True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-05-23
ggel&Gt Tal&,
From Graham's Magazine.
EDITH MORTON.
CHAPTER I.
BY MISS 8. A, STUART.

CHAPTER 1.
Have you ever been, dear reader, in that
sweet little village of A, in Virginia.
Well, if you have not, you certainly have
yet to see the. pleasant little Eden of
this earth where they have the purest
tair,,,thc most. beautiful sunsets, and the
lbluest skies imaginable-Italy not except
led-so l think. There lived my heroine;
and ssch heroine, at the time have
schosen to introduce her to you.
1T was close upon sundown, on lovely
spring day, when strikingly handsome,
taistingGe locking young man, alighted
from hisibuggy, at the residence of Mrs,
Morton, in the above mentioned village.
Charles Lennard-the young man spoken
of-lhad been received as boarder, for
few months, into Mrs. Morton's quiet fam
lily, as his health was too delicate to allow
him to trust to the precarious and uncer-
rtain kindness shown by the landladies, in
general, of thriving village inns. Some
moneyed affair had called him to A., and
here he had arrived on this lovely spring
evening; and the skies wore their rosiest
blush to greet his coming.
.'By all that's pretty! it's a little Para
disc" was his muttercd notice, as he pass
ed through the fowcr-garden, whose cling
Ing vines, creeping Ger the lattice sup
ports, yelled the little bird-nest of white
that peeped out amid the rich foliage
varied in color by thousand tinted flow
era. 81 hope Mrs. Morton has given me
a room overlooking the garden; twill be
delightful to road here whilst these per-
fumes are floating around one"
The door was wide open, and quiet,
blue-eyed lady sat sewing in the back part
Of the wide hall, who raised her soft, kind
eyes inquiringly to his face, as his shadow
darkened the doorway.
"lIrs. Morton, 7 presumed" said he, as
heapproached him. dam Mr.. Lennard
whom you we're so kind as to admit"
T am happy to see you, Mr.. Lennard,'
interrupted she, Hospitality extending hel
hand to bid him welcome. "Walk into
this room, sir. We are very plain folks
here, Mr.. Lcnnard-but you must endeav
or to make yourself at home. Alec'-tt
a boy who entered-"take this gentleman
buggy and horse and put them up
Turning to her guest, she conducted
him into her cosy parlor, now filled witt
the golden moats of the glimmering sun
beams, that quivered through the foliage
that ,drapcd the windows; whilst the at
mosphero of the room itself brcathec
sweets unnumbercd, They chatted of th'
weather, Of his journey, of the village etc.
till Mrs. Morton, remembering her duty al
hostess, begged her guest to excuse her
whilst she hurried off, "on hospitable tho
intent" Charles threw himself dreamiI.
and indolently into the old-fashioned arm
chair, which stood invitingly in the shad
ow of the window.
A young, glad voice, light, bounding
step, broke on his reverie; ard, as h
glanced toward the door, whence the SCUM
came7-Iang! almost in his face, fell
carpet.bag, half filed with books, and the
an exclamation of surprise from a youn
fairy, who just stopped long enough
make him doubt whether she was. mors'
or aneel-and then again bounded off lik
young, startled fawn. IT'S our heron
Edith Northumberland from her III
ties ut the village academy, wild with n
pressed play and mischief, VINO mas uo"
him this favor She returned ere Ion
with her mother, reluctant and blushin!
to sanction by her presence the apolog
uttered for her.
"You will excuse Edith, Mr.. Lennar
I hope, for her carelessness. She tells n
that the light dazzled her eyes sdmuc
that she was not aware Of your presence
sbo has been in the habit Of throwing h
books into this sroom--the armchair whic
you now occupy being her morning stud
Edith, speak to Mr.. Lcnnard, and tell HI
how sorry you are for your rude greeting
',Do not trouble yourself, Miss Edit
Your apology is all.ruHRcient my de