Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-09-09
Select Gales.
WritIen for the Olive Branch.
LAURA GRAY.
OR
PRIDE COMO Erred.
BY ELLEN wARBURToN.

de CONQUERE ED.

listened patiently as his lmpetuous nature would
allow, to the commonplace phrases of fatery
and compliment bestowed upon her by others.
Then as she leaned upon his arm, he led her
from the gay circle, and seated himself by her
side near one of the massive pillars. 1t was al
lovely scene before them. The waves of the
Hudson reflected the moonlight in myrlads off
rlppled lines on its surface, and the white sails,
far and near. in the calm breath of evening,
seemed resting like enchanted sleepers. TheyI
spoke not a word, but looked on the calm beau
ty ofthe scene till their hearts were filled with its
gentle influence Then Victor breathed to her
the deep love he cherished for her, yet with the
sincerity of a noble nature avowed his poverty.
lie told her of his well-grounded hopes of sue
cess in his profession, and the bright dreams heI
cherished Of future wealth and fame His pres
ent fortune was sufficient to afford them a re-
spectacle home and the comforts Of life, and his
first successful efforts had paved the way to fame
and fortune. In feryency and truth he laid his
hopes and the wealth of his hearts affections a.
Ike at her feet. Laura trembed with excess
i've agitation, and it was with difficulty that she
could command her voice to answer
'lhe hour to which | have looked forward
with mingled hope and dread has come at last
Listen, Victor, to tale which would breathe
to none other than to you, yet to you it is due,
for believe that among the gay crowd who have
protessed to worship at my shrine, you are the
only one who has appreciated the redeemng
traits of my character, and truly loved me in
spite of my faults. They call me proud, self
willed and cod-hearted. True, am all, but
not so by nature. am proud, nor would give
up that feeling which will moi allow me to stoop
to degrading receptions, nor fdwn around the
low-minded and base-hearted for the sake of
their wealth or station am selGwilled and dis
trustful, for | have learned in the bitter school
Of perjury, that the so-caed great would bind
the souls of the unfortunate in bonds of slavery,
and crush the glorious gifts of God into oblivion,
if they were bestowed in the humber walks of
life. | have seen and felt the glance of scorn,
whitening the hopes of youth, and resting upon
those who were created superior to the proud
possessors Of wealth and rank. | am cold
hearted, and why should not be was born
to heritage of restitution. My parents married
for love, foolishy dreaming that the all-absorb
ing passion could shed light around a home chill
ed by the frosts of penury 1t may be that il
was so to them. They complained not, though
want and suffering daily stared them in the face
and at last became inmates of their wretchec
dwelling. For my part felt it to be unendur
able. There was a consciousness that possess
ed many glorious gift from heaven, and ye
these blessings seemed to deepen the gloon
which surrounded me, for they gave me lofty as
piratlons, and unquenchablc longings tor things
beyond my reach. | caught eagerly at the frs
rudiments of science, and forgot for time the
bitterness of my lot in the wealth of thought
opened to my view. | pursued my lonely stud
les, but there were none to aid and guide me
and it seemed as if every source of delight wa;
closed from me. Then | felt the full bitterness
of my lot, and would gladly have laid down my
life-but it might not be so. Sickness came t.
our home, and my father found an early grave
Deprived Of her earthly stay, my mother applied
to her relatives for aid. They had discarded he
on account Of her unfortunate marriage, but nov
received her again. We came to the house c
aunt Percy, and was placed at school. Thel
my delight knew no bounds, till another SHADOW
came. My mother died and left me withou
any near relative; and the utter LONELINESS iel
cannot be described. To drown my almos
overwhelming grief and Danish it from my hear
applied myself anew to study. had no dreal
Of tenderness to hold me back, and | went OF
ward in my pursuit Of science far beyond other
of my age. Accomplishments and deeper stut
les alike were acquired, aud | was richly TT
warded by the approval of my friends V
7 boI, e.,
proud spirit lretted at the chains that bound m
loathed my dependence, and vainly sighed fc
freedom to rise in the ranks of society, untran
melled even by the ties of gratitude. | kne
that the gay world in which was soon to mo,
would look with scorn upon my humble paren
age, if it were known to them | knew that
was indebted to aunt Percy for the luxuriol
home enjoyed, and for the education so hig
ly priced. This sense of obligation was pal
full to me, and | made my cntrec into CAV soci
ty with the resolution that | would conqu
hearts, and revenge upon the world at large IL
GOODNESS which they would nhct upon the DIES
late and unfriended The rest you we'll kno
Flatterers have poured their fulsome adulatio
lavishly upon me, brainless foplings have mt
INJURED of broken hearts and called me caprcio
and cruel, and wiser ones said that sacriic
all that was gentle or womanIy in my afecto
at the shrine of ambition. Even Henry Per
believes me to be the heartless being that
seem. You alone have read my better naul
and will not deceive you. Will the kno,
edge make you happier! fear not yet, Vct
will tell you; return your affection. Ma
hear me out, she sad eluding the arm IL
would have encircIed her waist. Pride, a
the memory of past suffering must rule my
cison. You are possessed of a small esta
but it would be insufficient for your wants VIII
burdened with portionless bride. Behold HI
the curse that blighted my home and robbed
childhood of its happiness. You nave the
blest profession in the world The path to h,
or nealth and fame lies omen heGnre WON Th.