Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-01-14
THE PORTRAIT.
A Tale of woman's Lasting Love.


ed Walter Morton, drawing his chair still closer to
his mother, aud taking her hand between his -
y Three whole years since left YOU and vet YOU
do not look day older than when we parted, and
declare you are haudsomer than ever p
The happy mother smiled. She was proud Of
her sailor son-proud Of his handsome face, his
gallant bearing, his true and noble heart He was
her only son, and she was widow She was but
young at her husbands death and many were the
difficulties with which she had struggled in order
10 educate her child, and prepare him TO make his
way through the world. Her efforts procured him
a situation as mate in large merchantman and
he had now returned from his third voyage, laden
with honorable testimonials Of the high estimation
in which his employers held him
81 have often thought" said Walter, "that you
must be very lonely when | am away WHY should
leave you again, mother We have enough now
for our two unambious selves, and il is but irininp
with our own happiness 10 part, when we might be
together. will not go to again"
And when you marry Walter" said his moth
er smiling we must think of that probability"
"Oh, yes, of course. But will marry an heir
ess, so that difficulty is settled. But you have told
me no village news yet. How many marriages
have taken place in my absencel"
Three, believe. Helen Warner is married 10
her cousin; Emily Burton 10 John Morris the
brewer and your old acquaintance and fayorite
"Nothng, mother, 60 on So Amy Sinclair is
married y
mo, my dear-no such thing. What put that
into your hsadl have something 10 tell you Of
Amy; but was going just now to tell you that
your old favorte, Tom Purnell, had succeeded in
winning the village heress, with fortune of hun
dred pounds, paid doson, and wondrous wealth in
prospective. We had such bell-ringng, and bon.
fires And poor Tom, in the midst Of his happi.
ness, gained my heart by wishing {" Master Walter
was here -
We'll done, Tom But about the Sinclairs.
mother I" said Walter somewhat impatiently
All, Walter, they have had much trouble since
you were here. About year ago Mr. Sinclair
died, leaving his wife and daughter, TO our sur
prise, in much pecuniary distress. Mrs Sinclair
was overwhelmed at first, but Amy, that noble girl,
what strength Of mind size showed 10 her sorrow
We must leave this house," said she to her moth
er we must part with all the elegancies, and
some of the comforts of life, and live in poverty
and secluson: yet let us stay here, dear mamma,
here in this village, where no eyes will look I'M
kindly on us in ur-altered circumstances" Her
mother was passive as a child and agreed to all that
she proposed; so a small cottage was taken, the
simplest articles Of furniture were moved into it
from the manor house, and Amy brought her moth.
er to her humble home. Poor girl have seen
her tears fail silently but how sadly as she pre-
pared the cotiagr for her mothers reception. Not
a word of complaint or repining, not an hour vast
ed in selfish grief yet one could see her heart was
aching. | did all | could to help her and she soon
made the cottage comfortable as so poor place
could be made. But there was something more to
be done. She found the pittance that remained
when her fathers debts were paid flor she insisted
on paying them ally was SO small as hardly to sui-
hce Tor the common necessarles of life. Mrs Sim
clair was in bad health, needing many little COM
forts that she had not means to procure. Again
Amy exerted herself. You remember her talent
for palnlingl"
Yes, Yes" replied Walter hurriedly, and with
emotion.
His mother was, perhaps too much interested in
the subject on which she speaking to observe
that his voice trembed, and the dusk OF evening
had prevented her seeing the agitation his coun-
tenance betrayed. She continued
WELL one month after Mr. Sincairs death,
went very early to the cottage, thinking if Amy
were up might see her alone, and do my best TO
cheer her. | knocked softly and she opened the
door, and led NE into her own little room. Her
drawing materials were on the table, and half fin.
ished miniature was with them.
"'You have been at work early, Amy, said I;
am glad to see you do not mean to forget your
charming accomplishment
She turned TO me with calm, steady look and
painting this for sale. have been told in happier
days that my miniatures were worth many guineas,
and now, dear Mrs Morton, she said smiling,
am going TO ascertain whether or no my friends
were flaterers. Do not tell my mother her mind
is weakened for the present, and she might be
troubled at the thought of my working for my
bread. i will be proud aud happy thought to
myself if ! can only succeed"
God bless her!" interrupted Walter; "and did
she succeedl'
Eyes. For her first picture she received TWEEN.
ty guineas. 1t beautiful sight to see her lay
The money before her mother and then throw her
arms about her. and sob on her bosom like child
1t was the only time ever saw her give way to her
feelings in her mothers presence"
| " And where is she now, mother 7" asked Wal
ter how does the noble creature live now 2"
" She has toed on with the same patient spirit
that supported her from the first. Look, Walter,
do you see light in that cottage window Thai
is Amy's home, and, probably, at this moment she
is sitting at her mothers feet weary with the abors
of the day, yet gentle, happy and aecionate. il
care was unknown TO her. She had been employ
ed as porIrait-painter by all the wealthy families
in the neiglborhood. Ny only fear is that she may
overlask her strength but she looks well and there
is an expression of contentment in her face that
makes her very lovely"
Lights were brought in and Mrs Morton chang.
ed the subject of conversation. But when she had
retired for the night, Walter stole softly forth, TO
lnger about the cottage where Amy dwell, and think
over all he had heard OF her conduct 1t has been
said that there is something not disagreeable to us
in the misfortunes of our best friends Il may be
So for certain il is that Walters meditation did not
end in sadness, though their subject was Amy Sin
clair and all her trials lie returned home at last