White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1857-10-29

fortune was sufficient to keep me there! hired
a splendid mansion-fumished it in the most ell
giant style-threw of my weeds, and emerged
from my chrysalis, the gay and dashing Mrs.
Ballantyne-then still young, and as my glass
told me, still handsome! thought now to avoid
comments bUtWhsrs viii not the peering eyes
Of curiosity reach, or the tongue of Islander de-
file. / found my mysterious conduct still the
theme Of animadversion; so determined to
make mystery my forte. surrounded myself
with HysteTy; walked as it were in mist, and
nOru iOGs only called eccentric! No one neglect
cd my balls, my suppers, my fetes--I became
more distingue than ever.
In the MEANWHILE steadily pursued my vo-
cation Of Rag-gGtherer, and you can probably
hardly credit me, when I say that became at
tached even to this manner Of life. It seemed
70 me had two existences, and those the very
antipOdes Of society, and delighted in doing
justice to both! As Mrs. BGlLaniyne surroun-
ded myself with every luxury and elegance; as
poor Nelly, Jared worse than the street beggar.
Without grimace drank the dingy water from
the rough wooden dipper; in this soaked the
crust of stale bread to appease my hunger, and
stretched my limbs upon the hard straw pallet.
need net have done this; might have Jared
like princess in my rags; but gloried in iden-
tifying myself with poor Nelly And in the eve
ming my lips pressed the exquisite China. or
richly chased goblet; delicate com6ts we're pre-
pared for my fastidious taste, and reposed my
self upon cushions Of satin and down! be-
came again Mrs. BalldHtyRe. But you, my son,
were still my idol; saw you coming forward in
life all the fondest mother could wish, and
Rugged the more the pitiful calling which ena-
bled me to place yau rhere your father had
stood!
Now sudden fear seized me; found the
passion Of avarice fast gaining upon me; the
very nature Of my employment was conducive to
its growth. shuddersd to find myself actually
gloating over any unexpected treasure which
fellinto my hands, with the same delight should
have felt we're lin reality the poor wretch per-
Sonated. To break from its thraldom required
a vigorous effort, / succeeded. As an atone
ment for the Implicitly flor so must call it)
practiced so long upon the public, now gave
away large sums to charitable institutions, and
sought out the poor and miserable to relieve
their wants, and in so doing, l felt happier than
had ever done before. Il was at this time my
dear Violet, that the hand Of Providenee'guided
me to you, as if to confirm my good resolutions.
When closed the eyes of your unhappy parent,
solemnly vowed within myself, and in the sight
Of God, to take you to my heart as my own
child, and that you should share equally with
my son the fortune which my conscience told me
had surreptitiously obtained. soon loved you,
yet you were a constant source of anxiety to
me. l formed the romantic resolution of educa-
ting you entirely from the world; to keep your
mind pure as infancy; and then, when had led
your steps along the perfect path my fancy had
opened for you; when my work should be &C.
complishsd, the world should see my prodigy
perfect model of beauty, intelligence and vir-
tue!
You were ever gentle, obedient child, nd
without murmur suffered yourself to be left
alone all through the dreary night, and some
times entire days. As your mind expanded, how
delighted in my airy schemel 1t was pleas
ure for me to instruct You, and for a time re-
linquished entirely my street rambies, that !
might pursue your education. It was a wild chi
mera, of an imagination as Wild, to suppose you
were always to be as contented in this dreary,
solitary dwelling, until chose to lift the latch
Of freedom; it certainly proved so, for at the age
Of fourteen the old garden could no longer con-
tent you. Your own act destroyed tho illusion,
now received yOu to my arms; but trembled
for my iReogntO. found you gazing upon me
at times with looks so full of wonder; at the
sound of my voice you would sometimes start,
change color, and appear so parplexed, that I
found il wished to preserve my secret must
give nay charge into other hands.
How happy felt, my dear Violet, when I
found you retained all your affection and inter
est for the wretched companion of your child,
hood-the poor rag-lcoman; that your elevated
sphere had not made you forgetful Of your hum
bic home; and although you disobeyed my in
functions by continually asking in your letters
about poor Nelly, it was an offence too dear to
my heart not to be overlooked.
Need / say, my children, how truly rejoieed
when you, the two dearest objects Of my love,
were brought together under my roof, to discov
er the mutual affection kindIed in your hearts.
But wished to probe the sincerity Of your love,
Eugene, for 1 would not wreck the happiness Of
this dear girl as my own had been; and wished
also to discover if you, Violet, had sufficient
strength of miad--frmness Of principle-to re-
nouncO your own happiness, that you might not
distress her whom you knew but as Mrs. Ballan-
tyne, and at the same time attest your gratitude
to your early friend. poor Nelly.
The result has proved my expectations, and
fulfilled my dearest wishes. Take her, Eugene,
she is indeed treasure The good have en-
deavored TO do, will, / trust in some measure
atone for the double part hare enacted 80 ma
ny years. Ny future life shall be devoted to
deeds OF charity.
have sold this Wretched dwelling. To-mor-
row the old walls viii tumble down, and with
them forever disappears Nelly Tie RssSGther-
en-
The Wing General Committee Of New York
has issued an address, which declares, amongst