True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-10-22
q !, Goob Storgl,,
s.';f" ol1 ga"tFrom Graham's Magazine.
An Autobiography ola Country Girl
BY CLARA AUGUSTA.


ot a.i by CLARA AUGUSTA. s~"F"
341i s'g ... .'t 'r . -
Will you cast down my humble histo.
ry when Tell you that in my youth, as
well as in age, was plain, hopelessly
plain! My profuse dark hair was my
only charm. Ny face was thin almost to
emacia,ion, and ufa sallow unhcalthiness.
My eyes were unnalurally large, and my
lips were pale and lcolorless.. ID,
My health was bad, and my mind was
always in low state. l was sensitive
almost to folly, and shrank from stran-
gers with that instructive horror. which
even now thrills me at the touch Of an
unknown hand. ......-... .....-
was an orphan lonely and alone |
lived with Il maiden aunt, in the dark
depths Of pine forest near B!ackwaIet.
The influences which surrounded my
childhood were cold aud chilling, unfa-
vorable to the development Of my social
or intellectul faculties. My aunt was
kind to me, that is, she gave me food and
clothes, and carte blanche, as to the dis
posal Of my time. ..e.9 re-, ~
The library at Pine Forest was very
limited, Bible, prayer book lew an
cient histories, and an old romance, which
had read and re.read until every word
was Impressed upon my memory. IL
told Of many characters, but ! passed
them all over 10 think Of one noble, dig.
nlfed, and god.like. | llpedlhat charac-
ter. l worshipped an ideal. cared not
whether the form aud face were hand
some or ugly it was the noble attributes
81 the soul which 1 loved. " Dad
Ofmere sexual love, l knew nothing
until Lhad reached my eighteenth year,
had never had even a boy playmate Te
school l had never been my aunt had
taught me 10 read and write, and some
Of the more ordinary female accomplish
ments. .....ft ... r,.. .p.l
Blu, a new chimera penetrated my
aunl's brain. a.n. q ra O.. .t.E
A stray newspaper came 10 Pine For
est, aud in its columns Was HE advertise
men, Of female seminary, which was u
be openedfor young ladies, at Landsdown
in a short time. .. .sra ,aa-,s3iH
10 this school my aunt wac resolve,
to send me. | fel, no delight at the in
telligence.a Study was dislasleful to me
liked better to 20 out Oh the bare iii
when the storm demon was abroad in hi
raging, and barring my dark brow to tn
wild winds, cast my restless eyes out in
to the deep gloom, Or, raising my face
heaven, gaze unshrinkingy on the ie
lightnings which were vomited from tn
clouds black bosoms. .riuri.ass:l =
But aunt said | must go 10 school, an
when | openly demured, she told me
the many wonderful things | should lear
and the interesting objects would see
and | s,rove to curb my wild will in OBJ
dience to her wish. . y ..rl .hs 4
Two months passed rapidly away
preparation (; my clothes were ready pacl
ed in aunrs great black trunk. and, al
companied by our farm servant. | wa
sent 10 Landesdowne. Jacob engaged
boarding place for me, in family
wealth and ability, and then /
returned to Blackwater. ..., p.,, ,..,.
Words cannot describe to you II
heartloneliness | felt that first nigh
Alone, sal by my little window, whic
looked out upon q tall, dark church, and
dismal graveyard, with its white. toni
stones cleaning in the ghosty moonligll
] loved the view, 1t was more in acco
dance with my own dark feelings than Il
cheerful interior of my pretty chambe
All was light and pleasant there. III
large solar lamp sent its silver light oy
The crimson hangings, and illum
mated the wall paper until the room seer
ed a, garden Of living flowers. But
liked not cheeriullness. What right had
10 be bright and gayi Was l'not ava
on the fair arth! Thers was not one
the. wide world 10 lovelme y would an
one weep when ! should be laid away,
the deatl, mould ] asked the questi'
with bitterness. No, there were none
love me-! llaid my head on the windo
sill, and clasped my hands over y
eyes.l~,59 ,, L1iHS lNtj mHaeH iNa,
When / awoke the snn was shinir
warmly ovetmy disordered hair and Il
- little robins andisparrows we're singiu
pleasantly in thb churclyatL trees. .
ioused myself, and making a hasiy';oile
descended 10 the breakfast rooms III
family, bad already assembledoylThe
was airowof strange faces, at the tablt
young ganteman and ladies', who. Ill
myself were 10 attend the school.
iancisd they we're tidieuling me, and
doubt not.but they were, for one OF v
young men repeated A,(ew words lnot
unknown language, looking at me all 4
while, at which they all laughed heartil
and turned their great prying eyes Ou'
sousIy upon me- The, young ladies e'
dently not regarding me in ,belight OF,
rival in the young mems affection, Jolni