The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-12-09
fennIe seiGDevotedae-.
A SKETCH FROM REAL LIFE.

SKETCH FROM REAL LIFE,
Not very far from a cathedral town, in
one Of the midland counties. and on the
banks of broad and rapid river, there
stood iow-bullt white stone cottage, sur
rounded by colonnades and ,rellised work
whose tasteful garden, gay with brilliant and
varIegaied flowers and emerald lawn, sloped
down 10 the waters edge.
This cottage was inhabited by three. sis
tiers, the two eldest still retaining traces of
having been lowered in their youth with an
extreme beauty, which had left only faint
and shadOwy lustre behind: while the per.
iecE rePose Of expression, which characteri-
sed the ordinary features Of the youngest
lady, was as far removed from apathetc in
difference or lassitude of mind, as sulkiness
and discomfort from heavenly resignation.
The secluslOn in which these ladies passed
their lives had no mystery attached to il.
While al the same time ii was marked by
somewhat of romantic interest," indeed
many OF the townsiolk had learnt to regard
them much in the same light as nuns were
looked upon IN days Of yoTe, their religious
bias and charitable influence shedding a re-.
hected lustre on the domain and adjacent
lands.
The Misses Dynevor were the daughters
OF q deceased cathedral dignitary. Miss
hosabel, the second, had been betrothed
hVe-and-thirty years before 10 a gallant Off
Ger, who fell in the Peninsular war; this
shock completely Frustrated and shattered
her mind, and brought on a tedious illness.
during many years, the eldest sister. Miss
rlonbel, had devoted herself to the sufferer
with that devotion and patience which be
long to the affections and heroism of private
life; the minds Of both were sobered down
from youths giddiness by that which had
been mutual grief; and even when time.
the resIOrer and healer. progressed towards
cure, they looked on the world with diff
ferent eyes and different wishes from those
OF their early days.
Oa their fathers decease, determined to
seek retirement cOngenial to their habits
and wishes, and finding Fawns Home put
up for sale, they became the purchasers:
and here they had dwell for length of
lime IA mOnastic privacy. Their existence
passed IN a monotonous UNMARRIED routine;
and bat for the fact OF their domicile speak
ing TOR itself, and their old domestic and fac
totum Mr.. Matthew speaking for them.
they might have been forgotten by the world
around: Tor although their alms-deeds were
IudicIous and abundant, yet it was literally
true, as regarded them, that the right hand
knew not what the left did, And as the
almoner and dispenser of their bounties
the venerable MI. Matthew was as close
and stfct in observing secrecy as retainers /
imoued with no inOrdinate share of gossiping
ProPensities usual are. so the details which |
transPired only aroused and tempered with
curiosity without gratifying it.
The Misses Dynevor's nearest living rel.
alive was Paternal uncle. whose age did not
much exceed that of bis eldest niece. and
who, having made a fortune in the East
was now expected home, unmarried and
childless. The gossips of the cathedral
town had already decided that the ladies of
Fawns Home would be their uncle's CO. {
helresses and, thosgh no reason had ever ,
osen assigned Tor Miss Genevieve's sharing
her sisters seclusioE, there were two or {
three grayheaded individuals who slightly /
having heard mmors Of dis !
appointment in love, which had soured her !
she had never been like her C
elder sisters: they were gay and beautiful u
7oung women. while Genevieve, as a plain q
and noping girl, had evinced few traits like i
y TO gain her popularity or distinction.
But the peace and concord Of the retired 3
inmates Of Fawns Home was undisturbed /
~ conjecture or gossip: there affection and a
ever walked hand in hand e
Zach Sabbath morning comfortably avn P
d boat might be seen waiting beside their ST
arden steps, TO convey the ladies, with o.
heir domestics, to the point OF landing tt
Ieerest the cathedral, 10 which a short walk "
onducted them; and where, ensconced in "a
deeply-curtained pew, they were entirely d.
creened from observation. The occupants ir
the pleasure-boats, passing and repassing m
ms rlver-road, often saw the figures Of the oil
lEee sisters gliding amid the colonnades or hi
merging from the strawberries. Sometimes b.
hey appeared TO be busily employed in g.
ardentng; sometimes sauntering, book in de
ono, OF arm IN arm, engaged in converse: 1t.
FUNDS oil music foated across the wafer AT
'tervals; and in the summer evenings the "a,
Teet scent waited on the balmy breeze In,
ON the gardens Of Fawns Home. and ,be Va
slicious quletude pervading the place in,
mpted many idlers to resi- on their oars ms
lille they spoke in whispers, as If unwI he,
ne to disturb the serenity. Colonies orI
ng- birds seemed TO seek refuge here. and y,
g concert Of the groves was unique and -" AZ
.rfect while beneath the overhano;no uo'
'ughs, some graceful lawns might be seem any mo
,ndng on the rivers brink, playfully dart. he
8 away, or shaking their thirst with watch. sa1 S
glance. Intrusive visitors, in times gone ;n ~
, had often endeavored to penetrate with. ss
the pleasant precincts; but firm and VIC a