Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-03-30
/, Whole No. 927


Their several necessities, we will endcayor TO
enlghten the reader somewhat as to their rel
alive positions in the little drama before US.
! Mr. Ellis was native Of Philadelphia, the
dispenser Of large income, which he had dc
rived irvm his second wife, wealthy widow,
whom he had married some years after the
death Of his first Absorbed IN politics, and
for number Of years actually engaged in pub
IL lllc, he mingled very little in the domestic
circle, leaving his two daughters 10 the guid-
ance Of their s,epmother, woman whose slen-
der intellect by no means qualified her for 20
important charge. Mrs. Ellis was warm
hearted and good natnfed in the main, but ,io-
lent and obstinate when opposed. Weak,
oplnlonatcd, and narrow minded, she VAS fond
To excess ofdress and show, while her whole
life was spent in 4 routine Of busy nothings.
During The first years ofhor marriage the chill
dren were left very much 10 the mercy Of SER
wants and teachers, Mrs. Ellis cententng her
self with furnishing them plentifully with fine
clothes, and occasionally costly presents. But
as Eioily. who was four years older than her
sister, grew into womanhood, she began 10
take more active interest in them. Emily
was growing up beautiful gill, and though
far inferior IN capacity to her younger sister,
as her tastes aud pursuits were congemal with
her stepmother's, she became a decided favor
lte with her, Notwithstanding some symptoms
of independence and selfwill which occasion.
ally showed themselves
Sophy, on the other hand, fell far into the
shadow Of her mothers favor. From the com
mcncemcnt of Mrs. ElIs's interference in their
pursuits and conduct, Sophy had never been
able TO accommodate herself To her wishes -
The child was quick and shrewd, and soon
learned 10 fathOm all the weakness Of Mrs. FL
lis 5 character, and with the presumption Of
precocous childhood, she decided that she
coald not be guide for her The consequence
of this conviction, was a system Of perpetual
warfare between the two. Sophy began TO
nOurish contempt for all the conventional re-
fnemens which her stepmolher laid so much
stress upon and to take q pleasure in violating
them; while Mrs. Ellis with the petty tyran-
ny OF a weak woman enforced with Injustice
The rules which she had determined Ia carry
out The result of This we have seen, IN the
interview just Decentralization and disrc-
spect on one side, impotent rage and undigni-
fled conduct on the other.
Rober, Ashleigh was the nephew Of Mrs. f.
lis first husband, 70 whom, al the dcalh of
Mrs Ellis, the whole of her large fortune MS
to descend With a sentiment that did her
honor. Mrs. Ellis cherished strong regard
for her late husband 5 young relative, and, by
her attention and kindness 10 Ashleigh, stro'e
to exhibit the warmth Of her gratitude 10 him
whose watchiIl care had followed her beyond
the grave. Amid the schemes which filed
Mrs E.llis's mind was one which lay very
near her heart. This was 10 bring about
matrimonial alliance between Robert and her
fayorte Emily, by that means to draw closer
the tc Which bound him 10 her, and. Of the
same time, TO secure, IN her own family, The
large property which would revert TO HIM at
her death. She had However, womanly tact
enough not 10 hint her wishes to either party
hut encouraged Ashlclgh's visits, and admit
ted him into her family, on such footing as 10
allow him every opportunity Of falling III love
if so disposed.
Robert Ashlaigh was some four or FIVE years
older than Emily, and at the time Of Mrs. FL
lis marriat,, while pursuing his studies in a
law-oGce, lac took very little notice Of The we'll
behaved little Miss, who ate her rice-pudding
occasionally beside him al his aunt wcll
spread table but as years went by, and Emi-
ly beauty developed itself he became more
observant. Time, which .lad expanded her
into beautiful woman, had matured him, a
dreaming youth, into an active. thinking man.
During the summer months, the Ellis family
usually retired to Their country seat, a few
lllu's lIblll lINU. dNh ll'lts III IuISudh't VI
Mrs lIlns plan, Ashlcigh was considered a
regular gucst-ROberi's scat al the table, and
Robert room, being as universally respected
and acknowledged as those Of any member Of
the family. Heretofore, however, these priv
ileGcs did not seem to have been very highly
v; lued, and It was not until the present sum
.ner that hope began 10 whisper in Mrs. EIlIs's
heart. Robert had devoted himself very ob'i-
ously, during the latter part of The pas, winter,
to Emily, and when the regular summer lny,-
taion came, he accepted II Immediately, and
left them only occasionally for short periods
Mrs. Fills watched the young people closely,
and WIS rcjOlced To perceive thai Emily Was
by no means .ndlspCsed TO be as sentimental az
Nh Ashleigh might desire.
Nothing is more scIselcss, and yet so com
mon, rs the wise tone censure adopted hy lcO-
pie. III d!latng upon the vanity Of Women, and
their love of admiration so long as women
see and ttai that mere external beauty is suff-
cicni To cnchan the Wisesi and most exalted of
the other scx SO long will they prize, strive for,
aud cultivate, AT the expense of more eslma-
'e qualities, that which they know TO be ther
onghold. The example before Us illustrates
cse remarks. Emily Ellis was, in truth, a
shallow, designing girl, with very little feel
ing but Ler beauty, and the good huEor u,u-
ally engcndcrcd by scll-complaccncy, won for
her popularity abroad, importance at home, and
the regard Of man Of mind, high principles,
and warm affections.
Heretofore, though on terms Of familiar 10.
timacy with the family, Aslleiehs : mind had
been little occupied by them; but, since tie
spell cast upon him by Emlly's attractions,
his interest decpcned in all that concerned
them, aud it was under the influence Of these
feelings, that h. had spoken TO Sophy, as, le
believed a bror would have done. Aiier
The scene descrIs :, however, and when left
alone, Ashlcph felt some regret al the tone
Of harshue,s which his rcmonstrsnccs with las
ltte kinsvoman had assumed. The strorg
and impeiuous feeling exhibited by the child,
her bcitcI sense OF iuJLstice, though maIkLd
By unresrainod temper, surprised, and, at the
same time, Interested him, and he now ques-
Toned, whether more soothing, genie c0uIse
would not have been tho wiser plan To adopt.
Wih a sensitive mind, ripoued far bcyord
her years, c,Cy word thai hshleifh Lad
spoken during that painful scene, fastened up
IN Sophys memory, thcrc 10 rrrn, ard bring
frh l,s fruits ofgood OF evil. Her prido, as
well rs the scnsiuy,nrss peculiar to eiiis q her
ape. rcyoted at thus being chcoCd by one OF