Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1859-05-07
original.
Written for the Delapare Inquirer.
THE VILLAGE BELLE,
or THE DEFEATED BULLY.

Philip GORDON was tailor. He was al
honest cheerful and industrious man, wei
known, and well thought of by all the PEG
pie OF the little village of Armondale, wherein
he resided.
Mr.. GORDON had daughter, a merry, romp
ing, rosy checked girl of eighteen summers
with plump form, and bewitching grace
that captivated every one with whom sh,
came in contact. She was beloved and ad
mired by all who knew her, and it will there
fore not seem surprising when we say that
she had quite number of suitors.
Prominent among these was one Morton
Baxter, bullying self-conceited braggart
VINO had been paying his addresses to Anna
GORDON, for year or more, and it was gene
rally believed that he was the chosen one
among her host of lovers indeed, it was con-
hdsntly asserted by the gossips that they
were already engaged and, that but q
short time would elapse ere they were to be
united for life, but the older and wiser part OF
the community shook their heads and said
that "Philip Corbon's daughter had too much
good sense to throw herself away on such a
soape-grace as Baxter Be this as it may,
however, he still continued to visit Mr.. Cor
Don's house, and being an adept in the art Of
dissimulation, he completely succeeded in
binding the eyes of both father and daughter,
as to his real character, which he was careful
should never be permitted to display itself in
their presence; so that, Notwithstanding lie
was destitute of every vestige of honor or
morality, yet so completely had he won upon
the affections of the fair girl, that she could
but believe the whole thing to be gross fab
ricstion. But this state of affairs was not
destined TO last forever. circumstance soon
after occurred to dispel the allusion that had
so lOup bepO bovpriuo arn,,nd har
There lived in the village young man. a
carpenter by trade, named Edwin Manders.
he was general favorite among the villagers,
who loved him for his kind heart and pleasing
manners. He was generous to fault, true
friend and an agreeable companion; which
latter fact rendered his presence at the parties,
pic-nics and other social gatherings given by
the young people of the place, indispensable.
1t was on one of those pic-nics that he first
Deheld the face. and form of Anna GORDON.
He was conversing with friend who perceiv-
ing her short distance of, turned suddenly
to Edwin and said in low tone.
g By the way, Manders, there is Miss Cor
bon, the belle of the place. Allow me toEin-
troduoe you.''
With pleasure" replied Edwin, and the
two immediately repaired to the place where
she was, and after the customary forms of in
production had been gone through, Edwin's
fiend went off to another part of the woods,
and the two were left to themselves.
You have not been long resident among
us, believe, Mr.. Manders, Z said Anna.
~ have not, ]" replied the young man, for he
had but recently came into the village "yet,
notwith outstanding, but short time has elapsed
since FIRST l came here, feel almost as much
at home as though had always lived here"
Then, presume, that you find the place
a a Ia ,s,l.
l suppose you have made quite number of
friends here" said Anna
u am happy to say that have" replied |
Edwin, mentioning the names of several
young men whose acquaintance he had
formed. YOU | believe, are a native of Ar |
mondale, Miss GORDON ?"
am" said she, {" was born in the
honse wherein my father now lives. NV |
mother died here, and lies buried in the little |
churchyard near the foot of the lane. am |
familiar With every spot for miles around.
Ny earliest recollections are centered here /;
and feel as though could never be content
awsy from here.''
The conversation was here interrupted by
the appearance of Morton Baxter, who adj
Vanoed to the side of Anna, and, allowing his
Indignation to get the better of his prudence,
and doubtless presuming upon the authority
which he at some future day hoped to exer-
Else over her, said in a tone loud enough to
DO plainly heard by Edwin, who at ~ ...,,..,.
approach retired fr"s the spot and md whom
% AZ the same time regarded with an impu-
lent stare.
Miss GORDON, you appear to be making
rourself very agreeable with the young up
tart, considering you never saw him before
You do not seem to be aware that your CON
tuct Is, in my opinion, very .unladylike in
hus allowing yourself to be entirely carried
way by the destinations of a stranger, as to
'llow your whole attention to be engrossed
~ him in such manner as you have done.
would furthermore inform You that your
Ictions in this affair, are anything but conss-
emit with the rules of propriety. therefore
equest you to keep away from that fellow,
md not to notice him in any manner whatever,
much less to speak to him. .
Why, surely, Morton" said Anna, a
'ainful suspicion at the same time crossing
Ter mind that perhaps rumor had not been
% much at fault in regard to Baxter's char
cter, as she at first supposed, "you cannot
" so selfish as to wish to deprive me of the
privilege of engaging in a few minutes con
'ersation with person because he happens
o be stranger"
Ieprive you of the privilege of chatting with !
very stranger that you take fancy to. AS I
said before, wish you to avoid him alto |
ether. hope you understand me- t
81 understand you perfectly, but cannot
o as you wish, for by so doing l should
doubtless offend Mr.. Manders which do not /
fish to do, for SO long as he has done moth
ng to make us enemies, feel it my duty to /
reat him as friend, for such consider him
Q be.''
friend, indeed sneered Baxter, styou
oon make friends. suppose he has become
eeply enamoured of you during your few
minutes conversation
You do me injustice, Morton, and You are /
liable to injure both Mr.. Manders and myself, ]
y your unjust insinuations. wish you to ]
ear in mind, that am not answerable to /
'ou FOR my conduct, and to govern yourself
ccordingly, for feel that | am capable of ]
hoosing my friends without your assistance
"You do, chr Well, perhaps you are, but
g told you before, wish you to have no
aore to do with that "friend," and moreover. ,
insist upon being obeyed. You will choose /
our friends to suit yourself without regard '
what ! may say, will your Wen see S
bout that, my lady, We'll see," said Baxter /
ow so blinded by anger and jealousy that '
10 seemed to have entirely lost sight OF the c
act that the prize had to be won before he 4
ould call 1t his. :
We will, indeed see,'' said the fair wirl. |
rawing herself up to her full height. the I
leh blood mantling her forehead that you, 1
torton Baxter, will never have it in your i
over to control my actions. | am as VET, ,
hank the fates, free to converse or associate :
nth whom please without consulting your {
pipton as to the propriety of the act. You q
ave this day revealed your character in its q
rue light, Hereafter we will be as strangers /
\ oh nth 10 H. Il