Tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1856, 1855-11-29
From the Edinburgh journal.
e TY;
THE BLIND HARPIsT.


THE BLIND HARPIsT.
Not such very long time ngo-sat when
there were no railways, when standardization
WAS in its infancy, and the electric telegraph
not even dreamed ola journey to Cornwall was
quite formidable undertaking; while the ma
tive inhabitants of that county regarded the
more distant part of the island population in the
light of foreigners. Fluctuations, however,
were as rife then, in mining concerns, as they
are known to be in these adventurous days
fortunes were made, and fortunes were lost !;
and when the latter reverse b4fell Mr. Traher,
great mining speculator, attended with many
distressing circumstances, he had not strength
of mind to bear up against calamity, but speedily
sank beneath the blow, leaving three orphan
children totally destitute. Harry, the eldest, a
youth just about to leave school, obtained,
through the influence OF friends, an appointment
in q mercantile house in India, whittier he at
once repaired. His sisters were considered par
ticularly in lucls way, when distant relation.
respectfully settled in London, offered to receive
the poor girls, and to retain one of them as nur-
sery-governess in her own family, providing 3
similar situation for the other. 1t was a sad
parting between the brother and sisters; for
India then seemed vast deal further of than
it appears now, and faint were the hopes they
eutertaiaed of meeting again in this world
And, indeed these three never did meet again !,
for Mary, the eldest of the two girls, in process
of time became the wife of thriving London
merchant, and died while their only daughter
was still I'D. Ethel Traher, Harry Is favorte
little sister, also became wife; but her mar
riage dlspleased her relation, who pronounced
her positive conviction, that so pretty creature
might have done far better. Mayor Mrs
0snrers, rs she ought to be called--more than
joined i'll the displuasure occasioned by Ethel's
matrimonial choice and not only cherished an
ger and unforgiyeness in her own breast, but
instilled the same feelings into the MIND of her
husband and even taught her child to look down
on the Mordaunts. Letters from Harry were
few and far between; but he was prospecting :
though fortunes in India, he said, were not made
so quickly as they sometimes were in their own
dear native Cornwall.
For some years, Mr.. Mordaunt Ethels Ans-
band, who turned his talents TO account by
teaching drawing contrived, by eiint of unceas-
ing industry, to support his delicate and ailing
wife in comfort, if not in affluence. Ethel also
brought her husband one child, a fair daughter,
nanod after herself, whose sweet afTectonate
disposition endeared her to both parents hearts
and made amends to her mother for the loss of q
sisters countenance and love. With deep emo
ton, however, Mrs. Mordaunt read in the public
prints the announcement of this unforgiving
sisters decease; she yearned to clasp the mo-
theress girl, her niece and Etty's cousin, to her
bosom. But so decided had been the rebutfs Of
Mr.. Danvers, that honest pride and self-respeCt
would not permit one of the family TO approach
the rich mans door. Miss DanveYs reigned
supreme there, the spoiled child of luxury and
indnlgence-proud, arrogant, and unfeelng, but
strikingly handsome in person and agreeable in
manner. She did not even know where the
Mordaunts were to be found-she made il a
matter of conscience to cut all such disgraceful
connexions, and the more particularly they
were residents in the same city.
Since the death of Mrs. Danvers, Harry had
-
for this press of business, or the inertness &C.
casioned by the climate; or, it might be, that
no longer having his own sister to correspond
with, absence caused forgetfulness, and he did
not care to see the handwriting of the new gene
ration Hence the name of Uncle Harry was
seldom mentioned, either by the dashing Miss
Danvers. or by the quiet pale girl, Etty Nor
daunt whose young life passed in tending
her now afflicted mother. Ere middle age had
dimmed the lustre of her eye, of changed sim
gle dark hair to white poor Mrs Mordaunt lost
the use of her limbs through paralysis, and Etty
saw the sunshine of this world through the haze
of a sick room. Yet had they much to be thank
full for and a contented happy family they were
They rented the upper part of small house in q
renteel street and Mr.. Mordaunts pupils were
principally in the vicinity, with the exception Of
some school. in the suburbs. His emolument
was certain and regular; and although he had
frequently complained of a singular weakness
in his eyes, attended by some pain, no serious
apprehension of danger had disturbed the draw
ing-masters serenity of mind. All his leisure time
was devoted to the improvement of Etty's do
Gle mind; she learned everything readily save
drawing-that she could not manage; and her
father, half in Jest, half in earnest, shook his
head, and called it deficiency of intellect and
Etty herself, the gentlest and most humble-min-
ded of human beings, lamented this deficiency
because it vexed her dear father. But, As if TO
make amends for the want she depored, nature
had gifted ETY. with q remarkably fine voice
thrilling, rich, and melancholy. A harp. which
WAS her poor mothers only relic Of better days,
stood in one corner of their sitting-room; and
not only had ETY. learned TO accompany her
voice on this old harp very respectfully. but
Mr. Mordaunt also was q performer, and what
with his brilliant touch and Etty's sweet warb-
ling. these humble family concerts were quite
delightful
Mr.. Mourdant had never hitherto consented
to receive pupils at his own home, not liking
this infringement of domestic privacy; but on
the urgent solicitation of former pupil, who
had materially benefited by his instructions,
Mr. Mordaunt waved his objection, and gave a
few lessons, always in the evening, to young
man whose peculiar circumstances prevented the
reception of master in his fathers DWELLING
+, This ycush va, We second son Of Mr.. Ruthss