Indiana American, Volume 6, Number 52, Brookville, Franklin County, 28 December 1838 — Page 1
OCR COUNTRY OUR COUNTRY IJITEREST AND OUR COUNTRY'S FRIENDS.
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A TACE.
From the Lady'i Book THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER. BY IKS. CAROLINE LEE HK5TZ. (coxTinrED.)
"Let her go. then," said the father, 4ibut if
the comes back to us, sorrowing, 1 shall forever rue this day." William's family departed after a few days. It was arranged that Rachel should follow them so soon as Ihey were settled in their new home. A stage passed every week bj their own door, into the citj and the ex-
Ejnse of the journey would be trifling. Poor achel! into what an ocean of perplexities
was she plunged. Her simple wardrobe was
ransacked and all its secret riches dragged
forth to the light. The hoarded treasutes of
the whole household were called into lequi
sition. The generous Lydia deprived herself
of ever j ornament to add to her sister a little store. She took her best Sunday frock and
fitted it to her sister's more slender shape.
She would listen to no remonstrances. She said, and said truly, that they were of little value in her eyes, till she found they could
add to the happiness of another. Her spiiit
soared above the decorations of time, flutter-
ins for those robes, which never know the . a ii r
changes oi lasmon, nor toe larnisn oi time. "Mr sister will return to us," said she lo her
self, as she continued her labors of love,afier
she. for whom sue wrought, was wrapped in
tho arms of sleep. "Site will come back, like the dove to the ark for never will her soul
find rest in a cold and hollow world. Hear
en keep her uncorrupted, and guard her from
the temptations into which she may be leu.
If the thoughts and language of Lydia,
seem above her station, let it be remembered
that she was the daughter of a scholar and a gentleman, who, in the midst of all his labors, cherished his books as holy relics, and resorted to them, in his hours of rest, as fountains of living waters, refreshing the way-fairing man in the wilderness of life. Lydia was
her father's own child her mind was imbued
with the light of his, which she reflected with
a softened lustre on all around her. He lov
ed his children equally, but with very differ
ent emotions, oo arm was bis reliance on Lvdia's principles, had he seen her in any
ordeal, however terrible, he would have been
sure that like the children in the hery fur
nace, she would be angel-strengthened and
delivered, but he trembled for Rachel, all the time that he loved her. She was all impulse
all passion She was the pet lamb, that
never vet had been suffered to stray from the
fold. Sometimes he blamed himself for his
permission for the departure; at others he felt
that it was well a character like her s should be put to the test, and the dross separated
from the gold. There was one true nnd lion
est heart that throbbed with secret anxiety
and anguish, as he beheld the preparations
going on at the house ol farmer Havens
and that was Reuben Hastings. He felt
if there was a wall of separation about to be
raised between Rachel and himself that would divide them forever: they had so long been the dwellers of the same valley, the
sharers of the same pleasures, the worshippers
in the same sanctuary, that she was identified with the very air he breathed, nay, with the vitality that burned within him. It was the night previous to her departure. It was a Sabbath night. For more than a year Reuben had been accustomed to pass the evening of that hallowed day at Rachel's home amply recompensed for the toils of the week, by the gladdening smiles that greeted him there. But the smiles were gone this night.
It was a strange thins to see Rachel's radi-
ben. The parting kiss of -her - lover was
breathed upon I er lips, w hile the spirit that
dictated the solemn asseveration was vet
warm and glowing there. The compact was a sacred one and attested by holy witnesses.
the moon and the stars, and all the hosts off
i
leaven. . .
Early the following morning the family
were assembled, listening fo "the warning
sound of the horn, blown by -the stage driver.
Rachel mother took her aside a few mo
ments, and putting a little purse into her
hands, said, "J know, my dear child, you will
ave many little wants all that I have been
able to save is. contained in this. If your
uncle is very kind you will hardly need it. 1 intended it as a wedding present, when vou
married Reuben- but take It and use it as
you will, and a another's blessing with it."
Lydia too, had appropriated lo her sister the
Contents of her slender purse, the savings of I t.. !.. L-J l; J -r t
tier uwm uiuusirj, uui sue uau siippea ii uuperceived in a corner of her trunk, that she
might escapehef gratitude or her scruples.
