The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-07-14
Susan Oliphant.
A TRUE TALE.

At one end of village near the cele-
brated Falls of the Clyde, and close on
the rivers brink, was situated, some
years ago, neat cottage. 1t could not,
from its size, be the villa of a gentleman.
yet it wore a superior look to the dwell
lings in the ighborhood. Surrounded
by garden and orchard, the exterior of
this cottage dwelling spoke of modest
plenty and humble contentment nor
did its interior disappoint the opinion
formed of it. Its inmates were man,
now descending into the vale of years,
yet hale and vigorous his wife, past
middle age and lovely girl, their only
child James Oliphant was by profes-
sion gardener; but though his fruit
trees yielded abundantly, and his flowers
and his vegetables were the finest in the
neighborhood though his wifes dairy
was the incest, and her cream and but
ter the sweetest. yet could not their ap-
parent means of livelihood account for
the many comforts, and even luxurics,
which we're to be found in their cottage ;
and. indeed. there was no reason for con-
cealing the fact, so much to Oliphant's
credit, that. having been gardener many
years to an English nobleman. the latter,
at his death, left him an annuity. which,
though small, being husbandcd with fru-
galitv, and seconded by industry, went a
great way. Jamess wifewa an English
woman, and this will account for the air
of order. cleanliness, and comfort in and
around their little abode for, though
we would not be harsh on our country
women, who does not know the things in
tended by these expressions are only
known in perfection in the dwelling of
the English peasant ? Mrs Oliphant was
somewhat arbitrary, and very reserved.
She liked to rule without giving reasons
for her conduct yet she ruled so we'll
and was so active and attentive to all her
duties, that she merited neither unkind
ness nor rcproof, and the voice of discord
was never heard in their labitation
where each knew and performed then
own part, for the benefit of the whole
1t was true the girl Susan, with her fine
forehead and sunny smile, and the deptl
of feeling in her dark blue eyes, some
times longed for more cheerful society
than that of her parents, or more un
reserved and congenial mind than hel
mothers, to which to pour forth all 1T
longings, all its aspirations. 1t woulC
+ appear they wished her to receive an ed
ucation and breeding somewhat superior
to what cottage girl might require. fo
she was exempted by her mother from
any part in the menial Offices of the lit
tie household and from a desire to ex
clude her from the contamination of low
companionship. her father was her onl,
instructor; but be was well educated
intelligent man. as many of his class ar,
known to be in Scotland, so he was quit,
competent to direct his child's carly ed
ucation,-She was always dressed, too
with lady-like simplicity, equally re
mote from coarse plainness and Haunting
vulgarity and her own little room wa'
adorned with care, and furnished will
books of an elegant literature Allowed
to choose, in great measure, her owl
employment. she loved to tend the ricl
flowers her fathers care produced fol
her, to listen to the happy notes of bird
among the fruit trees but, above all
to wander on the banks of the Clyde
with some improving books, from whost
silent but eloquent companionship the
tone of her mind and feelings was insen
sibly raised to high communing and
graceful thoughts, which again diffused {
charm over her daily department, hardly
to be expected from her rank in life
, Treated thus with lavish indulgence
without care or sorrow, what could
our heroine desire more for happiness
But yet, somehow, she enyied the fonC
caresses and unrestrained interchange o
feeling and affection which she had wit
messed in poorsf dwellings than theirs
She wished her mother were not so dis
tant, and that she were invited to put hei
arms around her fathers neck, when she
had repeated to him her daily task but
such were not their winning ways; 81
she locked the loving emotions of her
heart the closer in that pure sanctuary
and contented herself with returning hel
dear parents Kindness by devoted meek
ness, and dutiful obedience to all theii
wishes. ''Ae ri Yer - i-'S
Thus passed Susan's childhood and
early youth. When yerging, however
on womanhood, she earnestly sought y
be allowed to go to the school of the ad
joining parish, not SO much to seek soci
ETY., as to acquire some. branches Of use
full knowledge which her father was no
competent to impart, After short de
murring, and private consultation, he
father and mother consented Eager I,
improve, the ardent girl pursued dill
gently and successfully the studies point
ed out TO her but ere many month
had elapsed, a sudden stroke compelle'
the nged teacher to call to his assistanc
a clever young man, the son of an earl.
| friend, who was studying for the cburcl
and xyho xuiohad 70 fll nm HE late,rra h.