Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-05-16
MISCELLANY.
A STORY OF AN ENGAGED YOUNG
PERSON,
[From Chambers Edinburgh JOurnal.l


She was certainly the plainest of the female
passengers. Her nose turned up and her
mouth had scarcely any turn at all her hair
was red, and so were the rims of her eyes
and her eyes themselves were far from being
good ones; but there was a certain piquancy
and sprightliness about her, too, as though she
had been a French lady's maid rather than an
English one. She looked as if she could put
her hand and her well rounded arm 10 anything,
and had been very good tempered and Oblging
throughout the journey. 1t was understood
it had been expressed, indeed, already, rather
triumphantly by the young lady herself-lhat
she was an engaged young person, going out
TO Australia to be married that there was a
somebody waiting upon the other hemisphere
with ouistretched hands yearning 10 receive her
as his bride. She would be capital wife Tor
a settler without doubt, although perhaps in
England we would have called her rather a SET
tier for a wife. She seemed 10 know very
well, indeed, what we were all likely to think
about this matter; but she didn't care.
eff had been little better looking"-she
began her story with this--"I might never have
got husband, or at least not The money 10
marry him upon, which is the same thing
The unsuitableness Of my face 10 which may
be allowed 10 call very tolerable figure, has
been literally the means of bestowing happi-
ness, as hope, upon Joseph, and of putting
-f4OO into my own pocket. And this was all
how it came about; my late mistress, who was
so kind TO me, and had intended, poor thing
for she told me SOTO leave me comfortably
provided for, took me over with her, seven
years ago TO Paris. She was widow lady
fond of a gay life and brilliant amusemenis ;
and that place suited her so we'll, that she made
it her home, and l, hut little 10th, remained
there too. Joseph and kept company iogeth-
er before that Time, but he was not so foolish
as to wish me TO give up my expectations fol
the sake of hurried marriage; he said, that
he would wait patiently dear fellow, although
the great salt sea was to role between us, and
there could be no chance CT his getting letter
more than once month. He was a mason's
assistant in London, and very hardly worked
it seemed, for he himself was not able to reply
near so often; however, of course was not 1
bird, so that | could not be in Two places al
once, so made the best OF it, and was as hap
Ply as a confidential lady's maid, under sncl
circumstances could hope to be.
"One evening had been preparing my mis-
tress, who was a very splendid dresser, for IN,
opera my only fellow servant was on leave o
absence for some days and except the porte
in the courtyard, there was nobody when tn
carriage had driven. off that night, in the who'll
house save myself, therefore, having noihin,
better-or at least nicer-io do, and being il
my MISTRESS bedroUm among her beautiful
robes and ornaments, it was hardly to be expect
ed that should resist such an opportunity o
trying them on. The room, besides being
charmingly hung with mirrors, had deliciou
full length swinging glass, and thus amuse
myself for good long while. beheld how
Mademoiselle Elizabeth Martin that is m
present name, but dear Joseph's is Andrew
how she looked in bareges, in silks, ia mus
Inns, for the mOrhing and how lace and satin
and how sleeves, with pearls become her 70
evening wear; finally, equpping myself in
particularly pleasant glace silk walking dress
with bonnet and falling veil fit for a bride
could not help twisting round little, to Sc
as much Of myself as possible, and contrasting
the effect at the same time with that Of madam
who was beautiful enough, but Indifferent
propOrtioned-I involuntarily remarked aloud
-" Well, we may be plain in the face, b.
we are ceriainlyaunexcepti onable behind"
II was an absurd thing 20 say even to one
self, and remember blushing like beet, a
though it were not quite out Of The queslio
that could be overheard. There were severa
jewel dFaweTs-ihis ruby upon my middle fin
ger, ring belonging to my MISTRESS laie hul
band, was in one Of Ihem-but had no tim
for more than 10 set of handsome necklac
o. two, and to my much regret that my eal
had not been punched for the accommodate
Of an especial pair Of diamond ear rings, b,
fore heard wheels ia the courtyard, and m
mistress came home. Everything had bee
put away carefully, and undressed her to be
as usual.--She was more than commonly kin
and gentle in her manner that night, as has
since thought at least and when she wishe
me her vOn sOir, she added --' am sure "
shall both be tired tomorrow, Bessie so ca
me an hour later and take an extra sleep you