Brookville American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1858-1861, 1858-04-02
GtItct MtsceIIamp.
ELLEN CLAYVILLE.
or, The N Nv Schoolmaster
CHAPTER /.
ny y. W. KNOWLES.


On the bend of a pleasant road, no,
far from small but thriving village in
Que of the Eastern States, there stood
some years ago, small but neat cottage,
with green blinds and ivy-covcred
porch.
1t stood back frem the road, and was
shut out from its dust and noise by a
luxuriant hedge of well-traincd orange
shrubs. The shaded garden walks were
laid out with unvarying regularity-that
marked the whole premises.
Winding with many graceful turn,
they led the visitor among oval flower
bods; artificial ponds and shaded ar
bors cvcrywhcre the same neatncss
and good taste prevailed, and told, even
20 the most casual observer, that the
proprietor could not be otherwise than
educated, intelligent and wealthy.
And Mr.. ,Clayviiie, the owner Of this
tasteful residence, possessed all these
qualitcations-nay, even moro. To
these were united benevolenee, Chris
tian philanthropy, unaffected goodness
of heart. The stranger and the house
less wandcrcr ever found welcome at
his door and the needy were never
turncdaway unsatisiied.
Mr.. ClayviIlc was wealthy. In the
height of mercantile prosperity he had
retired from business, and purchased
the neat cottage near the small village.
While preparing TO settle down in the
full enjoyment of life, his beloved wife
and companion was taken from him rs
speedily MS trembling dew-drop is ex-
haled before the morning sun.
business now became more irksome
than before, and with his only child,
Ellen, he lived almost in n hcrmit-likc
scclusiou.
Not that hc had suddenly become n
n misanthropist, but this recent unlock
ed for bereavement had partially do
stroyed his relish for society.
This melancholy soon wore away,
however, and he again appeared occa-
sionly among his friends and rustic
neighbors, chatting freely with them,
and even consulting them in .he laying
out of his grounds around his cottage
Ills time was devoted to the care and
education of his daughter, who being
an only child, was of course pettcd and
humored by an indulgent parent.
One afternoon Mr. Clayvillc sat IN
his library alone. lie was fine speci
men oil gentleman, hale and hearty
though his onco raven locks were NV
slightly sprinklcd with grey.
Ills features were regular and wer,
marked BY spirit of determination
q spirit Of frmnes, mingled with anC
\eoftcaed down by smilc of kindl,
1ccling. lie possessed the rare facult,
Of gaining his ends by a pleasantness 0
manner that was not understood till they
wcre accomplished.
As he sat half dreaming in high
backed chair, in his we'll flied library
his eye kiudled up anew; and his smil,
grew more pleasant rs tho light step o
his daughter was heard through the
hall.
Many said that Ellen was beautiful
and these people spoke the truth. lie
dark hair hanging in ringlets over he
rounded checks, and her still darlxc
eyes pcering from beneath that wrcatl
of curls, won many heart, and ava
kened many thrills of unspol<en love
Then she was beautiful; and had sucl
winning ways that II was impossible
not TO love her.
Truo she was little self.willed; bu
her indulgcnt father good naturedly le
her have her own way, and smiled ava
her peevishness, till Il vergod into tear
and kisses of kindness.
"Fathcr," said she, rs she entered th
apartment, 1--WE have new schoolmas
or at the village school and he wishc
TO board with ns--that the longer walk
may do him more exercise than u noarc
residence. But he must be disappoin
cd, must hc not ?"
''Why p asked tho old man good III
moredly.
because we can live more happil
alone and know that | never can lii
him." she replied half angrily.
'sBut, Nelly, let not that trouble yo
in tho least, replied he. father with OF
of his sweetest smiles. "You need n,
speak 20 him or lock ut him; bcsid,