Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1857-07-23
Written for the Delaware Republican.
THE SISTERS.

| written Tor inc Delaware RepLDllcan.
THE SISTERS.
THERE lies in the North of England con
siderable tract Of land, now known by the mani
of the Waste Lands, which once formed tn
richest property cf two wealthy families, b!
whom untoward circumstances had caused i
to be deserted. For some time, ii was looked
after by stewards, too much bent ON profitiIt
themselves to regard the interests of their EN-
ployers. The tenantry, who, drained OF thel
hard earnings were obliged TO yex the land til
1t became bed OF stone, dropped OIL, one by
| one. The hedgeroWs being unremittingly as
sisted in the progress OF decay by the paupers
| OF the neighborhOOd, were soon reduced tC
| dockweeds and brambles, which gradually uni
ting from the opposite ends Ct the fields, the
property became huge thcket, too encunl.
Dered ever to be worth clearing, and only val
liable to poachers and gypsies, TO whom it still
affords abundant booty, and secure hiding
place.
The two mansions have kept pace in ruin
with the land around them. The persons left
in charge of them, being subject to no super
vision, put themselves but little out of their
way, to preserve that, which was so highly re-
gardcd by the owners. FOO careless to repair
the dilapidations of time and weather, they
were driven, by broken windows and rickety
doors, from office to office, and from parlor to
parlor, till ruin fairly pursued them into the
grand saloon; where the Turkey carpets were
tattered by hobnails, and the dcgs of the chase
licked their paws upon sofas of silk and satin.
In due time, the rain forced its way through
the roofs; and the occupiers having no orders
to stop 1t with tile, the breach became wider
and wider. Soon the fine property began to
show dfscolored patches, and display the lath
and plaster, which bulged through it then
the nails which supported the family portraits
gave way with their burdens; and, finally, the
ratters began to yield, and the inhabitants
wisely vacated the premises in time to avoid
the last crash, rightly conjecturing that it was
useless to leave the moyeables behind to share
in the common destruction, when there was so
little likelihood of their ever being inquired at-
ter. Thus ended The pride both Of llerGncliif
and Ha2ledell, which may still be seen, from
each other about u mile apart, shooting up a
few parti-colored walls from their unframed
wilderness, and seeming like two desperate
combatants, to stand TO the last extremity ;
neither OF them chcered by sign Of life, ex-
cepting the jackdaws which sit perched upon
the dead tips of the old ash trees, and the star
| lings that sweep around at sunset in circles,
beyond which the country folks have rarely
been hardy enough to intrude.
| The last possesSor who resided at lIazledell,
J was an eccentric old bachelor, with dlsnosi.
/ tiOn so composed of Kindness and petulahce,
could live with him. His relations had been
driven away from him, one aitlr the other g.
one because he presumed to plead the poverty
Of u tenant WHOM the old man had previously
resolved upon iorglYing his rent; another be-
cause he mistoGk the choice bin Of the cellar,
when wine was prescribed ior the sickness of
the poor; and third, because he suffered
himself to be convinced by him in politics, and
thus deprived him of the opportunity of hold
ing forth arguments which gave his company
due time to discuss their good cheer. There
was but one person who understood him, and
this was his nephew who continued to the
last his only companion, and kept him alive
solely by knowing how to manage him. He
had the good taste never to remind linn OF his
years by approaching him with that awe which
is commonly demonstrated by young people
towards the old; and the tact to observe where
his tolbles would bear raillery, and where they
required sympathy. lie could lead from one
mood to another, so that the longest day
in his company never seemed monutonous; or
if lie rambled away amongst the neighborhood
he could return at night with tale of advGn-
lures, which sent him to bed without repining
at the prospect Of Tomorrow. Unluckily the
old man considered him too necessary to his
comfort to part with him and though merely
the son OF younger brother, without fortune
or expectation, he was not permitted TO turn
his mind to u profession, or to anything be-
yond the present. The youth, however, was
scarcely %; and at such an age, n well sup
piled purse for the time being, leaves but lit
tic anxiety for the future. With good edu,
cation, picked up as he could, by snatches, u
sprightly disposition, and II talent equal to any
thing, young Vibert OF IIazledel was as well
come abroad as he was ut homo; and it was
argued that his handsome figure and counte-
nalrce would stand him in the stead of the best
profession going. The young ladies' would
turn from any beau at the country ball to greet
his arrival; and never think OF engaging them
selves to dance till they were quite sure that
he was disposed Of. One remarked upon the
blackness of his hair, another upon the white
ness OF his forehead; and the squires who We're
not jealous of him, would entertain them with
his ieats of Craftsmanship and adroitness at
bringing down, right and left. Still Yibert
was not spoiled, and the young ladies pulled
up their kid gloves till they split, without ma
king any impression upon him. His obstina-
cy was quite incomprehensble. Each rdi-
euled the disappointment of her friend, in the
hope OF c0ncealing her own; and all tuIneLl~
tor consolation, TO the young master of Heron
cliff. Marcns of Heronclill was nearly OF an
age with Vibert, and was perhaps still more
popular with the heads of families, if not with
the Younger branches for he had the advan-
tage of an ample fortune. His person, also,
was well formed, and his features We're, for the
most part, handsome; but the first had none of
the grace of Hibert, and the last had far diff
erent expression. His front, instead of being
cast in that fine expansive mould, was con-
tracted and low, and denoted more cunning
than talent. His eye was too deeply sunk to
indicate opcness or generosity; and the tout
ensemble gave an idea Of sulkiness and double
dealing. 1t was held by many that his outward
appearance was not fair index Of his dispo-
sitiom, which was said to be liberal and good
natured. The only fault which they found
with him was, that his conversation seemed
| over-much guarded for one Of his age. lie
appeared unwilling to show himself as he
really was, and the greatest confidence which
could be reposed in him, produced no cores
ponding return. He walked in society like one
who came to look on rather than to mix in it /;
and although his dependents lived in profu-
sion, his table was rarely enlivened, save by
the dogs, which had been the companions Of
his sport. Vibert, whose character it was to
Judge always tavorably, believed that his man
'lcr and mode Of life proceeded from the con-
!, ciousness of faulty education, and mis-
tr, lst of his capacity to redeem. lost time. lie
feh u friendliness for him, bordering upon
com passion; and their near neighborhood al
ford. ing him frequent opportunities of throwing
himss II in his way, considerable degree OF
intima cy was, in course of time, established
betwee. I them. Yibert was right, as far as he
went, in his estimate of his friends mind; but
he never discovered its grand feature. Marcus