Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-12-15
That breaks at every breeze"
SARAH PERCXVAA;
Or
BT mrs. cIRoLrSE IReRAHAH.
CHAPTER L.

Il was a cold, raw, November day. The air
was piercing, and a furry OF snow, that had
fallen since morning, gave an aspect of mex
pressible dreariness to the mountain scenery
around the little village Of Montespan, which
boosted only one "great house." This was the
residence Of retired city merchant, whose
lines had "falen in pleasant places" and who
had made his home perfect dream of beauty.
The inhabitants of the village looked up with
the greatest respect to esquire Percival" and
his family. His carriage, his horses, bis great
dinner parties, at which bis elegantly dressed
and hammered wife greeted her city guests
with the dignity of q queen-his house aud
crounds-nay, even the diamond ring and pin
he wore, were objects Of wonder and curiosity,
TO the SIMPLE folk who deemed themselves high.
ly honored by bis soiourn among them.
As for Kate PerciVal-the only child and
rightful heiress of all this splendor, who had
passed most of her life in New York-to dance
well, sing we'll, dress well, and coquet with
a grace, were ell the things that she cared
for.
While Kate had been absent from her pa.
rents, another had been growing up in the
house-though not rs daughter to them.
Sarah Percivsl was the Daughter of younger
brother of the family, who, dying poor and
unfortunate, left his oaly child to the care OF
his brother Richard, with the earnest prayer
that she might never miss the love aud tender.
ness she had always known. That prayer was
heard, but never answered. For Richard Per-
cival, cold, hard, ambitious man, could not
be expected 10 pet and fondle the lonely child,
and Ills stately wife looked upon her Is an IN
terloper who might one day interfere with the
plans and projects Of her darling Kate.
or the mother of this child nothing was
known. Mr.. Richard Percivsl only shook bis
head when any one made inquiries about her,
aud muiter something about "poor Frank"
and an 'unfortunate marriage" RumOr had
pronounced the lady beautiful! and fascinating,
add Mrs. Perciya trembled in her soul, whea
size looked ut the full, animated face Of
the little Sarah, and saw in her brown hair and
large dark eyes, a promise Of that loveliness
thai had won the fathers heart.
The high spirited Sarah ehsfed inwardly At
many look Of dislike and many a tauat from
the wife of her benefAclor, bot the world was
vide aud cruel, and while her uncle was taeitly
KIDD 20 her, she dreaded TO begin the battle,
from which, she felI, even then, she could never
come oat quite unscathed. But while she wal
ted. the memorable baud OF Fate was stretched
forth 10 lead her out iato that world from
which she shrAnk, and Destiny accomplished
thar which she herself might never have had
tie courage to undertake.
10 the very prime Of lifs--ssrOng, healthfal
and hearty, bier uncle, the head Of the family,
wss suddeuly cut down. OF the gallant hest,
the indulgent husband, lhe dashing man OF
business, nothing remained BAT cold motion
less body. with a shrouded face, lying quietly
In one Of the great chambers Of the great
honse. The servants passed that door with
suspended breath and quickened tread--the
widow il The solitude Of Der owE room Won
dssed Il her mougning would become her, and
II fhe vii Of the dead inaIi bad left her mis-.