Sarah Wilkinson

“ The return of Henry to his family was celebrated with the utmost festivity. The company assembled on the occasion were plentifully regaled: and the young people danced on the grass-plot that adorned the front of Mr Percival’s dwelling, Rosetta was Lubin’s partner, and Jane was Henry’s. Never did four persons appear so superlatively happy: joy beamed in their eyes, and the glow of delight flushed on their cheeks. ”

“ Instead of a joyous bride, surrounded by approving friends she was a miserable dependent on the honour of a man, of whose veracity she had of late strong and painful doubts. In the course of the evening, Jane found an opportunity of conversing, unobserved, with Henry, and reposing her griefs in his bosom. How powerful is the language of persuasion from the lips of those we love! The youth called heaven to witness, that she was more dear to him than his own life ”

“ Though death might have been a consummation almost to be wished, that might translate the sufferer from this world to a state of eternal bliss, yet her parents could not endure the thought of parting with their dear, their youngest child; still more dear to their heart by her sufferings. Her sisters also felt a keen anguish; but not so much as the gentle Rosetta who was now the mother of two lovely infants. She never beheld Jane but she thought of Henry as her murderer ”

“ Often, with the permission of her parents, Jane would repair to Mr Percival’s, and reside with her dear Rosetta for three or four days at a time. Together they would wander through the mazes of the adjacent wood, gather wild flowers or fruit, or visit the cottages of the poor neighbours, and relieve their wants as far as their own ability would allow. Often as they roved, arm in arm, their discourse would turn on Henry, Rosetta’s brother, whom she tenderly loved, and sincerely regretted his absence. ”

“ Henry was on the deck, his bosom streaming with gore, from a self-inflicted wound, as appeared by a poignard that he grasped in his right hand. Borne by an invincible guide, she flew towards him. A sudden storm aroso; the ship was furiously eombated by the elements. Henry gave a deep groan, and expired in her arms. The vessel now appeared to sink rapidly, and the horrors of death were around her. Just at the moment of this painful visionary trouble, her sister Annette entered the ehamber, and awoke the sleeping sufferer. ”

“ In vain were the physicians and all their medical attendants, summoned; human skill was vain. Jane was doomed to linger out her existence a hapless maniac. She was perfectly harmless and tractable; and for whole days would wander in these places where she had been used to walk with Henry. She would sing the most plaintive airs, and converse with those who addressed her about her lover. ”

“ The loss of his father’s fortune did not in the least affect the youth; nor would he accept that part of it which Mr Arnold, and the husband of Rosetta, generously offered him. No, money he valued not. The death of Jane, through his cruelty, lay heavy at his heart; also his father’s dying in displeasure with him. He frequently declared that he had brought with him more money from India than would last the remaining term of his life. He hired a small cottage in the vicinity of Rosewood, where he resided in a manner not far removed from the life of a hermit. ”

“ Jane did not arise till the evening. Nor would she then have left her chamber, only to keep her appointment with Henry, whom she had promised to meet at the usual spot, in the well-known grove, in vain Annette persuaded her not to leave the house: Jane persisted that a walk would be of service to her; and obtained her sister's promise, not to mention her absence to her parents; and then hastened to the place where her perfidious lover was waiting. Henry, with seeming affection, embraced her; and then imparted his intention of leaving Rosewood, and repairing to the metropolis the next day. ”

“ As yet, no fair one, calculated to gratify his avaricious passions, had fallen in his way, but many a hapless fair one had become the victim of his seducive arts. The beauty of the interesting Jane, and the dispositions of herself and family, who, virtuous and benevolent in themselves, suspected no guile in others, appeared to this monster of deceit as a fair opportunity to accomplish his base design, by luring her from a peaceful home. ”

“ At length, he stammered forth a few sentences, almost incoherent, from his agitation—that he would inform his father of their attachment, if his dear Jane insisted on such a sacrifice, which he knew would be attended with fatal consequences to his future prospects. “Consider, that Lubin’s situation and property are far superior to my sister’s; he did not object to the alliance of the Arnold’s with his daughter; but old age, my best love, will be avaricious; and he has far higher views for his son.” ”

“ Ah, ye fair daughters of the earth! Nature's choicest work, did you rightly consider the pre-eminence of virtue, and your own conscious dignity, how few, if any, would depart from the path pointed out by rectitude, religion, and honour!
At the next interview that took place between Henry and our unfortunate maiden; after the fatal triumph of the former, her swoln eyes, and altered countenance, declared the poignancy of her feelings, and that remorse had already taken possession of her soul. Henry exerted all his eloquence to soothe her griefs ”

