Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1852-01-21
HELEN CONWAY.

Once l found myself in large boarding
school. Around me were gathered more
than a hundred young girls, many of
whom we're Of my own age. / had been
placed there for other purposes than for
listening, or gazing the happy creatures
we're my companions-some Of them, dear
friends whom l love to this day, though
many years have elapsed since parted
from them, and some Of the best and
dearest of them are separated from me by
painless seas. was very young when l
was placed in their midst, and was hun
dreds of miles from the home of my
childhood it was not strange, then, that l
was lonely, and sick-hearted, for tasks
were set me which frightened and discour.
aged. thought that in all that assembly
no kindly beaming eye fell on the little
stranger, to cheer her with hopes Of hap
piness in the future. All around me were
hastily intent ON arrangements for them
selves for the opening term, or greetings
were being exchanged between the scholars,
separated during the long vacation, and
merry voices gave utterance to merry
hearts the very teachers seemed to speak
to others more winningly than to me.
At length my tasks were apportioned
me, and I was permitted to withdraw
The upper piazza Of the seminary over
looked many lovely little stream, which
cleaned before us a moment in the sun
shine, and then went singing its sweet
song through the shady woods which
skirted the village. Its beauty arrested
my g9ze, but not my thoughts; they were
too sad to be won by an appeal to the eye
only, and soon the tears came trickling
down my checks, aud sob told my wretch
edness At this moment a gentle step
"-""s..l me and an arm was passed over my
shoulder, and a gentle voice sand TO ur-
"Little friend, why DO you weep?
There is an old Arabic proverb which
says, running waters make the heart glad,
and can you look upon the merry brooklet,
and give way to sadness?" And then,
drawing me towards her, while she passed
her hand over my forehead, she continued ::
| ".what grief should thy years know
Thy brow aud cheek smooth as waters be
When no breath troubles them"
A beautiful face AS well as sweet voice
had the fair speaker. o, how | Afterwards
loved that face with its beautiful complex
ion, white forehead, dim with shadows Of
rich brown tresses with lis full ruby lips,
and, more than all, the large, dark, ear
nest eyes, from which l "drank in soul"
Helen Conway was then "just seventeen; =
she was above the usual height-some
called her too tall, but her head was SO
supcrbly moulded, her bearing so queenly,
every movement SO graceful, and this dig.
nifty was tempered with so rare spirit Of
most delicate mirth, that few, save the
envious, found her height at all detractine
from her perfection.
She was the only daugh ghter of an English
gentleman Of great reputed wealth, and sht
had but one brother, who was, in every
way, worthy Of Helen. They had beer
motherless for many years, but their fathel
had added the tenderness of the lost pa
rent, to the pride they were so wei! calcu
lated to inspirit in his bosom, and, Ger
taiuly, they were singalarly happy family
> The summer term passed quickly away
and We were busy in our preparations 70
the annual examination, when Helen VIA
, summoped to attend the death bed Of he
father. We heard from her through be
letters to one of the teachers. Her fatt
r er's illness had been partly the result
8 his anxiety on learning the loss Of hi
+ landed property, and on his dscease, h
e whole estate was learned to be insolven
y Heleu vas therefore unable to return
D school; she was resolved henceforth
}, sustain herself, and for that purpose mu'
u 70 among strangers !
It When another term brought US togetht
# again, l learned that Helen Conway, tn
J much against her brothers wishes, hs
o entered Lowell factory, as an operative,
supply herself with the means Of 6uishiI