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| w ofered to receive the poor girls, and to retain
BY GOULD, ELWELL, PI
Office Fox Block _ Number 82
‘VOL, XTX.
Ons
Exchange St.
‘))- OTERMS: $150 PER YEAR,
One Dollar for Eight Months, in advance.
he INTO. 80:
-, AN INDEPENDENT FAMILY JOURNAL OF LITERATURE; NEWS; &C.-
PORTLAND, SATURDAY, NOV. 83,1855. 0.
Original Poetry.
‘For the Portland Transcript and Eclectte.
: _ ¥AGATIO J ANIM. . p
. Bavee-ropping at her chamber-door,
1 TjJistened not in vain, |
_And heard my soul say to my soul,—
Throughout our broad domain. 3° e
~- @Yonder Hea Memory’s garden-ground,” "©
Arise, aud thither let us wend
Through ranks ef proud sod perfumed flowers
she took,
oo Untitit hanced she stood beside
os A little shaded nook;
* And then she faitered mnt was fain *
1.» © fo linger and to Loo!
° There crouching in the thickest gloom,
Ana shrinking from the view,
Folding its petals on its Drea
: g lily grew:
Well night voy F soul then pause and look,
. For well that flower she knew,
| Forithad been her dearest care
& “4 When my fond soul was young, —
And in its praise the sweetest lays
1) \y « Her cherishod ones among.
* Ah me, that faint and faded love °°
- } That decked my vanished years;
+. Ab for the joys and hopes that fled »
From thronging cares and fears;
~ Depart, sad soul, from memory’s ne
+ “sMy eyes are dim with tears.
Baltimore, Md. .
“A Good Story.
“THE BLIND” ND HARPIST.
. “Not such: avery long time ago—bat when
¢-there were no railways, when steam-naviga-
tion Was in its infancy, and the electric tele-
graph not even dreamed of—a journey to
Cornwall was quite a formidable undertak-
ing ; while native inhabitants of that county
> Tegarded the more distant portion of the is-
land population in.the light of foreigners.
Fluctuations, however, were as rife then, in
mining « concerns, as they are known to be in
these adventurous days—fortunes were made,
and. fortunes were lost; and when the’ latier
reverse befell Mr. Traber, a great mining
Dioawasa. .
tobear up against calamity, but speedily
sank bencath the blow, leaving three orphan
children totally destitute. Harry, the eldest,
& youth jast about to Jeave school, obtained
~ through tlie influence of friends, an appoint-
ment ina mercantile house in India, whither
he at once repaired. His sisters were consid-
. &ed particularly in Iuck’s way, when a dis-
tant relation, respectably settled in London,
one of them as nursery; governess in her own
& family, providing a similar situation for the |e
Other, Tt was asad parting between the
brother and sisters; for India then seemed a
Yast deal further off than it “appears now,
¢ And faint were the hopes they entertained of
meeting again in this world. And, indeed,
eso three never did meet again ; for Mary,
. the eldest of the two girls, in process of time,
came the wife of a thriving London mer-
chant, and died while their only daughter
» Was still'a child.” Ethct Traher, Harry’ ’s fa-
Vorite sister, also became .& wife; but her
Marriage displeased her relation, ‘who pro-
Rounced her positive conviction, that so pret-
‘ya creature might have done far’ better—
Mary—or Mrs. Danvers, as she ought to be
called—more than joined in the displeasure
Sccasioned by Ethel’s matrimonial’ choice ;
4nd not only cherished anger and anforgive-
Ress in her own breast, but instilled the same
feelings into the mind of her husband, and
Mordaunts.” Letters from Harry were few
and far between; but he was prospering ;
though fortunes, in India, he said, were not
made so quickly as they sometimes were in
their own dear native Cornwall.
