Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1851-07-18


charge of her duties She was favoritc with
every one in the worh-room, and many of them
came to her as friend and counsellor in their
trials and discouragcmcnts. She possessed
Mrs. Hills unbounded confidence, and the re-
spect of those whose good opinion was worth
caring for.
She was older now-far older in appearance
than years. There was n gentle thourhttul-
ness in her face that made her more lovely than
ever. DIR. Howard declared; and Mary, now
settled i'll her own happy home, and Mary's
husband, regarded her as "a dear friend and sis
ter.
Finally. Mrs. HIPS long talked of rcsolu-
ton to give up the business was put into effect
and every one seemed to consider it exactly
right and proper that Miss Burton should sue
ceed her and thus, five years from the time
she first entered the establishment, she became
It's head-an active, energetic woman of busi-
ness.
In these days of constant discussion upon the
rights and duties of women, am afraid my
heroine has lost favor in the eyes of those op-
posed to so called social reforms, by my last
assertion. But Lucy Burton had not stepped
out OF her sphere in the prosecution of her
scheme. There was nothing course or bust
Ting in her activity; western merchants invol-
UNFAIRLY took off their hats on entering her pres
ence, and fashionable ladies were for once in
their lives, civil to "a shop-woman.'
There is nothing in promptitudc and regu-
larty Of accounts inconsistent with good breed
ing, nor do taste and the ability to make it
available border upon masculine assumpton-
No one would have dreamed of inviting her to
address 'Womun's Rights Convention tho
she had her accounts at bank, and with many
tlourishng French Importer.
Nor do we mean to say that this firmncss and
dignity of character were achieved at once or
without many a hear-burning, many Struggle
with herself, and ottcntimcs fearful dcsponden-
cy. But then there was the bright side of the
picture prosperity attending all their plans,
health, pleasant intercourse with few dear
friends, and, withal, that peace which the
world cnnnoi give She was now able to place
Grace at an excellent school, where her COM
panlons gave new interest and variety to the
Young girls life; and the thought of sister
Lucy's self dcnal,' which she now began to
appreciate, and the appreciation which awaited
her quickened ambition and excited industry
Willie had assumed, with hearty zeal, the place
vacated by George in the counting house, while
the student took up his books again, with far
more resolution and success than II he had ncv-
er been parted from them.
So we leave the family, five years from their
fathers DEATH to meet again when tive-yea,
fifteen years more have flown.
1t is in the cid parlor of her early home that
we find Lucy Burton once more. Still Lucy
Burton, though her fair hair is not so abundant
and her figure has long since lost the grace and
sleuderness of grlhood 1t was dreary au-
tumn evening without, but all within was peace
and happiness. The room was plainly but taste
fully furnished a heaped up fire was glowing
through the bars of the CRATE: and the soft
spell of the red twilight brought dreams Of the
past too muser at the tircsdc.
1t was her birthday. Thirty nine years
since, she came TO be a well prIng of pleasure
in that very house. She looked around the
room; it was associated with her first recol-
Iections. How she had bounded through the
door when her fathers footsteps sounded in the
hall; had sat at her mothers feet and wondered
at the baby beauty of her little brother But
the scenes grew darker as they came before
her eyes; and then she turned to the long, long
years she had been eXiled thence. How could
she ever be thankful enough for the kind, watch.
full care that had led her to the fulhlment OF
her dearest earthly wishes? The prosperity
which had enabled her SO recently to restore
lnelT InOlneT 10 neT Olu nome tlle happiness OF
Grace, now the wife of one she loved as
brother Willie's patient genteness. when that
sad illness checked all his hopes and made him
a sufferer for life; and the wonderful success
of George no had also realized many g. day.
dream.--llow could she ever be thankful
enough? And if | have trials still in store,
she thought, still direct my path But what
trial could come?
Was there no unsatsfied warnings in her
heart ?--Ho wish for closer sympathy than that
of mother or sister ?-no regret for what migll
have beer?
True, society was open to her now. She
was wooed where she bad once met insult for
It was said she had won not only competence.
but fortune; and that was magic where her
beauty of character and intelligence had not
prevailed. And she had the gift to love her
friends and to distinguish between the tares
and the wheat in the great field of the world.
She was happy IN knowing that she had won
much true sympathy. But was there not IA
dearness wanting to that earnest, aittctionae
heart
What thought brought that growing mist he .
fore her ewes, as her hand shaded them tiom
the freight? All, 1t was here also that she
had known her first and last ove.lream. There