Rachel felt almost broken-hearted at this parting. The "journey itself seemed stupen
dous lo her inexperience, the terrofpf ab
sence intc rminablc. When her father last
of all bade her farewell, when he laid his
hand upon her head, with that Impressive and
Ileclionate manner peculiar to himself, and
said, "God bless thee, my daughter," she was so much overcome, 6he actually knelt before
him, petitioning tor another blessing.
Lt not the gay Hutlerer, or idle sauntcrer
Irom city lo city, from clime to clime, smile at the solemnities accompanying this simple
journey, lo a young female, brought up in
the seclusion of the country, who has never
left the shelter of the paternal roof, there is
something exceedingly awe-inspiring in the
anticipation ol a visit to a great metropolis.
It was a greater event lorKachel to.visit her
rich cousin, than it would have been for her cousin to start fcr transatlantic shores.
It would be tedious to follow our young
rustic step by step in the opening of her new
career. ee became gradually accustomed
fo the new splendor that surrounded her, and was even getting reconciled to be waited up
on by others, the most awkward and painful
She com
mitted a thousand little imDroDriet.es. of
which she was perfectly unconscious, till the rising laugh or whispered remark warned her
of her offence. She did not know that it
was rude to refuse to drink a glass of wine with a gentleman, if she did not wish it, or to ask what o'clock it was when she was wearv
in company, but such was her extreme beauty, that the Yery rusticity of her manners
seemed but to make her the more attractive.
It was the first care of Matilda to supply her wardrobe with many little fashionable etceteras of her own, which Rachel looked upon as magnificent gifts. Matilda was a kind hearted, thoughtless girl, who perceived the admiration which her beautiful cousin excited with comparative indifference, as she was on the eve of marriage herself with a young and wealthy planter. She would have been far more liberal of her presents, if she had dared, but her father's parsimony did not al
low her the means. He would lavish thousands in an ostentatious manner, to dazzle
the eyes of the public, but he requested a strict account of every penny spent in private. Matilda sometimes trembled lest he snutd dis
cover the trifling ornaments with which she
from time to time decoiated Rachel, and re
buke her for her prodigality, but as long as
she made no unusual demands on his purse,
he was not roused "to particular scrutiny.
Ue was satisfied that his brother's daughter should be with them, as it was a kindness that cost him nothing, and it looked well in the
eyes oi the world. But to open his purse to clothe her, as became his niece, and guest, he
would as soon have coined his heart s "blood
for drachms." A single anecdote will illus
Irate his character. The family were taking
an excursion of pleasure a few miles from the i
Time glided away so rapidly, fhe winter was commenced before Raihcl was aware the autumnal vines which twined around her parent's door must be leafless' and dry. Strange as it may seem, she now wrote to
them, to plead for a longer visit. It ii true site presented powerful reasons,' but. then her. heart wrs in them that affectionate heart which seemed to break with grief at parting, was already fas, losing its simplicity and love of nature. Her imagination was dazzled by the new life she was leading, her senses intoxicated by the flatteries that were-poured into her ear. x Shr always knew site was handsome for the fond eyes of her mother when they turned on her, the softened ex
pression of her father's countenance, and the deep worship of Reuben Ilasting's looks, had
long ago convinced her that she carried about with her a kind of fairy charm. But the
small lookingfrlass that hung in her own room
could hot give back the full image'of her per
fections. JNowshe could look upon herself
from nead to foot in the large mirrors that
adorned her uncle's drawing room or In other
lasluonable'Saleons, and blush and marvel at
her own loveliness. - She could compare herself with others and sec and feel her own transcendency. The beautiful Rustic," as she was called, was acquiring every day more of the grace of the fashionable world, and in consequence losing something of her "original biightucss,"--that brightness of the soul, that lustre of truth, goodness and sensibility, for which no artificial polish can indemnify.