For some Mr. Mordaunt,. Ethel’s
by teaching drawing, contrived, by dint of un-
ceasing industry, to suppol bis delicate and
ailing wife in comfort gi nofxit affluence.—
Ethel also bi ht hge ly sbgnd one child. a
fair daughter" ama ptr ‘herself, whose
sweet affectionate disposition endeared her to
both parent’s hearts, and made amends to
“| ber mother for the loss of a sister’s counte-
nance and love., With deep emotion howey-
er, Mrs, Mordaunt readin the public prints
the announcement of this unforgiving sister’s
decease ; she yearned to clasp the mother-
‘| less girl, her neice and Etty’s cousin, to her
bosom. , But so decided had been the rebuffs
of Mr. Danvers, that honest pride and self-
respect would. not permit one of the family
to approach therich man’s door, Miss Dan-
vers reigned supreme there, the spoiled child
of luxury and indulgence—proud, arrogant,
and unfeeling, but strikingly handsome in
"| person and agreeable in manner. She did
not even know where the Mordaunts were to
be found—she made it a matter cf conscience
to cut all such disgraceful connections, and
the more particularly as they were resident
in the same city. >
Since the death of Mrs. Danvers, Harry
had not written home ; long illness might ac-
count for this, press of business, or the inert-
ness occasioned by, the climate; or, it might
be, that no longer having his own sisters to
correspond with, 2 absence caused forgetful-
nds, and he did“not’ care to. see the hand-
writing of the new generation,’ Hence the
name of “Uncle Terry” was seldom men-
tioned, cither by the dashing Miss Danvers,
or by the quiet pale girl Etty Mordaant,
whose young life was passed in tending her
now afflicted mother. . Ere middle age had
dimmed the lustre of her eyes, or changed a
single dark hair to white, poor Mrs.. Mor-
daunt lost the use of her limbs through par-
alysis, and Etty saw. the sunshine of this
world through the haze of a sick-room. Yet
had they much to be thankfal for; and acon-
tented happy family they were. ‘They rent-
ed the upper part of a small house in a gen-
tecl street; and Mr, Mordauat’s pupils were
»| principally in the vicinity, with the excep-
tion of some schools in the suburbs. His
emolument was certain and regular} and al-
g | though he had frequently complained of a
singular weakness ip his eyes, attended by
some pain, no serious apprehension of dan-
ger had disturbed the drawing-master’s seren-
ity of mind. All his leisure time was deyot- | a)
ed to the improvement of Etty’s docile mind.
She learned everything readily save drawing
—that'she could not manage; and her fath-
er, haf injest, half in earnest,. shook. his
head, and called it a “deficiency of intellect Fd
and Etty herself, the gentlest and most ham-
ble-minded of human beings, Jamented. this
“deficiency,” because it vexed her dear fath-
er., But, as if to make amends for the want
she deplored, nature had gifted Etty with a
remarkably fine .voico—thrilling, rich, and
melancholy.’ :A harp, which was her poor
mother’s only relic of better days, stood in
one , corner of their sitting-room; and not
only had Etty learned to, accompany -her
voice on this old harp very. respectably, but
Mr. Mordaunt also. was @ performer; and
what with his brilliant touch and Etty’s
sweet warbling, these humble fenily con-
certs were quite delightful. :
Mr, Mordaunt had never hitherto consent-
ed to receive pupils at his own home, not lik-
ing this infringement, of domestic’ privacy ;
but on the urgent solicitation of a former pu-
pil, who had materially benefited by’ his in-
structions, Mr, Mordaunt’ waved his obfec-
tions, and gave a few lessons, always in the
evening, toa young man whose Peculiar cir-
cumstances prevented the reception of amas-
even aang her child to look down on “the
ter in his father’s dwelling. . This youth was
the second son of Mr. Rutherford, the. sen-
ior partner of Mr, Danvers.; Mr. Ruther-
ford was not only a keen: man: of business,
but so miserly in his habits and pursuits,
that although he had. but two motherless
sons, and had already amassed an immense
fortune, he gradged them all participation in
the pleasures and luxaries of life, and kept
them chained to the desk from morning till
night. . This kind of plodding existence suit-
ed well with the disposition and -habits of
the elder brother, who resembled his father
in. all respects; but Herbert the younger
brother, was of a. higher character, and al-
though a dutifulson, and tolerably steady
and industrious, he felt bitterly the want of
a happy home.
