The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1850-08-15

prietress of black or blue eyes nigh,
envy the expression in which those OF
the unpretending Mary were arrayed
Had her eyebrows been submitted to
the hyper-critic in beauty, he might,
probably. with his pencil, have given
them a more mathematical curve, but
he could not have impaired to them a
deeper shade; and would have utterly
marred the delicacy with which those
beautiful lines were traced by the hand
of Nature. The ravens wing was many
shades darker than her hair, but it was
not more glossy; and though her curls
were not arranged with the taste nor
decorated with the expense which dis
tinguish the ballroom, Nature had
compensated for the neglect of art by
making them perpetual, and imparting
to them the clustering luxuriance OF
the grape in. the vintage time. Her
ankle was not clothed in silk, nor were
her foot compressed in satin: such
adornmen!s could not have added to
the symmetry which the cotton hose,
and somewhat homely shoe, were una
BILE to conceal; and her fingers, as they
plucked the strawberries from their
green bank, were of the fairness and
delicacy Of the lily. There was no
bracelet on her arm II use the singu-
lar, for those decorations are now worn
upon one wrist only, like handcuff.-
1t had indeed been pity to have inter-
cepted that beautiful outline which
marked the finely moulded arm of the
rustic maiden.
There was nothing uncommon in the
circumstance of a village girl gather
ing the wild strawberry; and, but for
It's frequent recurrence il would not
have excited my particular attention.
Observing her, however, at the same
spot, and at the same employment, for
many successive days, ventured, upon
one occasion. TO inquire her motive for
an occupation whence she could derive
little profit, and which must necessarily
interfere with her domestic .luties.-
She replied, with some hesitation, that
she gathered them for sick person,
who could scarcely relish any thing
else; adding, that she feared she should
collect but few more, as she had nearly
exhausted the crop which grew upon
the bank. told her that she would
find abundance within the enclosure
and, presenting her with the key Of a
little wicket which opened into the
shrubbery, babe her avail herself of
the supply it afforded, whenever she
had occasion. She received the per-
mission, (which although not the pro-
prietcr, l was authorized to grant with
expressions of gratitude altogether dis
proportionate to the favor conferred, for
it would have been readily conceded to
any quiet and orderly person who had
chosen to solicit it. | frequently OBJ
served her availing herself of the op-
portuni:y thus afforded to her; on some
occasions could perceive her counten-
ance lit up by the indications Of hope
and confidence: whilst at other times.
it was pale, anxious, and detected: but,
whatever were her feelings, she did
not relax in the diligence with which
her charitable occupation was daily
resumed.
It once happened that had extend
ed my walk beyond its usual limits
1t was high noon. but a refreshing
breeze had sprung up. and sensibly
abated the STIFFNESS Of the day. The
place in which l was walking was
what is termed green lane; in other
words, a by-road, through which there
were so few passengers that il was
overgrown with grass, and almost as
even as a meadow. The hedge on
either side was high: being composed
of the maple tree. interpersed in great
abundance with the honey-suckle and
the wild rose, which loaded, with de-
lightful fragrance, the gale that swept
along the green avenue. The sound
of voices within few PAGES induced
me to look up, and | beheld, somewhat
to my surprise, the fair strawberry
gatherer with a gentleman who was
fashionably attired, and who appeared
to be leaning familiarly on the arm of
his beautiful companion. At the in
slant that observed them they stop
ped, ~ If hesitating whether to proceed
or to return. On approaching them
nearer, perceived that he was . very
young man, evidently in extremely i'll
health. and leaning in state Of great
debility and exhaustion upon poor Mary.
who, greatly alarmed and distressed,
was altogether unequal to the burthen
she attempted to sustain. ! immedi.
ately walked up to them, and assisted
in supporting him to her mothers cot
tage, which was fortunately, ut no
great distance from the spot. The poor
widow, upon our entrance, exhibited no
surprise At beholding her daughter in
such company, but expressed . lively
concern It the situation Of the invalid.
After having been seated for few
minutes, he Vas sufficiently recovered
to express his thanks, and 70 explain to
me the cause Of the embarrassment,
from which I had % opportunely ar-
rived to relieve him. II appeared that
he had taken apartments in the wid-
ow's cottage, in the hope Of benefitting
BY the change Of air, bot had, for some
days past, been almost . prisoner to his
room On that morning, however, be
fancied himself stronger, and towards
noon expressed IN anxious desire 70
wnlk ant. and as his sorvant had been