True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-02-22
The Heiress.

A sprightly, rosy-cheeked, haxen-haired
little girl used to sit, on the pleasant eve
nings of June, on the marble steps oppo.
site my lodgings, when I lived in Phila'
delphia, and sing over hundred little
sonnetS and tell over as many tales in 9
sweet voice, and with an air of delightful,
simplicity that charmed me many time
She was then an orphan child, and com
monty reported to be rich. Often and Of
ten I sat after a day of toll and vexation
and listened to her innocent voice, breathing
forth the notes of peace and happiness
which flowed cheerfully from light heart,
and felt portion of that tranquility steal
over my bosom. Such was Eliza Huntley
when | first knew her.
Several years had elapsed, during which
time Twas absent from the city, when walk
ing along one fthe most fashionable squares
I saw an elegant female figure step into g
carriage, followed by q gentleman and two
pretty children. did not Immediately re.
cognize her face, but my friend, who was
by my side, pulled my elbow; do you not
remember little Eliza, who used to sing fol
us when welived togetherin in Walnut street,
l did remember; it was herself,
She used to be fond, said he, of treating
her little circle of friends with romances-
and at last she acted out neat romance
herself. She came out into the gay circle
of life under the auspicious other guardian.
1t was said by some thatshe was rich, very
rich-but the amount of wealth did moi
appear to be matter Of publicity; how.
ever the currant, and was as generally be-
licved, well-founded report, was sufficient
to draw around her many admirers, and
among the number not q few courtiers.
She did not wait long, before a young
gentleman on whom she had looked with
somewhat partial eye, because he was the
gayest and handsomest of the lovers, EN-.
boldened by her partially, made an offer
Probably she blushed, but they were in q
moonlight parlor, and as her embarrassment
was more than half concealed, she soon
recovered, and as waggish humor hap
pened to second, she put on a serious face,
and told him she was honored by his pref
erence, but that there was one matter
which should be understood before, by
giving him a reply, she bound him to his
promise. perhaps you may think me
wealthy; 1 would not for the world have
you labor under mistake on that point
I am worth eighteen hundred dollars"
She was proceeding, but the gentleman
started as if electrified. Eighteen hundred
dollars! he repeated in manner that be-
trayed the utmost surprise; yes ma'am,
said he awkwardly, Il did understand yor
were worth great deal more, but
mo sir she replied, mo excuse Or apol
ogies; think about what l have told yol
you are embarrassed now answer me anoth
er time and rising, she babe him goo,
night.
She just escaped trap. He wentnex
day to her guardian to inquire more pal
ticularly into her affairs, and receiving th
same answer he dropped the suit at once
The next proposal followed soon after
and this too, from one who succeeded by
large portion Of her esteem, but applyin
the same crucible to the love he offere
her, she found like result. He too lei
her, and she rejoiced in another fortunat
escape.
She sometime after became acquainte
with a gentleman of slender fortune,
whose approaches she thought she WI
discovered more of the timid difidenc
of love than she had witnessed befor
She did not check his hopes, and in proce
of time, he too, made her an offer. b.
when she spoke of her fortune, he begge
her to be silent. 1t is to virtue, wort
} and beauty, said he, that I pay my cour
NOT to fortune. In you L shall obta
} what is worth more than gold. She WI
most agreeably disappointed. They we
married, and the union was solemnized-
she made him master of her fortune vii
herself. 1 am indeed worth eighteen hui
{ dred dollars, said she to him, but I new
t said how much more; and l hope never
enjoy more pleasure than feel this m
ment, when tell you that my fortune
r one hundred and eighty thousand.
1t is actually 80, but still her husbar
) often tells her he possesses a far nobl
fortune.