. Oakly saw themselves to the life on
canvass, and now it only remained TO consum-
mate his work by portraying the features of
Louisa Delightful, yet difficult task Mrs.
Oakly had so far aroused herself from her
usual lethargy, as to insist that the figure of
Louisa herself should be but secondary in the
picture about to be executed, She was tired,
she said, ofthose stiff, prim figures on sombre-
tinted ground, looking out from gilded frames,
with eyeballs ever coldly glaring upon one,
and would have a large painting OF rare design
and skill-woods. fountains, birds, and flow
ers, to relieve the form and face of Louisa from
this dull sameness. Various were the sketches
brought forward for her approval; and whole
days, which Evertson wished might never end,
were spent in vain endeavoIs TO settle upon
some one of them for the purpose. Accident,
however, at length furnished the desired tail
eau-although it would be doing injustice to
Evertson to imply that he lacked talent or O.
rignality-fine as were his sketches, they fail
ed to please Mrs. Oakly, because-she would
not be pleased,
One morning Louisa strolled out alone, and
ANONYMOUSLY pursued her ramble until she had
reached beautiful meadow fringed with fine
old trees, whose branches bent down to meet
their dark, leafy shadows in the bright waters
Of the Susquehanna. Birds were singing mer-
rilly, butterflies sported their golden wings and
the grashopper chirped, blithely leaping thr'o
the tall grass. Here and there, where the RAYS
Of the sun had not yet penetrated, were the
gossamers of elm broideryAmantes dropped
by fairys on their merry rounds in the check
cred moonlight beneath those old trees; there
was drop Of bright nectar, too, left in the cup
of the wild flower, and the large, red clover
tops were sparkling with dew gems. l cannot
assert that Louisa saw all the beiu;ies of this
fine morning. for, absorbed in pleasing thoughts
upon which we will not intrude, sati as we
ought to be that the artist occupied full share
she seated herself beneath one of those shad-
owing trees, and resting her chin upon the
palm of her little hand, most likely, am sorry
to say, heard neither the MARBLE of the birds,
the cheerful chirping insect, or saw the bright
glancing river, with the little boat, which was
just then dancing over Its silvery rpples.
The sound Of voices approaching in the OPP
posite direction, suddenly broke in upon her
trance, and she then, for the first time refec-
ted that she had passed the boundaries of her
fathers land. The estate adjoining had lately
been purchased by wealthy Englishmen, it
was said. For many weeks, repairs had been
going on in the old mansion, which for several
years had been tenantless and the family were
daily expecting to arrive. : That they had now
done so was Louisa's conclusion. The voices
drew nearer; but, as trusting to the thick fol-
llage for concealement, she remained perfectly
still; when apparently within but a few PAGES
from her the party stopped
What lovely view,' exclaimed a soft female
voice, 81 wish MAMA had not turned back, she
would have been so delighted
1t is truly fne,' was the reply, in a mascu-
line voice; 1t is even more beautiful than the
view from the lawn We so much admired last
evening; what if you were to sketch it.
III had only brought my crayons l would
do so now. How lovely it isp answered the
lady.
'lf YOU have strength for it after your long
walk was the reply, i will return for your
portfolio; here is nice shady seat for you'll
will soon be back, but do not ramble away from
this spot
Louisa heard the retreating footsteps, and
was about to make good her own, when beau
tiful Scotch air, very sweetly warbled, arrested
her attention. The song ceased abruptly, Civ
ing place to to scream so loud and
shrill, as blanched the cheek of Louisa with
the hue of death. She sprung to her feet and
pdllllilg Will tcIIUI eliieIpcu from her Sncller
into the open meadow just as the scream was
again repeated. She now almost breathlessly
looked around to detect the cause of alarm. In
a moment she sawit all. A noble stag, having
probably leaped the -pailings, came boun-
ding swiftly across the meadow directly to-
ward the spot where Louisa was standing, no
doubt with the intention of shaking his thirst at
the tempting stream. The terrors of Louisa
were at once allayed: and she now bos.enad IN
the spot whence the screams issued, to soothe,
if possible, the fears of the unknown.
Trembling with fright, and clinging to 4
tree for support, was a female, dwarf-like in
statute, and deformed in shape. Her coun-
tenance was deadly pale, and her eye-balls, al
most fixed with terror, were strained upon the
animal, as he came leaping onward. Ere Lou
lisa could speak he had approached within a
few PAGES, and as if now first aware of their
presence, he suddenly halted; arched his beau
tiful. glossy neck, and bending his antIered