Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-03-09
The Dressmaker's Apprentice,
R, TnE pAcnELoR AT HOME AND ABRoAD


"Cnn you tell me the name Of that beau
tiful girl who has Just been dancing with
Frank Ashton p said Robert Lans0n, to
gentleman by the name OF Sutherland, who
stood next 10 him at one Of the most bril-.
liam, parties there had been for the season.
"Her name is Edith Eldon," replied Suth-
erland, land she is an helress as well as a
beauty"
"She is really the prettiest girl ever
saw" said Lanson, 81 must obtain an intro.
duction 10 her." aud as he finished speak
ing, he lef, Sutherland in order TO execute
his intention.
Sutherland followed him with his eyes,
and unconsciously murmured few words
his lips. TO one not thoroughly acquainted
with Lanson, the reason Of this would have
been difficult to determine for few gentle
men were more literally endowed with per-
sonal attractions than Lanson. Besides,
though not over six and twenty, he had, by
his talents and industry secured an extern
sive and lucrative practice as lawyer. He
had, moreover, recently come into posses
sion Of a very handsome estate.
Lanson obtained the introduction he
sought and set himself seriously TO work TO
win the fascinating heiress. She did not
seem Insensible 10 his assiduous attentions,
for her color would sometimes deepen when
he suddenly entered her presence and her
eyes often yelled themselves beneath their
long, thick lashes when he adressed her.
One lovely evening there was large par.
~ at Mr. Summers. The air OF the crowd
ed rooms had become warm and oppressive.
and Edith s,epped into balcony. so filed
with tall Towering plants as 10 entirely
screen her from view. She wished TO com.
mupe with her own heart for she was no,
unconscious that she was becominu deepIy
Interested in Ianson Sb. sooo hec,me
aware ,ba, there were ,ersons conver,;no
,ooe,ber near m. door Of The hsIronys
thougb size was too much eoa,ossed win
her own thoughts 10 mind whoi was aid I'M
a, leng,h the name of Ianson frll op hcr
ear. This had the effect n, once 10 ares,
her attention
"Csn This he ,rue ," were the ne,, aords
which Edith heard
81 have bu, ,oo good reasons in heHeye
,b,, !, ;.u renl;ad yo;ce which an. Lro,,
10 be Su,herlands.
"Lanson Is the last personn said hi.
companinu "whom I should have ,boush,
ouil,y IF an much me,nness .Iw.vs Pm.
sqined ina, he was one of the most gener.
Gus hearted fellows in existence"
"Ono whose be,,,.wo,sh;n L,s FL ri.
always been lavished upon msmmou and nj,
own dear self. can noiihor ba generous or
noble hearted. II he assume the semblancc
Of either, il must be from interested mo-
,ivrs. His sister. who from being the ed-
est of large family, while he is the young
est, is quite old enough TO be his mother,
keeps his house, and performs as much la
Dor as two servants ought TO, and, what is
worse, is treated by him as mere under
hing"
why does she submit to be treated
thus =
lie gives her home, which ! suppose
she thinks is better than 10 be cast upon the
world at her time Of life, for she is entirely
destitute OF property. Besides, have heard
II suggested that she really irnsgnes herself
inferior to him, and therefore, submits TO his
capriccs and exactions with the greatest pos
sibie neekness, and does not even seem
to know that she has any cause oil COM
plant"
"And can Miss Eldon know any thing OF
'hisF
u suspect not" replied Sutherland.
Would 1t not be right to give her hint
OF II"
IAN things considered, should say no.
interference IN such cases usually produces
an elect opposite 10 "hat was intended. IL
VIII undoubtedly be the more Jnd'clous way
to let things take their own course.
IL was impossible Tor Edith not TO over
hear tins conversation, and the unamlable
light IN which u placed Lanson, gave her
more pain than fifteen minutes before she
could have willingly imagined. As she
knew on what slight grounds reports disad-
yaniageous TO persons character are FREE
quenily based. she at once came 10 deter
minatlon TO satisfy herself as TO the validity
OF the charges against Lanson, TO which she
had just been an involuntary listener. A.
soon as Sutherland aud his companion had
Withdrawn from its vicinity, she took the
first opportunity 10 leave the balcony. She
soon afterwards met Lanson, who was evi'
IDENTIFY seeking her. His manner towards
her, from the tirsi, had been marked with
the greatest delicacy, trait which canno'