Windham County Democrat. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1836-1853, 1847-12-30


Rachel had not lived in her new home week,
ere she learned that Mr. Crosby was the only one
from whom she might expect kindness. Celeste,
a naughty belle of eighteen, treated her with a
cold contempt that was hard indeed to bear her
brother Robert, a proud youth, one year younger
than Celeste, had chrisened the stranger, the
"IIottentot," though his natural incidence led HIM
to abbreviate the soubriquet to Tot, and the young
gentleman experienced infinite satisfaction IN an
moving Tot when not restrained by his fathers
presence.
Thus painfully situated, Rachel sought the sol
itude of her room, and never appeared in the fam
lily unless compelled by necessity to undergo the
ordeal Of derision and contempt. But our young
friend soon found an alienation of her unhappness
in the library, among the thoughts OF great MINDS
1t was not to the lighter productions of genius that
she turned for consolation in her lonely life. Miss
| Temple, who had been Il second mother TO Rachel
Clay had carefully selected her niece's little Ii
rqx G@ FQ %Sa h Our az R Rachel T." had @cqa
red cultivated taste and superior understanding,
and she eagerly sought for the volumes which
Miss Temple had commended, thereby storing
her mind with Il knowledge that was infinitely SUI
perior to. the useless accomplishments of Miss
Celestina.
Thus passed away two years. and we would
gladly speak more definitely of their progress. but
minute details are an Editors horror" therefore
we will pass over intervening events, and bring
our sketch to close. But we must first introduce
a new character
Philip Meredith was young Englshman,
wealthy, handsome and talented. lie had formed
an acquaintance with Robert, and accepted an in
vitation from that young gentleman to spend the
month previous to his departure for Europe at
Mr. Crosby's mansion. On the second morning of
his visit, as he sat with Aunt Olive and Celeste,
the door opened and young girl entered. She
was attired in coarse garments made after the sim
pie fashion of childhood, and her hair of raven hue
was parted back from the forehead and done up
in huge paper roll upon the neck.-Although
now SIXTEEN Rachel looked but little older than
when first presented to the reader.-Her slight
form, and the dress which it was aunt Olives pol
icy that she should wear, together with her timid
uniformed manner, gave her the appearance of
child of some twelve summers. On entering, Ra-
chel glanced hastily at the stranger, and then with
deprecating look at aunt Olive, quickly retreat
ed the humble girl had been told by the proud
lady, that the drawing room was not her proper
place, and indeed it WIS seldom she intruded up
on the forbidden ground.
as that little girl daughter of Mr. Crosby ?"
asked Meredith, as Rachel disappeared.
"No," hesitatingly replied Aunt Olive, "shc is
a conneXion of my brothers second wife the child
is destitute creature with some pcculiarities of
mind, which render her unfit to appear in society,",
Philip Meredith said no more, and indeed he
wished that he had not spoken at all, for he thot
that Rachel Clay must be either lunatic or an
idiot, he could not determine which. though the
childs large bright eyes inclined him to believe her
a victim Of lunacy. a week passed by, and the
guest saw no more the unquiet spirit" that wan
dcred like little ghost about the house, and her
locality ut length became quite speculation to
him. One dull rainy morning, Meredith watch
ed the scudding clouds in the vain hope that they
would break away, and allow ray of the sun to
peep forth. He talked sentiment with pretty &C.
leste, until he weared of the soft nothings which
her lovely lips uttered, and then sauntered to the
d 5Tafy n g e saESh Of mRH tac F@RPH &6@
half buried in an old arm chair, was the unfortu- |
nate being who had so deeply excited his curiosity
and sympathy. Rachel was so intently porting
over a volume that she did not notice his intrusion,
and he advanced towards the window, murmur-
ing
eff the poor creature is more vapid than Cc-
leste, pity her indeed"
Meredith kindly placed his hand upon Rachel's
head, and our young friend look up as if terri
fed, and then retreated towar door.
"Nay, do not CO." said he, houd be cruel
indeed to deprive you of one pleasure and you
looked very happy when l entered" And he
placed her again upon the chair.
"Can you read, my dear ?" he asked.
Rachel fixed her eyes intently upon her strange
companion, and then, merriment getting the bet
ter of her timidity, she broke into a laugh so
musical, so full of glec, that Meredith was obliged
to join, though he thought it only another proof of
her deficiency of intellect.
"What is your name, little one?" he said
A deep blush mantled over Rachels plain face
as she answered her interrogation.
"WelI, Rachel, you cannot be interested in this
grave volume here is book of pictures, with the
story of Giant killing Jack, which we will read
together )" and thus saying, Mr. Philip Meredith
laid aside 'Young's Night Thoughts and subst-
tuted the terrible pages of the famed giant, which
years before had been under the inspection of
Master Robert Crosby's nfantine years. If Ra-
chel Clay had heard Aunt Olives history of my
brothers second wife's relation she would have
possessed the key to her companions strange con-
duct. But she was ignorant of the 'peculiarties
of mind ascribed to her, and was now both fright
ened and offended at Merediths manner. Though
lacking in a knowledge of the prescribed rules of
etiquette, she yet possessed firmness of mind,
and self respect, that could i'll brook such faml-
iarity from an entire stranger.-Perhaps Meredith
read in her face something of what was passing in
her mind, for he Immediately added
spray do not be offended, l only took from you
that book because of its dizziness believe me, this
story of the giant is quite pretty"
Young was her Aunt Temples favorite author,
and Rachel would not hear him dispagaged, even
by the fine gentleman who now addressed her.
81 think you give me credit for strange TASTE"
she said, gravely. "When a child this fable could
please me, and many time have / listened with
increasing interest ia ifs ranattion but IN,