Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-03-30
Fran Cody's Laty's Book
SOPHY.-.A TALE.
BY MISS META NJ. DUNCAN.

| with book in his hand the oppressive hours
of long summer morning. The small apart.
inent, which he occupied, communicated with
large oidfashioned summer parlor, the win
dows Of which We reopen TO the floor, and led Ia
beautiful lawn, overlooking Il wild but lovely
andscapebeyond. From this room the sounds
proceeded, which had aroused his attention
and as they grew louder, he arose ald passed
through the half open door to investigate the
cause of tins annoyance. In the middle of the
! room stood rather stout oyer-dressed lady.
! past the prime of life, whose countenance Was
inflamed by the anger which had elevated her
voice. Fronting her was young girl ofabout
! fifteen years, whose flushed cheeks and air oi
defiance, proved that she was undergoing, not
without resistance, severe rebukc lleI pro-
fuse golden hair fell tangled and dsordered
abOat her face and neck, and her muslin cape
was twisted all awry. In one hand she held
an old straw bonnet, in the other basket con-
tanning books while over her arm hung. N
full view, a pair Of most suspicious looking
stockings. BY very natural process OF
thought, the young intrudcrs attention was
directed downward, where bare, and very
white little foot, hastily thrust into shoe of
questionable cleanliness, peeped out from be-
meath draggled skirt
\ The lady back was turned as Robert Ash
leigh paused at the door, but q quick glance Of
the eye, and varying expression of the cOun-
tenance, showed that the child marked his ap-
prOach, which, however, did not prevent her
answering in tones of passionate defiance, the
torrent Of fierce and angry lnyectlve which her
sepmOther--ior in tins relation she stood to
her-poured upon her. There was an intense
ness of feeling, precision, and force Of ex-
preston IN her language, as she rapidly and
Indignantly retorted upon her companion, and
replied to her charges, that surprised, as well
as panied AshleIgh for, young as she was il
was evident tha, all the superiority which mind
gives, was upon her side. The whole scene
shocked Ashieigh, while, at tho same time,
his feelings were naturally enlisted in favor Of
one, whose years, whose relationship TO him
self commanded his sympathy.
/ "My dear aunt" he said, stepping forward,
:" what is the matter! Sophy, am sorry to
see this ~
\ " Sorry" exclaimed the lady angrily, draw
ing erselfup you may well be sorry Such
dlsobedieht, ungrateiul girl is enough to bring
sorrow into any house ~
! What has happened -
/ "Why, what happens every day Instead
of attending to her studies, her music, her sew
country and follow her own wiiul and unlady-
like pursuits"
:" 1t is not true :" said the child passionate
ly.
Il have not neglected my music, my stud
les, a single day since we came INTO the coun-
try
"Nor your sewing, miss'" said the lady,
tauntlngly.
"The sewing, acknowledge, neglect"
replied the child for you have no rgh, TO
burden me with such heavy tasks. D!sob"-
dienl ! may be for you have rendered obedience
impossbc lngrateiul cannot be .as you have
never given me cause for gratitude and for
my pursuits" She continued, lowering her
voice, and comprcssing her lips, /" think them
as ladyke as any have an example Of"
"And pray, miss, said Mrs. Ellis, " do
YOU call your last exploit which ! have ju.t
witnessed from my window, an example of
your lady like propensiucs! ! am certain. Rob
crt, turning to Ashleigh, " that you will
quit me of injustice, when | assure YOU, that
SAW Sophv, not ten minutes ago, deliberate
pull oil her shoes and stockings, and with her
petticoats tucked up, wade across the creek ~
The color deepcned IN he young RI face,
and an expression ot hunor fitted momcnta.
ly ?cross her cOuntenance, tins relation pr
ded but she replied immediately, " ncy
waded the creek before, aud J should not have
one II to-day if had had any other way to
Oss. The bridge ls broken, and ] did 70
Cloose 20 go mile round ; but added 81 q
quickly, raising her large violet eyos-the anger
which had lately filled them, now replaced by
a VIVID expression of delight" wll no
promise not TO do It again, for | never enjoyed
myself so much IN nv hlc. -
" You see, SAID Mr.. Ellis, expanding her
hands expressiyeIy, " she Is perfectly lnco,1i i
bic - and she swept out of the room ia l.,
most dgnlfed manner, saying" our father
shall hear ofthis, miss"
For a few moments after the departur, of
Mrs. Ellis, Sophy stood motionless her G. IN
resting upon her bo IN, and her eyes down
cast. Her companion looked at her for little
while, and Thea said, in grave voice" So
ply, Is this right"
The child IA ed her eyes TO his face, with
look of surprise, Dut the next moment her ex-
preston changed and she said, quickly -
What do you think ~
Thus called upon. Ashlcigh did not hesitate
to SPEAK to her with the liankucss winch he
thought she required. lis manner was grave,
and his tone serious. lie expressed his sur
prise, his pain, inbcholding the terms on which
she lived with her stepmother. lie spoke,
with strong dispcasurc, Of her dsryspcct to
one whose years aud position, as her fathers
wife, entitled her at least 10 the decent forms
of respect and while he touched with feeling
upon the eylconscqucnces which such a course
must entail upon all connected with her, he
advcrled ieelingly 10 the higher and more sol
cam obligation which she was violating. He
dId not attempt 10 conceal his sense OF Mrs.
Ellls's defects of character, but dwelt upon her
kindness of heart, her generosity, and her
many excellent qualities, all Of which, he said,
were inducements to one who herself Poss' s.
eel an excellent understanding, TO exercise for
bearlnce and gto1 feeling.
Sophy listened to these circumstances wliha
flushed check and swelling heart, and u WAS
evident thai she was preparing To defend her
self, but ere ho ceased, she bad changed he.
mind, lai throwing up her head with move
mcnt Of haughliness, she s3id--" Thank you,
Mr.. Ashlcigh Idare hay you mean 10 bc kind
and lci, the room.