The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1853-05-17


ing naturally and glstening with lustre almost
faintly metallic, like tarnishcd gold wire.o Add
to these skin, not snow white certainly. but of
a clear living white, couded by a flush Of health
ON either round cheek,-a high spotless fore
head small thin car, pierced by slender goll
ring.-and hand whose beauty not even tho
labor of factory could deform, and If you
have ANYTHING of an active fancy, you may form
in your mind likeness of fair Cheeny Gran.
ton.
But II was not in personal excellence alone
she stood out among her mates. She was q
very clever girl, end her page in the library
ro-book bore testimony both TO the extent
and nature of reading. An ardent love OF the
poetry of Byron, Burns, and Moore, was,
strangely enough its distinguishing character
istic, and the continued perusal of this dcscrip-
ton Of writing must have no little effect in
bringing about the events Of this nara,ive.-
Her moral character was uncxceptionable her
disposition lamaiablc, though about her lip there
lurked tho trace of naughty smile, and about
her voice slight tone of condescision, which,
however those who were l,abituated TO her did
not perceive. II was possible. too, occasional
'ly to detect in her mind evidence of deep,
all potent enthusiasm. similar to that ofnher
mother, which seemed to require an object TO
be called into vigorous life and light. But it.
was certainly not religious; for, though, she
loved her mother with an engrossing affection,
she followed her tenets with what seemed re-
spectfnl filial acquiescence, not faith. Such a
being as this could hardly exist in any ploce
without exciting around her the passions OF
admiration. love. envy, and hatred, in their
most violent forms. She was marked girl
about Westwater Some wero extravagantly
fond and proud her, others hated her bitter
l.. of
feeling, both by word and deed She thought
herself lady they said, and would take the
shortest way to become one.| But all these
insinua,ons Jane took with quiet smile, as
things that were to be expected.
Lovers she had in abundance: indeed every
young nan in the place had some pretentions
10 this character. For some of them she ap-
pcared to entertain very friendly feelings; tho
when their attentions became urgent, she
could not conceal her annoyance. There was
one, however, evidently more favored than the
rest This was young man of the namo of
Williams. who for two years or more, had held
the situation of teaching at Wcstwater. He
was pale studious, anxious looking young
person, OF some talent. He had been connec-
ted in an inferior way with ancwspnper-oficc
in the largo city at first alluded to, and from
that situation had heen transferred 10 the one
he held. But his crowning advantage was,
that he professod ardently, and believe sin
cerely, the same views Of religion rs Mrs. Gran
ton and they used to spend hours together Of
evenings in the performance Of their peculiar
rites of worship With her he was oil in ALL
and her daughter certainly had great regard
for him. But still thought | could see that
this regard what myself would not have been
content with in similar circumstances:l was
particularly strl'ck with this thought Few days
after my arrival.
II was n beautiful evening. early the sum-
mcr, and was taking a solitary walk mp the
bank Of the stream TO place called the grove
about mile or more above the factory. where
there was q large reservoir, with an extensive
system of locks and sluiees. From its lonely
and romantic character This had always been
my favorte walk and here was met by the
so-calIed lovers. They were moving along
slowly, side by side he walking close to her.
his eyes fixed upon her face with an appearance
of complete devotion, whlc she listened 10 his
address with look as il it required an off,irt
to keep her attention to IT, As / passed, rc-
marked on the beauty Of tho evening. She
answered me quietly and civilly: he said moth
ing. bnt blushed and appeared much enbarass-
Cd and confused. ] often met them again and
always noticed i'm them the same demeanor.
But n change had come over the course O.
vents at Wcsiwaier. My father having become
n partner in the firm. removed TO the CITY.
there to take charge ofthc countinghouse bust
ness. and another manager cameto reside at
the factory.
His name was Edward Southern, and as he
occupies promonent place in my story to de-
scribe him. Whose child he was no one knew.
He had been brought up by person former
ly q gentleman's servant, add who received
from some quarter unknown regular pay
ment for his maintenance. By this man, who
kept cigar shopin London. he was tolcrably
educated. till abont sixty years of oge. AT this
period. having been by chance present ut an
Introductory lecture to popular course OF
natural philosophy, tho cnt of his genius at
once cvinced ITSELF and he became devotedy
fond Of mechanical science Iio studied this
with so much success. that next season he OBJ
tained the situation of assistant to tho lecturer,
with small salary. and the use of an aparnt-
us-room and workshop. Here he made s'ri-
king progress; his peculiar genius unfolded it.
self rapidly. and in year or two he astonished
the lecturer by showing him an article he had
written in one of the leading journals. One
step leads TO another. He shortly after COM
menccd. in an infdc publication, series of
paper. the tendency of which was To run down
every-thing in government or religion usually
held establish or sacred-and which were rc-
markable for their original character. For
these, the extensive sale of the pcstiferous pc
iodical afforded liberal remuneration. Anoth-
her short while passed. and he obtained the
situation of lecturer on mechanics and chemis-
try, on the retrcmect Of his former teacher
Another year saw issued from tho press work
OF his on apopular scientific subject. which ran
speedily through two or three editions. His
income of which he himself was the sole crea-
tor, now amounted 10 several hundred pounds
a-year, while his name was in the mouth of ev-
cry. one interested Unpopular science, especial
yas connected with manufactures.
To this person Messrs. II H.
and Co. offered tho situation ofoverseer Of their
works. with the prospects of ajunior partner
ship. lie was indeed a most singular indiyid-
ual; tall and eminently handsome in person,
wsth fine feuturcs, dark curling hair. and wis
tors and ovae ,vh;ch m tbeir deem hlarkness