Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-03-03
, The Heiress,

A sprightly, rosy-cheecked little girl used
marble steps opposite my lodgings, when /
lived in Philadelphia, and sing over hundred
little sonnets, and tell over as many tales, and
with an air of simplicity that charmed me
many time. She was then an orphan child,
and commonly reported to be very rich. Often
and often ] sat after day of vexation, and lis
tened 10 her innocent voice, breathing forth the
notes of peace and happiness, which flowed
cheerfully from light heart, and felt por-
tion Of that tranquility steal over my own bo-
SON. Such was Eliza Hadley.
Several years elapsed, during which time
had been absent from The city, when walking
along one of the most fashionable squares,
saw an elegant lady step into carriage, fol-
lowed by TWO pretty children. | did not i'm
mediately recognize her face, but my friend
who was by my side, pulled my elbow.
Do you not remember little Eliza, who used
to sing for us, when we lived together in this
city!'
did remember it was herself
She used to be fond,' said he, 'of treating
her little circle of friends with romance-and
at last she acted neat little romance herself
She came out into the circles of life under the
auspices of her guardians-it was said by some
that she was very rich-very rich-but the
amount of her wealth was no matter of pub
liciIy however, the current, and as was be-
lieved well founded, report was sufficient to
draw around her many admirers, and among
the number not few serious suitors.
She did not wait long before young gentle
man on whom she had looked with some
what partial eye, because he was the gayest
and handsomest of the lovers, emboldened by
the partiaity, made her an offer. Probably
she blushed, and her heart futtered a little,
but they were sitting in moonlit parlor, and
as her embarrassment was more than half con-
cealed, she soon recovered, and as a waggsh
humor happened to have the ascendant, she
put on serious face, told him she was honor
ed by his preference, but there was one matter
which she wishad we'll understood before, by
giving reply, she bound him to his promise.
Perhaps you may have thought me wealthy
i would not for the world have you labor
Under J mistake on that point-I am worth
eighteen hundred dollars =
She was proceeding, but the gentleman
stared, as if electrified.
Eighteen hundred dollars he repeated in
manner that betrayed the utmost surprise
'yes, madam says he awkardly, i did under
stand you was worth great deal more-but-'
No sir she replied, mo excuses or apollo
gies think about what have told you-you
are embarrassed now; answer me another
time;' and rising, she bid him good night.
She had just escaped a trap. He wenL next
day to her guardians, to inquire Eore particu-
larly into her affairs, and receiving the same
answer, he dropped his suit at once.
The next serious proposal followed soon af-
ter, and this, too, came from one who had sue
ceeded to large portion Of her esteem; but
applying the same crucible to the love he offered
her, she found like result. de, too, left
her, and she rejoiced in another fortunate es-
cape.
Some time after, she became acquainted
with young gentleman of slender fortune, IN
whose approaches she discovered more of the
timoraus diffidence of love than she had wit
messed before. She did not check him in his
topes, and in due process of time, he, too,
made her an offer. But when she spoke of her
fortune, he begged her TO be silent.
It is to virtue, worth, and beauty said he,
that pay my court-not to fortune. In you,
| shall obtain what is worth more than gold.