At the house of Mr, Danvers, their fathe
er’s partner, both young men always found 4
cordial welcome ; indeed, it was the first wish
of Mr. Danver’s heart to see his only daugh-
ter united to John Rutherford, whose talents
for business and money-making rendered
him so very desirable as a partner for life.
John had no objection to. the young lady ;
she was much the same to him as young la-
dies in general; and he thought it would be
a good plan thus to cement the union of the
firm of Rutherford, Danvers & Co. :
Laura Danvers, however, had a strong
will of her own; and although she would
willingly have changed her name to Rather-
ford, it was notes “Mrs. John,” but as “Mrs.
Herbert.” But although Herbert Ruther-
ford bestowed the full meed of admiration on
the beautiful Laura, as gallantry, demanded,
his heart continued untouched, and his fan-
cy uncaptivated. There was a vein of deep
feeling and romance in Hexbert’y nature, con-
cealed benesth a reserved exterior, which re-
quired to be eroused by a far different nature
than that of Laura Danvers.‘ Since he had
left school, his taste for drawing had been un-
cultivated ; but on seeing the progress made
by his friend under Mr. Mordauut’s auspices,
the slumbering taste revived, and Herbert
succeeded in persuading .Mr.; Mordaunt to
grant him a small portion of time, snatched.
from the hours of domestic ; leisure.” Mr.
Rutherford, sympathizing in no intellectual
culture or accomplishment, would have scout-
ed the idea of a drawing-master for “the
grown-up boy Master Herbert,” and certain-
ly would, have grudged the cost of lessons,
Hence, the permission given to, Herbert by
Mr. Mordaunt, of a weekly visit to his pri-
yate retreat, where the presence of the ” wife
and daughter was no hindrance to study,
their silence, while Etty pursued her oceupa-
tion of needle-work, remaining on these oc-
casions unbroken. After the first, slight in-
troduction, Herbert instinctively felt that no
roach toa more familiar footing would
be permitted by Mr, Mordaunt or the ladies ;
his presence was a check to social intercourse ;
Etty demurely composed herself to fulfill an
appointed task, like a girl in school-hours ;
and Mrs. Mordaunt was absorbed with abook,
Nevertheless, Etty soon ascertained that the
young stranger was good-looking, and had a
very agreeable yoice when , addressing her
father ; pay, she learned the color of his eyes,
and thought them the, most penetrating and
expressive dark eyes in the world. ; Herbert
also. though busied from the moment of his
entrance with the single: purpose for which
he was there, yet found opportuntty to re-
mark the graceful: outline of the tall slight
form, ever. bending over needle-work ; and
to detect the fact, that Etty’s eyes were of
the softest loveliest violet color, shaded by
silken fringes ; and that in Etty’s long gold-
en ringlets a kind of sunshine seemed to lin-
ger, though little of sunshine ever penetrated
the close atmosphere she inhaled. Tferbert,
being a quick observer, remarked also the old
harp in the comer, and the flowers tastefully
disposed ,in baskets ; he saw, too, how often
Mrs. Mordaunt’s glance was earnestly and
anxiously fixed on her daughter, when she
seemed to be engaged with the page open be-
fore her. .
