The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1847-09-04
A NIGHT OF YEARS.
BY GRACE GREENWOOD.
Ncw0k, Del.

X Some forty years SINCE, in the
interior ofmv beautiful native State, N.
York, lived the father of our heroine, an
honest and respectable farmer. He had
but two children-Lucy, a noble girl of
nineteen, and Ellen, a year or two young
or. The first was Winninglv, rather than
stribingIy beautiful. Under manner
observable for its seriousness, and nun
like serenity, were concealed an lmpas-
stoned nature, and heart of the deepest
capacity for loving. She was remarkable
from her earliest childhood for a voice Of
thrilling and haunting sweetness.
Ellen Dutton was the brilliant anti
poles Of her sister: ''born beauty"
whose prerogatiye Of pr"atiness was to
have her irresponsible own way, in all
things and at all times. An induIgent IA
thrr, a weak mother, and an idoi2ins sis
ter, had all pnconsciously contributed to
the ruin Of a nature not at the first re-
markable for strength or generosity.
Where, III all Gods creatures, is heart
IeSsness so seemingly unnatural, is sell
fishncSs so dptestablc, as in beautiful
woman,
Lucy possessed a fine intellect, and as
her parents were Well-rearcd New Eng
IaudorS, she and her sister were far better
educated than other girls of her station,
in that then half settled portion of the
country. In those days, many engaged
in that then half settled portion Of the
country in school teaching, from the hon
or and pleasure it afforded, rather than
from necessity. Thus, few months pre-
vious tothe commencement of our sketch
Lucy Button left for the first time her fire
side circle, to take charge of a school
some twenty miles from hei native town.
For some while her letters home were
expressive only ofthe happy contentment
which springs from the consciousness of
active usefulness. Of receiving, while i'm
parting good. But anon, there came a
change; then We're those records for home
characterized by titfu caietv. or drcarv
sadness: indcfnablc hopes and fears SEEM
ed striving for supremacy in the writer's
troubled little heart. Lucy lorod, but
scarcely acknowledged it to herself,
while she knew not that she was loved;
so, for time, that beautiful second birth
or Woman's nature Yves like warm sun
rise struggling with the cold mists of
morning.
But one day brought letter which
could not soon be forgotten in the home
ofthe absent onc-a letter traced by a
hand that trombled in sympathy with a
heart tumu1tuous with happiness. Lucy
had been wooed and won. and but wait
cd her parents approval of her choice to
become the betrOthed of Young Edwin
W, man of'excclIent family and
standing in the town where she had been
teaching. The father and mother afford
ed their sanction with many blessings,
and Lucy's next letter promised speedy
visit from the lovers.
To such nature as Lucy's what an alb
sorbing. and veAvhat revealing ofself
is first passion-what a prodigalitv of
giving, what an incalcuable wealth of
receiving-what breaking up is there
of the deep waters of the soul, and how
heaven descends in a sudden star shower
upon life Tfthere is a season when an
angel may look with intense and fearful
interest upon her mortal sister, 'tis when
she beholds her heart pass from the bud
like-innocence and freshness of girlhood,
and, taking to its very core the fervid
LIGHT oflove, glow and crimson into per-
feet womanhood.
AT last the plighted lovers came, and
welcomes and festivities awaited them.
Mr.. VI gave entire satisfaction to
father, mother. and even to the exacting
''beauty." He was a handsome man.
with some pretensions to fashion; but in
manner, and apparently in character, the
, opposite of his betrothed.
1t was decided that Lucy should not