She still loved her home, and every night be-
lore sne closed ocr eyes, dazzled by the glare
of the evening, she thought of the Barents.
whose prayers she knew were nightly ascending for her, the sister, whose letters lo her were such treasures of wisdom and love and of Reuben, too nnd then she often laid her head on the pillow nnd wept. She remembered her solemn promise, and felt as if she were aheady perjured in heart. His remembrance thus became painful, accompanied with self-reproach, and she tried to forget him. ' It will be remembered that Rachel's mother gave her a purse, containing a sum, which to her inexperience seemed a mine of inexhaustible wealth, it so far exceeded any she had ever possed before upon this she had not, as yet very largely drawn, for it seemed almost sacrilege to her to waste a parent's earnings for the decorations of fashion. Her sister's present too, which she found enclosed in the Bible's sacred leaves, she vowed should be as secred as the volume itself. She little thought the remarkable expression she had so
often heard her ftther read irom those divine pages, "Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?" would ever be applied lo herself. The first time she accompanied her cousin
in shopping, she made some little purchase
for herself, but before taking the article she
enquired the price. When they returned
Matilda laughed excessively at the rusticity, and begged her not lo expose herself in that
way again.' Rachel noticed too, with won
der, that Matilda would make purchases with
out any payment, tier nsiomsnment was
another source of mirth to Matilda. "Oh! I
never trouble myself about that," said she,
father always calls for the bills and settles them, and 1 assure you he never allows them
to ask too mue'l." Thus Rachel unfortunate
ly learned lhat it was vulgar to ask the price of an article beforehand, nnd unfashionable
to pay for it at the time it was purchased.
She began too, to be ashamed of wearing the same dresses 60 often, when she saw others
appearing at every new party in a new and spleudid dress. She was ashamed also of wearing Matilda's cast off finery. She found it necessary to be of some cost to entertain her beauty, and therefore became a frequent purchaser of fashionable trifles. There was to be a party given by some great lady, for
which unusual preparations were making, for it was in honor of some great man. Matilda
fiing additional expense, which Matilda de
clared was indispensible. Shoes and cloves.
corresponding, were also indispensible. In-
Ulci-d Rachel found that the frork wag but a
small part of a completely elegant costume. She felt some sad misgiving of conscience.
when she first Jirred herself in garments so
unwonted, but the heightened splendor of her
beauty,soon exerted its reconciling influence. Though she had not so far forgotten hex vowto Reuben, ns to pledge herself lo another, her imagination acknowledged n decided preference in favor of one of her many admirers. . Mr. R , was distinguished for his talents, high-breeding nnd reputed wealth.
His manners and conversation were fascinating; the latter was deeply imbued with the etherlal spiiit of poetry, and warmed with a glow of passion, irresistible to the ardent mind of Rachel. She listened una1 admired she felt as if a new creation were beaming around her. He bad never talked lo her of marriage, therefore she could not reject him, nnd say, "am engaged to Reuben Hastings"
Satisfying her conscience with this species of
iiuciiiy, 6iiu ma not turn a deaf ear to the vague expressions of love and adoration lhat
loll from his insidious tongue. It was he who whs to be her escort to the parly, on which she had wasted so many anxious thoughts.
I tic evening was arrived she stood bv Lis
side in her uncle's drawing room waiting for her cousin, who had not quite completed her
luuci. i ne unuru Maae ol the fire fight, and the lamps on the mantle piece fell full unon
her person, relieved by the rich drapery of
me ueep crimson WitiJow-curt.-iiiis b-liiiH
T w..
A stranger was announced and before she
was aw are of his entrance, spell bound. as die
was, by the low words of her companion
. m
Keuben Hastings was before her. She star
ted with an exclamation almost amounting to
a s!inek,gave one involuntary spring forward to meet him, then stopped and remained immovable as marble. Reuben loo stood fixed to the spot, gazing upon her with a most extraordinary expression of countenance, w hile
Mr. K , looked from one to the other in silent amazement: a dark cloud tratherine
over his handsome, but haughty features.
