Sarah Wilkinson

“ 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. ”

“ Rosetta looked around: it was evident that she had rose and dressed herself. Terrified beyond description, Rosetta hastened to the chamber where her husband slept and entreated him to join with her in the pursuit of Jane. Lubin instantly thought of the grove where he had oft seen her walking with the faithless Henry.—Thither they ran as fast as their fears would allow, and found the object of their search stretchhd on the cold grond, and making a piteous moan. Lubin raised and supported her in his arms: while he joined with Rosetta in calling her by the most endearing appellations. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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.” ”

“ Mr Percival and the weeping relations of Jane closed the mournful procession. There was not a dry eye among the villagers. The deep-tolling knell was accompanied by sighs and heart-felt groans; while the aged parents, as the funeral passed their doors, bid their sons beware of the fatal crime of seducing credulous innocence ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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 ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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 those 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 him. From the villagers she gained the appellation of Crazy Jane ”

“ 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 ”

“ Jane, in tremelous accents, inquired the motive which led to such a sudden departure. He informed her, that he had that day received a letter from the metropolis, in which his friend had stated, that there was a post under government, which produced a considerable annuity, that lie had no doubt, if he was present, of procuring for him. “Then,” continued Henry, “if I succeed, I shall no longer be dependant on my father; and our marriage will 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 ”

“ Jane did not rise 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 tho usual spot in the well known grove. In vain Annette persuaded her not to leavc the house: Jane persisted that a walk would be of serviee 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. ”

“ 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 ”