‘ These drawing lessons had continued |
s.°| ing relative, Miss Danvers 7”,
without interruption for :some. weeks, and
Herbert frequently looked. in at Mr. Dan-
yers’s,. but withont mentioning the progress
he was making in art—and of course, the
name. of Mordaunt was never mentioned
there—when the drawing-master’s increased
weakness of sight obliged him to give up
several of bis pupils, Herbert among: the
number. . Wainly the young man strove to
find some pretext fot continuing his visits at
more distant intervals: all his friendly over-
tures were received so coldly by Mr. Mor-
daunt, who was a proud man in his way,
that Herbert dared not persist, fearing to
wound the feelings he so much respected. He
thought of the sick mother, and. sweet Etty,
both dependent on one whose afiliction might
eventually incapacitate -him from: working to
support these dear and feeble beings. But
Herbert was a stranger, and Mr. Mordaunt
was not a man.to encourage or foster the
sympathy, of whose outward expression only
he felt sure.
ple remark, so innocently made’ by the
speaker, and replied in some confusion ; “Ob
Ibclieve we have relations’ who' came from ”
Cornwall; but I suppose they are dead or --
abroad, as we know nothing of them..'But'.:
I’ve always heard Uncle Harry :was a. true
Cornishman in his Jocal attachments; but I~
hope we may succeed in reconciling him to *
remain amongst us, poor lonely old man!’ '»
“Poor lonely old man !” thought Herbert, +i
with a suppressed smile; “ick lonely ola Vis
man, or he would not be welcome here!” *
John Rutherford’s attentions to the beduti-
fal Miss Danvers had become more marked :: .
and assiduous since Uncle Harry’s arrival ins vy
his native land. - Miss Danvers was the na-
bob’s nearest, nay, probably, his only living: »
known relative, and it was high time to se-\!;
cure the hand of his niece, But John was.)
pradent, and liked to feel his way, until the: |
time seemed ripe for the experiment; so he .';
contented himself by paying his devoirs at--!
tentively to the lady of his love, and by re-
It seemed, indeed, as ‘if fate was adverse
to Herbert’s wish tobe on more friendly or
intimate terms with his, former master; for
ain interval of time bad elapsed, which to the
young man appeared considerable, on calling
at the door one day to inquire after the health
af the family, he found they had ‘removed,
and no one could sort him the slightest clue
to their whereabou! te fo
4 Dy m afeard,” said. the fat landlady, “that
the poor gen’lam will get into great distress,
though he owed me nothing,and always paid
mé reg’lar ‘a3 clockwork. , But, he,.was too
honest to. stay where he couldu’t see bis way
clear, poor gen’lam ; and I'don’t much think
hewill see his way ‘clear for long,anyhow ; for
his eyes failed him utterly;afore he went;
and that failure of his blessed eyes was the
cause of his leaving these elegant apartments,
because he was oblecged to give ap his poo-
pils.; And I don’t know what they will do,
that I don’t; for Missis Mordaunt was help-
less, and Miss Etty just like one of the lilies
she were so fond. of nursing—casily . broke
down, Z should say, byan angry wind. How-
somever, I’m very sorry for them ; but we've
all troubles of our own, and I’ve my share,
Lassure you, sir; ; and you look as if you
hadn’t been without your own share, too, sir;
though you haven’t seen so many years by
half as I have.”, a -
| Herbert sighed as he farmed away from whe
quiet street, after making several fruitless in-
quiries concerning the objects of his interest,
Sight failed, and pupils. given up !—what
would become of them?, Whore . had the
poor family. gone to hide their distress from
the gaze « of the “world ?, That sweet, gentle,
loving young git]—that pale, sinking moth-
er—the silent, uncomplaining father and hus-
band, whose every glance towards those de-
pendent creatures bespoke deep affection and
tenderness? Oh, it was, deplorable ; and
Herbert determined to persevere in his'search
and to assist them as far as he was able, for
Mr, Mordannt must permit him to be a friend
now, - But the former pupils, of whom Her-
bert knew sufiicient to hazard inquiries, could
give him no intelligence of Mr... Mordaunt’s
movements : they only knew his loss of sight
had deprived them, of an able. master ; and | ™
they concerned themselves no more about the
matter, except by saying that it was a heavy
calamity to befall so good and industrious a
man.
