Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-02-17


had no occasion, as an excuse for taking q
| correct survey of the premises over the way
She enjoyed the felicity of beholdiug Albert Or
lando himself, in very spruce attire, waiting with
courteous smiles on old market-woman, and
apparently exerting much powerful eoquence in
the recommendation of a pair of coarse worsted
hose, which the dame was examining with eriti-
cal attention.. Had time permitted, Selma might
| have made other obServaton-for Albert was
wholly unconscious of her vicinty-but the
dread of losing her place in the mail compelled
her to hasten from the spot.
In due time she arrived at the end of her Jour.
ney, and in the course of six months exchanged
her lot of worse than Egyptian bondage.
for situation scarcely preferable in another ia.
mily.
There is no cure for romance so effectual as a
life OF constant mental exertion and daily morti-
fications-such as those to which the i'll treated
and oppressed class of females called private
governesses are subjected 1t is probable TINT
the high spirited Selma Stanfield mote than
once gave sigh to the remem brance of her first
love, and balanced against the genteeler miseries
OF spinsterhood and preceptress, the substantial
comforts she might have enjoyed as the wife of
Albert.
Seven years had revolved since, from the haber-
dasher's shop near Norwich market. pl ace, she
had enjoyedthe stolen prospect of a certain iu-
terestlng parsonage, and no second object
though Selma had. Notwithstanding her forlorn
situation, been wooed again and again-had sue
ceeded him in her heart; nor had she been for
tunate enough to find permanent home in any
of the families to whom she had, on various oc-,
casions, engaged her services as governess Nor
wlch itself was at length the place of her destna-
ton. She had made many exertions and some
sacrifices to conclude an engagement in that city
with lady, the education of whose infant fami-
ly she had Undertaken to conduct. The first
time she had occasion for pair of new gloves,
she made point of purchasing them at the
same shop which she had once before visited for
similar purpose; but in vain did she direct an anx-
ious glance to the opposite windows draper s
shop occupied the place of Fishers old establish
ed warehouse nor was that interesting name to
be found over any door in the neighbourhood.
This circumstance produced wonderful depres.
sion of spirits on the part of the fair Selma she
returned home in silence and doubt-ac certain feel
ing of delicacy and pride, which was natural to
her character, operating to prevent her from
making any inquiry of the haberdasher respec-
ting the disappearance of the name of Fisher
from his vicinity.
few days after this circumstance, the COVER
ness accompanied her pupils to the cathedral on
some civic festival, when the mayor and corpora
ton went thither in state to attend divine service.
On that morning. Selma had been somewhat
reused from her listless state of detection, by the
lively delight of her pupils at the anticipated
spectacle of witnessing the entrance of tho above
mentioned important personages, attired in their
scarlet robes and lilac silk scarfs
And only think, Miss Stanield,' said one of
the children, 'the mayor is not great old ugly
man, with wig on his head, like the old rights
in st. Andrews Hall, at which you laughed so
much when papa went to see them; but he is
a young mayor, with curling hair, and rosy
cheeks, and with great gold chain about his
neck
Yes and he is so good. natured, said another
OF the children; he always laughs, and tells US
nice funny stories when he comes to see papa;
and he is to drink tea with papa to morrow, and
then he will tell you story too, perhaps, if we
ask him.
Here the prattle of the little folks was inter-
rupted by the entrance of the procession. The
organ struck up, the macer, sword bearer, &c.,
preceded the right worshipfu chief magistrate to-
wards his stall. the aldermen and other members
of the corporation following with their accustom-
ed grace and dignity. Selma Stanfield was ANUS
ed at the novelty OF the scene, and interested in
watching its effect upon the countenances of the
little boys pulling her by the sleeve, whispering
Now, dear Miss Stanfeld, do look at the mayor,
for he is looking so much at you.' Selma mecha-
nicaly obeyed the injunction; and, in spite of the
gorgeous adornments of scarlet robes, gold
chains, &C., recognised the round blue eyes, and
good tempered, handsome face, of her first, her
only love Albert Orlando Fisher.
20 dear, Miss Stanfeld, I declare the mayor
himself has bowed to you, whispered the eldest
girl; but that, I suppose, was because you
were with US, for he cannot be acquainted with
you.'
The joyous glance of the faithful Albert assur-
ed Selma that the years of CARE and sorrow
which bad passed over her head since last they
met had neither banished her from his recollec-
ton, nor divorced her from his love.
But our fortunes are different at present.,
sighed she to herself: we parted in anger; was
in the wrong, and it is now his turn to indulge in
proud and scornful feelings
Proud and scornful feelings never formed
any part of Alber1s character: his affec-
tions were warm and kindly; and though
his love partook not of the nature of romance,
it was not on that account the less enduring and
sincere.
Our tale having already exceeded the pre-
scrlbed limits, we must disappoint the gentle
reader of the details of the interesting scene
which took place on the following day between
the worthy Albert Orlando Fisher and Selma
Stanfeld. Suffice it to say, that the latter, in
stead of envying the destiny of either pirates
or bandits bride, considered herself as one of
the happiest among women, when, at the next
civic festival, she presided in st. Andrews Hall
as mayoress of Norwich.
Z ONDON PORTER.-25 casks Hibbert's, in
II 4 sale nv