The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-09-23
From Gleason's Pictorial.
The Village Milliner:
OR,
CHANGINGPLACES INTHE WORLD.
BY GEORGE CANNING HILL.
CHAPTER I.
BY GEORGE CANNING HILL.

In a pleasant inland village, which
shall call Broadbrook, and whose singl
street, with its narrow rows of house OF
either side, comprised nearly the Who'll
place, lights were cleaning from tw'
different houses-each On the opposite
side Of the street from the other.
1t was evening in midsummer, darl
rainy and excessively trying to pedes
trians. The entire day had worn I
threatening look and at sunset the
gathering rain discharged itself in free
fo',ds. Carriages were driving anc
splashing through the mud in this direc
ton and the other.
On one side numerous lights shon'
from mansion, that seemed people,
from root-tree to fountain stone. The,
threw their bright flashes far out int
the streets and Illuminated trees, bushes
fences, walks and pools. On the other
the light was only from single flame,
which glmmered, rather than CLEANED,
against the almost impcnetrable bank OF
darkness without.
The former proceeded from the house
of Mr.. Julian lngleton. 1t was an ex-
tremely fine building, in comparison
with those of the country round, stand.
ing back from the streets on elevated
ground, and surrounded winding walks,
miniature lawns, and dense shrubbely
The owner of it, in fact, was estimated
the richest man in all the village. He
had not resided there long time, hav-
ing removed from distant city, intend
ing there to pass the remainder of his
days. His entire family consisted of
his wife and daughter named Mary.
The occasion of the glaring and
cleaning, and flashing of the lights in
the house of Mr.. Ingleton, on the eve
ming in question, was social entertain
IN mt, made by Miss Mary, on the return
of her birth day.
The rooms were fast filling up with
invited guests, very many of them from
other towns, and even from far-off cities.
All the families with which the Ingletons
had ever had any acquaintance before
residing in Broadbrook, were severaly
charged to be present at the joyous re-
union.
The young girl herself stood among
them picture of beauty. She was clad
in dress of simple white, which greatly
set off the rich red and white of her
beautiful uplexion. She was the OBJ
served and admired of all. Her mother
regarded her with peculiar feelings Of
pride and satisfaction, and watched
auxiously and eagerly for every symp-
tom of partiality that might be extended
to her by any of her guests.
Her hair was braided in broad plaits
across her temples; and being naturally
of raven hue, it looked exceedingly
plentiful and mas>y. Her face was uf-
fused with the richest and deepest of
bushes. Her lips were rich, ripe, and
ruby; and one would have thought they
could have been the channel for only
the sweetest of fancies, feelings, and
words The expression of her features
though on the whole not remarkable for
sweetness, humility, or fervent affection,
yet was stamped generally by such
marks as those traits leave behind them
on the human countenance. Less than
a physiognomist would have said that
there was an abundance of pride con-
ccaled-and not altogether concealed,
either-beneath that expression.
The scene in the parlor, drawing
room, and hall, was cnlivening in the
extreme. 1t brought fresh color TO
the cheeks Of the doting mother, and
accelerated the flow of blood about the
glad heart of the father. Cotcries of
beauty, and knots of bright glanccs,
were everywhere to be seen there. And
merry voices-laughter, wit, and gaiety,
were uppermost throughout the apart
ments.
Occasionally, too, tn, fragments of a
song fell on the ear above all the rest,
as if music had been shivering in a
thousand brilliant globules, and all were
sailing strangely over the heads Of the
guests.
Such was the scene where the numer-
Gus lights were to be seen on the mid
summer evening we have named.
Let US now turn to take view Of the