The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-11-30
MistrlIaneuns.
THE BLIND HARPIsT.

THE BLIND HARPIsT.
Not such very long time ago-but when
them were no railways, when steam navi.
gatbn was in its infancy, and the electric
telegraph not even dreamed OLA journey
to Cornwall was quite formidable under.
tatug; while the native Inhabitants Of that
connty regarded the more distant portion Of
The island population in the light Of foreign
en-. Fluctuations, however. were as rife
then in mining concerns, as they are known
10 be in these adventurous days-fortunes
were made and fortunes were lost; and when
the latter reverse bsfsll Mr.. Traher, u great
,..aing sDeculator, attending ~',h .-~"y Ills
'ressing circumstances, he had not strength
Of mind to bear up against calamity, but
speedily sank beneath the blow, leaving
three orphan children entirely destitute
Harry, the eldest, youth just about to
leave school, obtained, through the influence
Of friends, an appointment in mercantile
house in India, whittier at once he repaired.
His sisters were considered particularly in
lucks way, when distant relation, respec.
ably settled In London, offered to receive
the poor girls, and to retain one Of them rs
nursery governess 10 her own iamily, pro
IdmQ similar situation for the other. It
was sad parting between the brother and
listers for India then seemed vast deal
nrther OF than 1t appears now, and faint
we're the hopes they entertained Of meeting
again 10 this world. And, indeed. these
three neverdid meet again; for Mary, the
eldest Of the two girls, in process OF time
became the vile Of thriving London mer-
chant, and died while their only daughter
vas still q child. Ethel Traher, Harry's
f,vorite little sister, also became wife |;
but her marriage displeased her relation,
who pronounced her positive conviction,
that so pretty creature might have done
far better. Mary or Mrs. Danvers, rs
sko ought to be called-more than joined
in the disp!easure occasioned by Ethel's mat
rimonial choice; and not only cherished
anger and unforgiveness in her own broastr
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 prospering; though fortunes in In.
dia, he said, were not made so quickly as
they sometimes were in their own dear ma
tive Cornwall.
For somo years, Mr.. Mordaunt, Ethel's
husband, who turned his talents to accoun,
by teaching drawing, contrived, by dint ol
easing indlstry, to support his delicate
and .;l.. = IN comfort. Il NOT IN ..,,.r
ence. Ethel, also, brought her husband
one child, q fair daughter, named alter her
self, whose sweet, aflectiona'c disposition en-
deared her to both parents hearts, and made
amends to her mother for the loss Of sis
ter's countenance and love. With deeF
emotion, however, Mrs. Mordannt read IL
the public prints the announcement Of thi,
unIorgiving sisters decease; she yearned Il
clasp the mo,herless girl, her neicc ant
E,ty's cousin, to her bosom. But so decided
had been the rebuff, Of Mr.. Danvers tina
honest pride and sclr-respect would not per
mi; one Of the family to approach the ricl
mans door. Miss Danvers reisned suprem,
there, the spoiled child Of luxury and indul
gence-proud, arrogant and unfeeling, bu
strikingly handsome in person and agreea
bic in manner. She did not even know
where the Mordaunts were to be found-sh
made it q matter. Of conscience to cut al
such disgraceiul connections. and tho NOR
particularly as they were resident in th
same city.
Since the death Of Mrs. Danvers. Harr
had not written home long illness nigh
account for this, press Of business. or tn
inertness occasioncd by the climate, or,
; might be, that no longer having his own sis
ters to correspond with, absence caused 70,
getfulness, and he did not care 10 see tn
handwriting Of the new generation. Henc
: the name Of Uncle Harry was seldor
, mentioned, either by the dashins Miss Dar
: vers or by the quiet pale girl, Etty MOI
J daunt, whose young life was passed in tend
ing her now afflicted mother. Ere middl
age had dimmed the lustre Of her eyes, @
changed a single dark hair to white, poo
Mrs. Mordaunt lost the use of her limb
through paralysis, and E.ty saw the sur
shine Of this world through the haze of
sick room. Yet had they much to bc thanI
fal sos; and conten,ed happy family the
were. They rented the upper par, Of
small house in n gentoel street; and MI
Mortaunt's pupils were principally in tn
vicinity, with tho exception Of some school
T in The suburbs. Ills emolument was certai
and regular, and although he had frequcntl
complained Of a singular weakness in hi
eyes, attended by some pain, no serious or
prehea'ion Of danger had disturbed th
1 drawing masters serenity Of mind All hi
leisure time was devoted to the iinprov yemen
OF fEtty's docile mind she learned eyerythin