Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-09-25
miscellaneous.
Lady Jane ::
A Story mot Founded ON Fact, but all Fact
BY LAURIE TODD.

The incident alluded to occurred about the
beginning of the 18th century. My grandfather
was personally known to the parties. He and
my father often told the story in my hearing,
sevety five years ago and after.
The Earl of Wigton had three daughters,
named Lady Frances, Grsel, and Jane, the lat
ter being the youngest by several years, and by
many degrees the most beautiful. The two eld-
est were permitted to attend their father in Ed
inburg, in order that they might have chance
Of obtaining lovers at the court held there by
the Duke of Lauderdale, while Lady Jane was
kept constantly at home, lest her superior beauty
might interfere with and foil the attractions of
her sisters. 1t may easily be imagined that La
dy Jane spent no pleasant life, shut up, as it
were-in splendid palace to be sure-but hav-
ing no company except her old cross mother
and the servants. She was so very beautiful
her parents were afraid that any gentleman
should see her, and so take the shine off her sis
tiers, who were rather homely- looking, and older
by eight or ten years. Jane was now in her,
18th year.
At the period when our history opens, Lady
James charms, although never seen in Edinburg,
had begun to make some noise there. A young
gentleman one day passing the garden, saw an
angel picking strawberries. After gazing till he
saw her retreat under the guns of her fathers
castle, he inquired among the cottagers and
learned it was Jane, the youngest daughter of
Lord Wigton. He rode on and reported the
matter in the capital. The young gallants
about the court were taken by surprise; no one
ever heard of Lord Wigton having a third daugh-
ter. These reports induced Lord Wigton to
confne her ladyship more strictly; he sent an
express to his wife directing her to have Jane
confined to the precincts Of the house and gar.
den, and also to be attended by trusty female
servant. The consequence was, that the young
Lady complained most piteously to her mother
of the tedium and lisless Of her life, and wished
with all her heart that she was as ugly, as old
and as happy as her sisters.
Lord Wigton was not insensible to the cruelt
of his policy, as he loved his beautiful daughte
more than either of the others he therefor
felt anxious to alleviate, in some measure, tn
disagreeableness Of her solitary confinement
Knowing her to be fond of music, he sent her
Theorbo, with which he thought she wonld b
able to amuse herself in way very much to he
mind, not considering that as she could not pla
upon the instrument, it would be little better t
her than an unmeaning toy. By return of tn
messenger, she sent a very affectonate letter I
her father, thanking him for the instrument, an
begged him to send some person who woul
teach her to play upon it.
The gentry of Scotland, at this period, wer
in the habit Of engaging private teachers IN the
families. A few days after the receipt of h
daughters letter, young man applied to HI
father for employment. He was a tall, hant
some youth, apparently about twenty-five year
Of age. After several questions his lordshi
was satisfied that he was just the person ho war
ted, as with other accomplishments he was q
expert player on the Theorbo.
The next day saw Richard This name wa
Richard Livingstone,) on the road to Wlgto
palace, bearing letter from the father to h
daughter Jane, setting forth the qualities of til
young man, and hoping she would now be bel
ter centented with her present residence.
1t was Lady James practice every day to tax
walk, prescribed by her father, in the garde
Hyhtpb Oooau;o0s h.
self acting according to her husbands order
when she ordered Richard to attend his Dun
This arrangement was exceedingly agreeab
to Lady Jane, as they sometimes took out 4
Theorbo, and added music to the other peasur
of the walk.
However, to make long story short, it wor
have been new problem in nature could the
young people have escaped from falling
love. They were constantly together, no CO
pany frequented the house, the mother was
and infrm, and perfectly satisfied when
knew Lady Jane was within the limits prescr
ed by her father.
Lady Jane was now in her eighteenth ye
and probably had never conversed with I
man having the education and polish of G
tleman. Although Richard had not told
tale of love, his genteel department, handsO
person, and certain sort of attentions which
only can dictate, had won her heart before
knew it. Her only fear now was, that she mi
betray herself; and the more she admired,
more reserved she became towards him.