The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-05-01
From the Golden Rule.
A NIGHT OF AIRS.
by GRACE GREENWOOD.

NV Reader: | have set some minutes,
with my pen suspended in the air above my
paper ! have been debating delicate point
i am in position. You will herhaps re-
collect that one of Fanny Forester's eXqui-
site sketches was entitled Lucy Dutton."
Now it happens that the real name of the
heroine of the over Iruc tale which am
about to do myself the honor of relating To
YOU, was no other than Lucy Dutton. Shall
rob her of her irihright-compel her to
wear nom du gueyre, because my sister-nu-
thoress accidentally gave The true name TO
one of her ideal creations Shall sacri-
flee truth to deicacy? that's the question:
mo" You said so did you not? Then Lucy,
Lucy Dutton let it be.
Some forty years since, in the interior of
my beautiful native State, Newly ork, lived
the father Of our heroine, an honest and re-
spectacle farmer. He had but two children
Lucy, noble girl of nineteen, and Ellen,
u year or two younger. The first named
was winningly rather than strikingly beauti-
ful. Under manner Observable for its seri-
business, and nun-like serenity, were con-
ceaIed an impassioned nature, and heart of
the deepest capacity for loving. She was
remarkable from her earliest childhood
for voice of thrilling and haunting sweet
ness.
Ellen Duttop was the brilliant antipodes
of her sister; II " born beauty" whose pre-
rogatve of prcttiness was to have her ire
sponsible own way, in all things, and ut all
times. An indulgent father. II weak mother,
and an dolizing sister, had all unconscious
ly contributed to the ruin of n nature not ut
the first remarkable for strength, or generos-
ity.
Where in all Gods creatures is heartless-
ness so seemingly unnotural-z-is selishness
so detestable, as in a beautiful woman
Lucy possessed fine intellect, and as her
parents were well reared New Englnnders,
she aud her sister were far better educated
than other girls oflheir station, in that then
half-setted portion ofthe country. In those
days. many engaged in school-tcachng, from
the honor and pleasure which it afforded,
rather than from necessity. Thus, few
months previous to the commencement of
our sketch, Lucy Button left for the first
time her fires circle, TO take charge of IA
school, some twenty miles from her native
town.
For some while, her letters home were ex-
pressive only of the happy contcntment
which sprang from the consciousness OF ac-
tive usefulness, of receiving, while imparting
rood. But anon there came n change; then
were those records for home characierlZed
by titful gaiety or Greary sadness: indehna
bic homes and fears seemed striving for stl-
premacy in the writer's troubled little heart.
Lucy loved but scarcely acknowledged 1t to
herself while she knew not that she was
loved: so. for time, that beautiful second
birth of woman's nature was like warm
sunrise struggling with the cold mAsls OF
morning. :,
But one day brought letter which could
not soon be forgotten in the home OF the alb
sent one-a letter traced by a hand that trem-
bled in sympathy with heart tumultuous
with happiness. Lucy had been wooed ana
wen, and she but waited her parents aP-
prevail of her choice, to become the betroth-
ed of young Edwin Vs. man OF eX-
cellent family and standing in the town
where she had been teaching. Inc tatner
and mother accorded their sanction with
many blessings, and Lucy's next letter prem
ised a speedy visit from the lovers.
To such natures as Lucy's what an absorb
ing. and vet what revealing of self is first
passion-what prodigality of giving, what
an incalculable wealth of receiving-what a
breaking up is there of the deep waters OF
the soul and how heaven descends in sud
den star-shower upon life! lfthere is a sea-
son when an angel may look with intense
and fearful interest upon her mortal sister,
It's when she beholds her heart pass from the
bud-like innocence aud freshness of girlhood,
and taking to its very core the fervid light OF
love, glow and crimson into perfect woman
hood.
Atlast the plighted lovers came, and wei
comes and festivities awaited them. MIR.
W gave entire satisfaction to father,
mother, and even the exacting beauty
He was a handsome man, with some preten-