Windham County Democrat. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1836-1853, 1847-12-30
From the Vermont Family Gazette.
Mr. Crosby's Stcp-Daughtcr.

rose brightly from his couch OF rosy CLOUDS, ant
poured glorious food Of light over quiet llttl'
village-nestled away among the rugged hlils
tbe "Granitc State" With welcome instructive
ness he stole within the open easement OF guam
old house that stood at the extremity of the mar
rev g street Ti TW 81 eotagG and the brgh
beams played and quivered upon the uncarpetct
floor the breeze shook the masses of lilac!
which boldly fourshcd against the window
Standing beside the easement is u young girl
the subject of my story. / will not call her the
heroine, for never did heroine of romance possess
the unattracivc features which characterize nv
subject" A dark complexion, and plain face arc
only relieved from positive ugliness by expressive
black eyes, and teeth of pearly wilderness her
form is slight and although nearly fourteen, she
seems not more than twelve The little maiden
appears unusually ugly upon this fine morning,
for she has been weeping and even now as her
dark eyes wander around the familiar room, and
out upon her own little garden spot the tears start
afresh her Aunt Temple with whom she has re-
sided for many years is dead, and our young friend
is about to seek the home Of her rich step father
in distant city it is this that occasions Rachel
Clays sorrow, and she keenly feels her situation,
for Miss Temple was her only relative.
Rachel's mother had married Mr. Crosby when
her daughter was but five years old. and she died
shortly after her second union, leaving her child
TO the protection of maiden sister, Rachel Clay
had but faint remembrance of her step fathers
proud home, though there appeared in the ground
of memory's picture a vision of two fair children
the offspring Of Mr. Crosbys first marriage
How would these children Of noble fortune re-
ceive the humble orphan who could claim no con-
sangunty with their proud race?
Come Miss Rachel, we must be starting" said
rough, though good naturcd looking man, peer
ing in at the open door. 81 know it's hard for
You TO leave the old house and the mistress not
been dead week, but young hearts don't remem-
Der grief long, and you'll be happy enough in
Mr. Crosby's grand house when this day comes
round next year; so cheer up my darlnt and well
have gay drive to the city,
Two days from this time, the humble equipage
of honest John Chase drew mp before a stately
mansion in Boston, and deposited Rachel CLAY at
the door of her future home.
'Now, my dear, you had best 90 in bv YOUR
SELF" said the man, as he placed the baggage upon
the step. 'AIay be the grand folks won't care to
look on my old frock and brown face, so good bye
and don't forget me and maam Chase, for we'll
remember little Rachel a long spell guess
The child looked thro her tears at the departing
vehicle until it disappeared round a corner, and
then wiping her eyes she timidly raped upon the
door. There was a gilded knob close by the
handle, but Rachel did not know that by one slight
pull she could summon servant. In her retired
village, door bells had never been introduced, so
she continued to rap till her tiny fingers ached,
and then she ventured to enter without an invita-
ton. A servant was crossing the hail. but he
stopped and listened to her fatering words.
And it's the master you want to see" said the
man, swell, he's in that room but if you be n lit
tie charity gal, as spect, don't ask nothing of
the female gender, but go straight 10 Mr. Crosby
and I'll warrant he'll give you a Bit" Rachel
gazed in wonder at the man, and then looked
down upon her nice calico frock and new calf
skin shoes, and thought she certainly had not the
appearance of beggar Passing on, our young
friend entered the designated apartment and found
the family assembled around the table.-Her
glance first rested upon firm, elderly lady, who
with an unmistakable air of feminine love of au-
thority was doing the honors of the table.-She
was the maiden sister of Mr. Crosby's first wife,
and aunt to the handsome children that sat beside
her. Miss Winter, "aunt Olive" as she was
usually called, was the first to notice the intruder,
and dropping the silver tea urn, she exclaimed
in high sharp key:
'What do you want here, child z"
Rachels tongue seemed suddenly paralyzed
and she gazcd in terror at the proud woman.
"Do you wish for any thing, little one z" said
Mr. Crosby, mildly, who had finished his meal and
now with the freedom of an indoent man, and a
gentlemans kind manner treasured the little girl
and she timidly replied,
81 am Rachel Clay, and my aunt Temple is
dead; before she died she told me to come to you,
and said that you would be-be kind to me w
Mr. Crosby drew her to his side and looked
earnestly in her face. Alas there was little of
beauty dwelling in RacheTs dark face but the
impress of a good heart, and an innocent noble
mind was visible, and in those dark eyes and in
the broad forehead, Mr. Crosby forgot the wide
mouth and tawny skin of his little step daughter.
Her presence brought back to his memory the
gentle woman, who for few short months had
been his bride, ere death summoned her from the
world, and he felt his heart warm towards the or
phan. Aunt Olives feelings, however, were diff
terent. She had never forgotten Mr. Crosby's
second marriage, and she looked with any thing
but kindness upon the destitute creature thus in
troduced into the family. The moment that she
found her brother-in-aw alone, she preached the
subject nearest her heart, rather her pride.
"You cannot think of keeping that ugly child
here" she said-"remember you have children OF
your own,--a daughter whose feelings must be re-
garded, and whose position in society must be
maintained"
"Have you fears that Rachel will monopolize
Miss Ceestina's beaux p asked the gentleman
with a lurking smile
"Good Heaven brother, how can you ask such
question? Your daughter is decidedly beauti-
full, and / am proud of the attention she receives
but this i'll looking girl will be constant source
of modification to her."
Mr. Crosby, like many other men, was lover
ofease, therefore he seldom combatted aunt Olives
or Celestes projects but the former had learned
from experience that there were bounds to his pa
thence, and the proud woman Anew that her
scheme was at an end when he replied in quiet