ueunen lor n moment believed, that his senses deceived him,and thai the dazzling figure before him, was a vision of his imagination and not his own beauteous but simnlp rnuuirt
girl and no wonder, for his unsophisticated
eye had never before rested on a form clothed in the luxuriance of fashions ' Instead
of the unadorned while, which was once her beet attire, her robe was of ft tissue transpa
rent as the web of a gossamer, the glitter of
sau ii iu us reaunuant lolds, lite body shaded with decorating lace. The neck over which he had always seen the modest kerchief, had now no other covering than some light Silvery gauze that floated over its whiteness, like mist on New England's snowg. Artificial blossoms were bound lound her shining locks a glow of unnatural excitement burned on the roses of her cheek. "Oh! Rachel is it yout" The words burst from him almost unconsciously. He did not approach her he would as soon have thought of touching a goddess, ns the hand encased in lhat soft kid glove. She tried to speak shctried to smile and failing in the effort, burst inio tears. "Who is this impertinent intruderf' said Mr. R- , in low disdainful voice to Rachel, "nllnw nm In '
"Oh, stop!" cried Rachel, "he is a vcrv
particular fuend of my father's. My father
my mother Reuben are they well! And
Lydia, too speak! Reuben what brought
you here!" Evcrv feeling w as lost in unde
fined alarm. She pressed forward, and catch
ing hold of his arm, looked up in his face,
with eyes that would lain pierce into hie
soul.
was assisted into the carriage, and seated at the side of Mr. R., before the full reality ef ' what had pas-cd riUed her mind.. Matilda, who recked not of the injured heart, her guiding folly had tori u red almost, fo madness, rallisd Rachel so unmercifully about her country bean, lhat Mr. R. beg-n lo despise himself for feeling jealous of so mean an ob
ject. He recovered his sunny humor, and
exerted hi powers of fascination so successfully, that Rachel yielded again to their influence and hushed for a time the self-accusing spirit in her bosom. Admired and caressed, receiving incerse from nil. and con
stant devotion from one, was she happier that
iiigm, in i:cr iii-foiicnt iuicry,than when she - .
moea in ner nauve village, in simplicity and
on iiiieM.nappy in u;e ncmage of one uptight cart? Those who 6aw her there in the
uiiJxt of that gay.scene. might have imagined so; but coald they have beheld her after the
midnight hour, sitting by the smouldering en bcrs the lamp dim and unsnafTed befbre ber her coFlly raiments thrown unheeded on a"
c hair her cheek drooping on her trembling hand they would have - wondered at the transformation. A letter was spread opon her lap for Reuben had sent a packet during her absence, w hich he had brought from her Ijome, commissioned to his care, with n thousand messages of love. The one she had
just been reading was from her father on
one passage her eyes remained rivitcd. "And one thin j. my beloved child, forget not jour (rue friend, Reuben, nor leant to regard him less, because he may not dress as finely, nor make as fine a bow as the coxcombs that haunt the houses of the wealthy. He is the sou of my heart, nnd well dcpervcs your love. He is unhappy at your long silence. - He says he cannot live longer without seeing you. -He is come to bear to you our blessings and regrets. Will")ou not return with him, my child. I fear much, lest in the great world where you now dwell, some canker may blight the gourd I have pLnted,and beneath whose
green shaile my old ge still hopes to rest."
-Aly laiherl oh, mv father!" repeated Ihe
remorse-stricken girl, "why did 1 ever leave
out But 1 will return to your arm?. I will f
eg lor nriibcii s forgiveness. I will ack- -
now ledge all my vanity and folly. He is nil
that is kind and good. 1 he mornin? shall
xpiate Ihe sins of this night." But Reuben came not with the morning
sun-beams, to receive the expiatory offering
of penitence. His was not a spirit made to
Ue bruised and trampled upon to be cat
aside by a fickle, though idolized beauty. tr- . i- - - -
ue whs conscious oi ins own worth, and would have died rather than, remind her of her broken troth. Heseul her a note, containing -these fewword- and they were all. .Rachel you are free free as air. You promised
to remcmoer me w hile you remembered your Creator. - I forgive you for forgetting me but I pray Ihce, forget not .him. Reuben.'r
(CONCXCDED NEXT WEEK.)
