Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-04-18
MISC E Liza N Y.
THE CITY BELL E:
Or Six Months in the Country.
BY MRS. LYDIA J. rIERsoN.

BY MRS. LYDIA J. pIERsoN.
"My dear Louisa, the doctor has informed
your pa that he can prescribe nothing further
for you, except q six months residence in the
country, which, with proper care, he says may
greatly alleviate your symptoms We have
consulted on the subject, and have concluded
to write to relative of ours in Lebanon coun-
ty to know if she can accommodate and nurse you,
Your pa and cannot possibly leave the city at
present, but Sarah shall accompany you, as she
is careful and allectonatc.
sob ma, how can live six months in the
country-away from fashion, society and all
the elegancies of life and with no other com
panions than the rude, ignorant, country girls !
Dear ma, | cannot think of it, had rather
stay here and die"
This conversation took place between Mrs.
Henshaw and her invalid daughter, in ono OF
the most elegantly furnished parlors in Phila-
delphia. Mrs. IIenshaw was a leader of the
fashionable circle, and her only child Louisa
'had been belle from girhood. But depres.
sion of spirits and bodily langour had for some
time lain heavily over her, and her health had
began rapidly to decline. Perhaps she could
have explained the cause of her illness, but she
did not attempt it, and her affectionate mother
determined to lay upon her country relatives
the burden of which she was so heartily weary
1t was to her own brother she had resolved to
confde her child. lie was wealthy farmer,
living on the very lands on which she had pass
led her youth. Having been adopted by a veal
my, cniiuiess aunt sne married inc ricii e,-
egant Mr.. Henshaw, and had utterly forgotten
the home and friends of her childhood, until it
became necessary to take Louisa TO the country
and the utter impossibilty of leaving the city
awakened in her the idea of brother that was
once dear 10 her. But she spoke of him only
as relation, trusting that her daughters pride
would justify her caution. Louisa wept bitter
ly at the thought of leaving her parents, the
city and her acqraintances, but Mr.. Henshaw
fastened the preparations, and the invalid lady
with her maid were sent away, with an earn
est charge to avoid damp air and damp feet and
write if she should grow worse.
1t was in the latter part of March when they
set out, but the weather was exceedingly fine
Louisa wept until the carriage was some miles
from the city, and the sun high in the clear
heavens. Then she uncovered her face anC
looked out of the carriage, with the determine
'tion TO see some hateful, or unpleasant object
But her eyes fell on neat white dwellings, ant
fair fields, with a soft shade Of green on every
swell, relieving the brown ground work, an,
orchard trees standing in slightly rows, while
the light-wlnged songsters were dashing TO ant
fro, and filling the air with their sweet, chrp
ing melody "How beautiful" she cried in
voluntarily. She was already in love with tn
country.
Mrs. lIenshaw received several brief letter
stating that Louisa was contened and he
health was improving.
81 wonder how she can be contented," Mrs
Henshaw would exclaim; girl like Louisa
so genteel, so highly accomplished, so very del
icate and sensitive, TO be contented with sue
ignorant, unpublished people! I suppose tn;
she is amused at the wonder and admiration
the country beaux and bellies, and enjoys so
of queenly triumph amongst them. How mu
her figure, her magnificent costume, and refI
ed language and manners contrast with ii
coarseness of the young creatures around he
/ should like to see her in the rustic churcl
shining among them like dew-spangled 70,
in field of daisies | wonier how she ge
along with the young Grays. | warrant sl
keeps them all at her feet, she is a queenl
girl; | should be amused to see their awakel
ed attempts at initiating her dress, Speech ar
manners.
The last of September, Mrs. Henshaw W;
surprised at the receipt of large sheet of fool
cap in the form of letter from her daughte
She was just dressing for sailing party,
laid il aside till the next morning, when wi
sundry EXPLANATIONS of wonder she broke Il
seal. But how did her wonder increase VIII,
she read
Dear Father and Mother-I have provide
myself with this mammoth sheet for the pu
pose, and with the intention of writing you
history of my six months in the country.
"We shall find some amusement in this le
ter" said Mrs. Henshaw to her listening hu
band. "Louisa is disposed to be faceious,
see by her commencing with father and mot
er."
1t was Saturday evening when arrived
Mr.. Gray's, and, as you remember, cold ra
had succeeded the fine weather. felt chile
and miserable, but the snug old farmhouse pr
scented most comfortable appearance. As II
coach drew up to the house, the door opene
and pleasant, portly gentleman came out So
ing TO. SOME person within "No, no, CO
bring her in my arms Unnecessary" He loo
ed rather surprised as | sprang from the web
Gle he however, conducted me very courteou
ly into the parlor. But at the door pause
II was large apartment, destitute of centr
table, piano or lounge, but there was brig