Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-01-06
THE STORY TELLER.
From the South Boston Gazet
Love and Lunacy.

uTlIty llttle villages, which everywhere DOT
It's hill and valleys, is always betokened by a
change in the aspect of the country, present
ing ar appearance similar to that agreeable
blending of city and country which is observa-
bic in the vicinity of great metropolis. AS
we advance toward cluster of buildings COM
prising a small manufacturing town, resting
perhaps in the bosom of some sloping hill, or
by the side of noisy stream, the farm-houses
which at intervals have been scattered all
along the road looking so ancient with their
mossy roofs and brown walls, with the old
fashioned well-sweep near by, projecting far
up in the blue sky, as if vieing with the
branches Of the old elms that stand by its side,
are exchanged for pretty little cottages with
green blinds and now and thena trellised por-
tico, and enclosed by neatly white-washed
fences. The useful and substantial give place
To the ornamental, or rather they are all hap
PLY united in manner consistent both with
economy and beauty.
1t is here inthe suburbs of small country
village, if we may so term it, in the central
part of Maine, the reader is introduced TO one
of these neat little cottages just mentioned,
surrounded with marks of industry and fruCaIi-
ty. The row of young poplars in front, the
well-pIanned garden, the commodious DISPOSE
ton of the out-buildings, and the excellent de-
sign of the cottage itself, all evince the supe-
rior taste of the proprietor of the estate The
~fnn Il
and beyond this, a fine clover field extends
downward to the banks of a small pond, which
has ais outlet at the village about half a mile
below.
With sGch lovely spot for our imagination
TO rest upon, we may rightly conclude that its
occupant is at least somewhat above the com
Gaon s'aading in society. At the lime our
story opens, Mr.. Larkin, its proprietor had
reached-what is termed the meridian of life,
and was highly esteemed in the community in
which iie dwelt, on account of his skilful man
agement of business, as well as his honest and
upright manner Of dealing. He had been ed
ocated al one Of our first seminaries with the
intention of following the profession of the
law, but on account Of the failure of his health.
had concluded TO settle down upon farm, in
the hopes Of enjoying health and tranquility
away from the bustle Of the world, and sur
rou1ded by rural scenes and rural pleasures
With much skill and foresight he had planned
his buildings and laid out his grounds, and for
number of years had been uncommonly sue
cessful, probably owing in a great measure to
his superior judgment, united with knowledge
of the scientific method Of farming, obtained
from an attentive perusal of books His libra
ry was well stocked with useful and instruc-
tive works, but no room was found on his
shelves for such books as have a bad or even a
doubtful effect upon the young mind; tor with
al his other cares Mr.. Larkin was particular
Iy attentive to- the proper training of his chill
dren.
The family consisted Of two daughters and
a son, the latter an infant. The eldest, EIvi:a,
had Just attained her eighteenth year, and
though ia the opinion of the fashionable city
beau, she mig ht not have been considered beat
tif1l, she was blest with strong constitution
and rqddy countenance which indicated health
and activity. From infancy she had breathed
the pure air of her native hills, and freely
roamed over the fields and beside the lovely
pond. 1t is no wonder then if she grew up, as
it were, child of nature, and filled with quite
extensive notions of freedom; for inheritng
her fathers accurate judgment, and INDUCED
by her parents in almost every wish, she had
come to consider herself able in almost every
case 10 think and act for herself. She was by
no means wilful or selfish, yet she seemed in
measure to have drawn from the wild and ro-
mantle scenery which she encountered in her
long rambles, spirit of independence and
self-reliance, which joined with natural reso-
luteness, prompted her to take seemingly un-
wise course. She felt that she had attained
an age when she might with some confidence
rely upon her own judgment, and that it was
but right that she should attempt TO support
herself by her own labor. With this view,
she sought and finally obtained the reluctant
consent of her parents to leave home and try
hOh lh TIC WluO WOIlus OOul6 OI H6r
friends were engaged in the mills at Lowell,
and thither she determined to 60 and try her
hand at the loom.
1t may seem improbable that a female in
Elvira's si.nation should wish TO leave COM
Portable home, kind parents, and agreeable as
soclalions, to become voluntarily an humble,
Woodworking factory girl. Yet it is not all
uncommon occurrence; and this is why we
find among the female operatives Of our large
manufacturing towns those best fitted to per-
form the duties of domestic life, having been
trained in the school of industry, and that too,
from choice rather than be dependent upon
others.
Elvira had enjoyed high advantages of
literary character, and well had she improved
them. From an early age she had attended
constantly at the village academy, and being
naturally endowed with a clear and compre-
hensive mind, had in most she had undertaken,
surpassed those of her own age. If then
well disciplined mind may be considered as
any safeguard against temptation, she was well
prepared TO resist the destinations and wicked
ness of city life.
After the first consent had been wrnng from
the fond parents, it was useless 10 waste words
in exDOsfulation and with silent sor-,,,, H.,