“ Such was Jane at the age of seventeen. As yet her heart was free from the enslaving power of love. Her beauty had, indeed, attracted many suitors but none of them had succeeded in gaining the affections of the youthful maid. Lubin, her only brother was in his twenty-fourth year, and was as much endowed with museuline, as his sister was with feminine beauty. Lucy and Annetta might both be entitled to the denomination of pretty agreeable girls, but no farther. ”

“ This unfortunate beauty, whose wanderings of imagination, through an ill fated attachment, had gained her the appellation of Crazy Jane, was the youngest daughter of Mr Arnold a substantial farmer in Wiltshire. He had four children by Margaretta, his excellent wife, who was still living; Lubin, Lucy, Arnetta, and the lovely Jane, who, from her earliest childhood, was remarkable for her superior beauty, and the elegance of her person ”

“ Thus, in fluctuating hope and fear, the hapless girl passed away her melancholy hours, till the first dawn of the grey-eyed morn was announced by the shrill clarion of Chanticleer. Recollection flushed on her mind: she chided herself for giving way to such sorrowful retrospections; and fearful of being discovered by any of the family, not yet undressed, she hastily divested herself of her apparel, and retired to bed.—Worn out by the fatigue of the proceeding day and the sorrows of her heart, she soon fell into a heavy slumber. ”

“ Then, (continued Henry,) if I succeed I shall no longer be dependent on my father; and our marriage shall take place immediately on my return, which I promise, my dear Jane, shall be within the next three weeks.' Jane was affected at the thoughts of parting; yet the solemn promise of her lover eased her mind of an oppressive burden, and her tears were mingled with emotions of joy and grief. It was long ere any of them had fortitude to pronounce the small, but much importing word, Adieu.—-Henry accompanied Jane to the end of the grove, and then left her for ever. ”

“ Her long hair, which was naturally formed into the most beauteous tresses, was of the lightest brown; her eyse were of the deepest blue, and at each glance shot forth a radiant lustre beaming with expressions. She was tall, slender, and exquisitely formed. ”

“ A base ambition fired Henry's soul. Not content with the handsome competency which he would eventually derive from his father, and a genteel subsistence that he could earn himself, he had pre-determined never to marry, unless he could meet with some woman such an independent fortune in her own hands. ”

“ As soon as their repast was ended, Jane arose, and affeetionately embraeed every individual of the family, particularly her mother and Rosetta. They were extremely affeeted, and prayed with fervour that heaven would be pleased to restoro the sense of the fair maniae. They then separated to perform their several domestie duties, and Jane hastened to her usual haunts, taking with her a little basket of provisions, whieh her tender mother always prepared ready to put in her hand; or poor Jane would never have thought of food till assailed by the calls of hunger. ”

“ As soon as Rosetta had imparted the contents of the letter, she entreated Mr Arnold to permit his three daughters to visit her on the day appointed for Henry's arrival, as her father intended to make it a kind of a festival. The farmers readily acquiesced; and it was agreed that the fair ones should repair to Rosewood at an early hour of the forenoon, and that Lubin should join the the gay party at the commencement of the evening to share in their pleasures, and escort his sister home. ”

“ Arnold and his wifo, who, pleased with tho manners of their new visitor, and in consideration of his being the brother of their dear Rosetta, gave him a general invitation to the farm, which he eagerly embraced; and availed himself of every opportunity that offered, to be in company with the innocent Jane, and whisper in her ears soft vows of love, and declaro an affection never to end but with life. The heart of the youthful maid is not proof against the seducivo powers of his tongue. Henry soon gained the entiro possession of her affections ”

“ The master had two beautiful English horses, and he wanted a careful man to drive them; he was a mighty pleasant gintleman, and he loved a joko. Well, there was plenty after the place; and the first that went up to him, "Now, my man," says he, "tell me how near the edge of a precipice would you undertake to drive my carriage?" So the boy considers, and he says, says he, "Within a foot, plaze your honor, and no harm" "Very well," says ho, "go down, and I'll givo ye yer answer by-and-bye." ”

“ Now I couldn't swim a jot, so I sez to Uncle Zeke-'You're a pretty clever fellow-jest let me take your peauder horn to prime,' and don't you think the stingy critter wouldn't. 'Well,' says I, you're a pretty good diver, an' if you dive an' get it, I'll give you a primin.' I thought he'd leave his peauder horn, but he didn't ”