was a strange thiue
ailt faoa an nl an. I et-rinilS. WTiafpVPr TAT
turcshe felt at first in the contemplation of city. Some interruption in the road induced had au elegant new dress for ihe occasion,
her visit, as the reality approached, sorrow at them to leave Ihe carriage and walk a short Dartino-wWK rl.i;rtn. nn.l friend so kind, distance. Mr. Haven had a peculiar habit
welled her heart and dimmed her eyes. of opening his pocket book, when he was When Reuben rse to take leave,she follow- walking or riding, examing its con'ents very
without
ed him t ih. rh hn mirht assure him I deliberately, then closing it again
onr r k ' nJnP and nfTVrtionJ an v apparent purpose. On this occasion he
Hand in hand they walked sileutly to the unconsciously dropped a bit of silver; a poor formed n little ragged boy, who was sauntering by the
deep and symmetrical arch. The moon, par- way side, picked it ap, and running after tially veiled in clouds, shed a doubtful lustre him, said the gentleman had last some money,
over their figures, as they stood beneath Uus mat nc nau ioumi. -1 imu s iiuutn muc wch, which had often been the tristing spot fellow," exclaimed Mr. Haven, and put the
1 vfiff. Imoncv nth ereat satisfaction in Ins own
Wnil,i uj llntl. cn Docket. The little boy turned round. Ka-
-- U.IU HCItl poiltv,. C, , , , , , ,1 Pilv thcl who bad lingered a little uclmui to gam
is, the cold breath r the world should pass cr some wild flowers, saw him pass the back btightinW ik.. w.thorinir the sweet of his hand 6ver his eyes to hide the tear of
flowers of confidence and love. "Rachel," disappointment, and hurt and indignant at t I honesty's being so ill-rewarded, she drew from
lrainedly, unable to say farewell "1 believe her own purse apiece equivalent in value,
jvu in vi m nM. ..M.-ff mi ir ita prp rnni niui.ii ou- ciiumui io onv
..II t O J . V . 1 . I I 1 . . . Mt.A nnmnJ trt
. Rut if amonff the rich lo nis nanu. uui ner uuuc, mm em
tell
me
nlliAririeA Mut it imnntr
and great, you find another, whom you can have scented the silver, turned round just in love beller than me, let not jour promise lo time to witness the act. His cold bright eye 11 limn Uleamed on her for a moment with a look
be free, were it to cost me try life." which she did not understand, but which she ""Oh! never, dear Reuben, never!" exclaim- trembled to meet. Ever impulsive, she did edR:irKoi :,u k. ir-t..ra nnt ronliniT. not reflect what a cutting rebuke she had
"frrmU - e. i . r.ihr nnri rimnkim. If it had been the last cent she
raotl.o- nnj .i . ii,-.. " Thn had in the world, she would have parted will
ttasnint ho. n...;nn.icl inthr.nndl it. when she saw the poor boy's disappointed
' tinffi.n k.i- ;n tl iKn rlnr mnnn-1 countenance. Her uncle made no remark
she vowed while she remembered her upon her conduct, but he remembered it, not
'vor, to keen htr plighted faith to Keu- the less.
I i n 1 1 xt'ielipfl mnct rurnrctlr Ihnf cha n rrn nrS.
vileged lo present one to Rachel. She was
determined, however, in some way to accomii 1 i 1 i- - 1 .1 . :r n
pusu ncr aesire. one ocucveu, mat 11 iachel were to make a bill beyond her means of cancelling, her Hither, though he might be
somewhat angry would not hesitate to pay it. She did not dare actually to advise it, but she
threw out every hint she could to lead her
mind to, the right train. She told her shei must open her purse for once nnd not be so over economical. It was but a mere trifle after all. She accompanied her to the most fas!. ioiiable store, she spread the goods before
her, and urged upon her taste the most beautiful and exquisite textures. Unable to resist the temptation, and convinced of the ab
solute necessity ot the thing, Kachcl ordered
a dress, without being aware that it was 01
the most expensive kind in the vocabulary
of fashion. Ihe next care was to place u in
th hands of a fashionable mantua maker. - It
was in vain that Rachel pleaded her own
ability to cut it from one tf Matilda's Ihe
inconsiderate girl assured her it would never
be tit to be seen, lhat it would cost but a rn-
JiV, and that it'would be a sin to spoil so beaukiful an article in making. Again Rachel
yielded sgainsl her belter judgement, perhaps secretly glad of au excuse to gratify her
own wishes.