? For mavy 'y months, Herbert Rutherford had
visited at the. house, of Br. Danvers more
rarely than of yore; Miss Danvers smiling-
ly upbraiding him for his absence, but wel-
coming him charmingly when he tame. Her
father had heard from Uncle Harry, who had
returned to England with an enormous for-
doubled energy and perseverance in business, -;
win the favor and approval of Me Dan- ',
Herbert, on the contrary, had been .-
absent ‘and indolent’ of inteneetean about © v
ledgers, and incorrect in calculations of im- ;,
portance. , The image of the; young sweet ;
girl and her suffering mother absolutely -.
haunted him; what. could ,have become of ';
them when ,the. bread-winner was struck ,,
down ? * Etty’s pensive loveliness had made, |
indeed, a deep and lasting impression on the
young man’s fancy ; and those evenings de-:.”
voted to the drawing-lessous—although no
words were spoken between‘ them—were re-
called as the most cherished memories of his
heart, .
‘ Unele Harry was ‘received by Mr. Danvers) } »
and Laura with the empressment due toa
bachelor Indian relative with lacs -of rupees 6
at his disposal ; but Uncle Harry was fidget
ty and ill at ease, and almost his first ques-
tion was about poor Ethel,.- IIe. had been ta.»
their native place in the hope of. finding her ; «) _
and he could scarcely believe it possible that j is
Mr, Danvers and Laura knew not where she 1”
was, .They spoke of disgrace and vexation, |;
and hinted their certainty that, Mrs., Mor--}:
daunt must be dead; or no doubt, if other- ;;
wise, they would haye been applied to long;
ago. Poor relations who had behaved shame-: {
fully always found out rich ones, and never +
ceased pestering them with begging letters.”’.,..
'*Y think you may rest satisfied, Uncla-.
Harry,” said Miss Danvers, “that my late:
mother’s sister is no more ; for, depend upon: !
it, if she had left children, or had herself liv-- +
ed (for of course they were poor,) we should. 1
bave heard from them quickly enough.” ou”
‘But Uncle Harry did not rest satisfied even 4
with this lucid explanation given by hisbeau- « .
tiful. niece; and, moreover, the sallow but.':
healthy nabob quietly informed Mr, Danvers: ,
that he thought it would be as well to in-. +
sert an advertisement ina leading paper,in ;
order to discover poor Ethel, either dead or,
alive... It was monstrous, suggested «Mr, °
Danvers, alsolutely mgnstrous to make’ the
thing so public; bufremonstrance was vain,
for Uncle Harry was obstinate, , and might |
not be ‘offended with impunity; so the us, 4
most, Mir, Danvers and; Laura, gould effect,
was to persuade him to wait for a few days,.,
when, meantime, Paraie ‘navies, thoula bey
set on fO0te ry ope =
'Mr. Traher was ina — to ‘return to,
Cornwall; he had determined on: purchas-
ing an estate there, and settling down for the f
remainder of his days. He detested Lon-~-
don and seemed quite proof against all the. i
blandishments lavished on him by the beauti- ;
fol Laura. He did not say how unnatural .;
he thought them all, for deserting poor ia a
F
tane, and who was coming to visit. them, af-
terthe chagrin and disappointment he had
experienced i in Cornwall from finding all his
relations dispersed or dead. aes
‘ ] understood, or imagined,” said Her-
bert, “that you were Dir.* ‘Traher’s only liy-
Miss Danvers blushed scarlet at this” sim-
but he looked and acted it; and Miss D:
vers could scarcely conceal ber spite and i
dignation—her only hope being in the belief |
that Mrs. Mordaunt bad really passed. avay *
from the earth. But, worse than all,
tiresome, fidgety Uncle Harry bad spoken
of the poor Mordaunts before Herbert ; and
Herbert had started and blushed, and seem-,,
&.
