Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-03-19
once Too often;

highly cultivated, andwitbin iisPreclncIs' embed
dad in wood. stood a red brick mansion, with It's
massive stone cornices, corbels and dressings
lis deepbay windows and gaberoofs. This man.
.;on had been, for some centuries, in the hands
Of the Nugents-ihe great county family, whose
ancestral honors might be traced back to the Nor
mans, and whose arms may yetbe deciPhered in
theblazonry Of the Bayeux tapestry. Some hun
dred and fifty years ago, the inhabitant Of this
mansion was a solitary lady-a Lady Clara Nu-
Rent--whose mode Of life and character formed
a frequenI subject for conversation and conjecture
amongst thesurrounding gentry. OF the person.
al appearance Of Lady Clara, II may be enough
to say, that her age was doubtful her usual aspect
sombre, and that she might have been supposed
past the meridian of life; but, at times, when a
smile Of beneVolence, an expression of content,
beamed on her fauldess features, giving life and
brightness TO her eyes, she seemed scarcely TO
have numbered thirty summers. Esteemed and
courted by populous neighborhood, she lived in
great retirement or, if she sought fellowship with
any il was with the poor and humble. Her viii
lags school was never neglected, and her most
cheerful hours appeared to be those passed in the
instruction Of youth. In short, her benehcence
was extended to all her poorer neighbors, among
whom she was regarded with all the affection her
bounties mertcd.
When she first came to reside at Dorngcourt
(for the properly had only devolved on her by the
death of two elder sisters, neither Of whom had
resided on the estate since their chlldhood,) she
was said to have received proposals from several
gentlemen possessing fine estates in the country;
but her determination never to marry was ex-
pressed with so much frmness that it was con-
sidered irrevocable.
Early one summers morning, the people in the
village of Dorngcourt were surprised TO hear that
Lady Clara had given orders for her travelling
carriage to be got ready. Twelve years uninter-
rupted residence at the Park, had induced them
to fancy she could never leave it, but Lady Cla-
ra was going, without saying whether her abb
sence would be long or short, nor TO what spot
she was proceeding. She made every arrange
ment for the continuance of her charities, and
left instructions with the clergyman and her own
steward, for the fulflment of these plans.
Never could there have been stronger proof
Of the inadequate value we are apt TO set upon
present blessings, thanthe aspect OF Dorngcourt
village long after Lady CIara's departure. ltwas
not merely the tribute Of tears shed, as her car
riage rolled rapidly through the assembled crowd,
but more lasting one in the overwhelming sor-
row which seemed to paralyze their exerllons.-
She whose counsel taught prudence and FORE
thought; she whose ready sympathy soothed the
sorrows and dried the tears of the afflicted; she
whose bountful and judiclous gifts, took from the
industrious the sting of failures she was gone
from them; her charities, ,herestabliShments were
to be kept up, but the spirit which animated and
rendered these things doubly precious, no longer
dwelt among them.
After some weeks absence, Lady Clara returned
almost as suddenly and unexpectedly as she had
gone; but she returned not alone She was ac-
companied by young man who called her aunt,
and on whom she lavished the greatest kindness.
Whatever Captain Mortimer desired, waste be in
stantly procured. Whateyerhe did, seemed right
in the eyes of Lady Clara; and, IN truth, mind
like hers could not have had fairer field for the
indulgence of its tenderest sympathies. The
Young soldiers noble brow and honest bearing
furnished him with passport TO every heart
He was in very bad health; five years service
on West Indian station had robbed his cheek
of its sunny brightness, and, in some degree,
dimmed the luslre of his eye; and low inter-
mitent fever had prostrated, 10 almost childish
weakness, his manly form.
Lady Clara tended and soothed him in his
hours Of pain and debility, and assumed gaiety
foreign to her disposition, when his spirits would
bearit. At the close of day, during which he
had heen unusually i'll and depressed, she said
"My dear Harry, why will you not confde in
mel Why not avow the cause Of grief which
NAV not be, as YOU think, without remedyl"
GOh, yes, it is but TOO remedess," replied he,
'.but YOU have a right to my confidence, and shall
not ask for ittwice.
"Two years ago, became prdenty attached
70 the daughter Of General Sir George Dormer,
and had every reason to suppose my affections
returned. Eliza Dormer was b5autltu! and much
admired; al times this admiration, which seemed
pleasing TO her, alarmed my tenderness, and,
more than once, ventured TO tell her that her
manner rather attracted than repelled, a mode OF
daiance which thought cruel to me. On these
occasions Eliza would assure me that attentions
were forced upon her-that her fathers situation
exposed her TO them-that she could not be un-
civil to any guest at the Government House; and,
if not convinced by her arguments, was over
powered by her bright and sunny smile, as she
added-'you know, Harry, that love none but
YOU
"Sir George Dormer was recalled to England
and, as Eliza would not cancel the promise she
had exacted from me, of concealing our attach.
ment from her father, | was forced to see her
leave the island, and trust TO her assurance that
ere could obtain leave to join them in England
all should be acknowledged by her, and that she
doubted not her faiher's consent would follow
AT this moment,' said she, 'he is overwhelmed
with public affairs, his minds harrassed, his tenn
per soured by arecall which he thinks unjust, anC
believe me, Harry, it were TO risk our future hap
piness to apply TO him at present. Perhaps, il
this instance, any own reason took part with he
arguments, but bitterly reproached myself 70
having consented to the previous concealment.
al saw them embark, and Instantly applied 70
leave. OF the difficulties thrown in my way
YOU can best Judge, for nothing short of you