' The dress came at the appointed lime,
from the' hands of the mantua maker, superb
ly trimmed with thread & ce and satin, a frt-
"Thcnre well all well! what brought
mc here, Rachel It is no matte.-, ; now Farewell!" lie turned round,, casting 1
glance at Mr. R., as proud and haughty as
bis own; but the simple word "Keuben. ut
tered in a low beseeching tone, brought him
nacK. At this embarrassing moment, Matil
da entered. She immediately recollected the
young farmer, shook hands with exceeding cordiality; introduced him to Mr. R.; inquired after her nncle. aunt, and cousin, and invited
him to accompany them to the Party, almost
in one breath. Then, without waiting lo
hear his replies, she begged Rachel lo go in
lo the next room w ith her, loelaspher brace
lets and ear-rings drawing her away will;
tier, all the time she was speaking.
"iNow Kachel," said she, ns soow r.s Ih
door was closed, "do not 'think of d
ridiculous a thing.as to remain ut home. 1 feared you would promise it, and spirited yon off in lime. You would be the laughing stock of the town. What would Mr. R. think I What would every body tbinkt You must forget all your rustic nonsense and moonlight romance. It will never do here; you can see him to-morrow, next day. Come I w ill explain every thing to him."" Bewildered, and almost passive, Rachel
suffered Matilda to "explain every thing to
A River ox Fire. It can no longer be
doubted that the Alabaminns Are walking up,
as it will appear, ny me toiiowing article, that
they have succeeded in setting their principal river on fire: . .
The Tombigbtf liiveron firs. While Mr. J. .,
M, Cooper was prosecuting the removal of .
MiGrew's Shoals, after boring Jo the depth
cf 375 fei-t, his auger suddenly dropped and
entirely disappeared. In the space. o some, several minutes a deep hollow sound was
eard resembling the rumbling noise of dis
tant thunder from the chasm below, and at the tamo instant gushed-forlh from the shaft
thus made, a clear, transparent, oleaginous
substance or liquid, w hich boils up very similar to the effervescence of a boiling pot; and
which, owing to the sluggishness of the cur
rent, has gradually diffused itself over the
whole surface of the river. A quantity has been collected, and upon application'of fire,
it is found to burn equal lo the purest sperm
on. -j
To gratify curiosity, and to make further
tests, nrc has been applied to the oil on the
water, and the whole surface of the river, is now burning, emitting a flame of most beautiful appearance, about six inches high, and has already extended about halfway down .to Fort Stoddard; the reflection of which upon the horizon in the night, presents a most sublime spectacle, far surpassing iCgrandeur and beauty of appearance, the aurora borealis. Mobile Journal.
so
him," as she said afraid of making herself
ridiculous by following the impulse of nature and truth involved in a web of her ow n vanity's weaving, without tho strength to extri
cate herself, she felt as it a night-mare, were
brooding on her iacullies. !vn heard leubeu utter some incoherent words to Matilda
Most Horrible Steam Boat Explosion. News, too Irue to admit of doubt, were re
ceived iu town list evening, staling,- that the steamer Gen. Brow n, was blown up with a
horrible explosion, near the landing at Hele
na, Arkansas, a Tew days since, i ne account
is, that so complete and destructive has been the disaster, both in the lost of lives and the demolition of the boat, that, if possible, in horror and distress, it surpasses the destruc
tion of the Moselle, last season at Cincinnati. It is said that the Gen. Brown was so near the landing, that several persons, spectators on shore, watching its motions, were killed.
The particulars have not yet come to band, nnd from the appalling nature of what has been ascertained, we dread to hear them. jYnc Albany Jlrgut 't Dec 5 .
At an Agricultural iJ'-clicrtta -il a few days ago-thefoliafc ;jisrrjYeV.:
raw him cross the ihi etk&ld, after casting one I The game of fortune: Lx -J izti taj upbraiding, Indignant glance towards her;' you will, Spadn, always win." i