A New England Tale (Romance Classic). Catharine Maria Sedgwick

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      CHAPTER IV.

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      She, half an angel in her own account,

       Doubts not hereafter with the saints to mount

       Tho' not a grace appears on strictest search,

       But that she fasts, and item, goes to church.

       Cowper.

      The excellent character of Mary Hull had been spoken of to Mr. Lloyd by his landlady, and he was convinced that she was precisely the person to whom he should be satisfied to commit the superintendence of his family. Accordingly, on the evening of the sale, he sent a messenger to Mrs. Wilson's with the following note:—

      "Robert Lloyd, having purchased the place of the late Mr. Elton, would be glad to engage Mary Hull to take charge of his family. Wages, and all other matters, shall be arranged to her satisfaction. He takes the liberty to send by the messenger, for Jane Elton, a work-box, dressing-glass, and a few other small articles, for which he has no use, and which, he hopes, she will do him the favour to retain, on account of the value they must have in her eyes."

      Mrs. Wilson had no notion that any right could be prior to hers in her house. She took the note from the servant and, notwithstanding he ventured to say he believed it was not meant for her, she read it first with no very satisfied air, and then turning to one of the children, she told her to call Mary Hull to her. The servant placed the things on the table, and left the room.

      "So," said she to Jane, who was looking at her for some explanation of the sudden apparition of the work-box, &c.—"So, Miss, you have seen fit to disobey the first order I took the trouble to give you. I should like to know how you dared to leave these things after my positive orders."

      "I did not understand your note, Ma'am, to contain positive orders; and Mary and I did not think it was quite right to take the things."

      "Right! pretty judges of right to be sure. She a hired a girl, and a Methodist into the bargain. I don't know how she dares to judge over my head; and you, Miss, I tell you once for all, I allow no child in my house to know right from wrong; children have no reason, and they ought to be very thankful, when they fall into the hands of those that are capable of judging for them. Here," said she to Mary, who now entered in obedience to her summons; "here is a proposal of a place for you, from that Quaker that buried his wife last week. I suppose you call yourself your own mistress, and you can do as you like about it; but as you are yet a young woman, Mary Hull, and this man is a Quaker widower, and nobody knows who, I should think it a great risk for you to live with him; for, if nothing worse comes of it, you may be sure there is not a person in this town that won't think you are trying to get him for a husband.

      Mary was highly gratified with the thought of returning to the place where she had passed a large and happy portion of her life, and she did not hesitate to say, that "she should not stand so much in her own light as to refuse so excellent a place; that from all she had heard said of Mr. Lloyd, he was a gentleman far above her condition in life; and therefore she thought no person would be silly enough to suppose she took the place from so foolish a design as Mrs. Wilson suggested; and she should take care that her conduct should give no occasion for reproach."

      "Well," said Mrs. Wilson, chagrined that her counsel was not compulsory, "it does amaze me to see how some people strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel."

      Mary did not condescend to notice this remark, but proceeded quietly to remove the articles Mr. Lloyd had sent, which she succeeded in doing, without any further remark from Mrs. Wilson, who prudently restrained the exercise of her authority while there was one present independent enough to oppose its current.

      "Oh, Mary," said Jane, when they were alone, how glad I am you are going to live with such a good man; how happy you must be!" "And I too, Mary;" and she hastily brushed away a tear, "I am; at least I should be very happy when I have such a kind friend as you are so near to me."

      "Yes, yes, dear Jane, try to be happy, this foolish aunt of yours will try you like the fire, but I look to see you come out of it as gold from the furnace: keep up a good heart, my child, it is a long lane that never turns."

      The friends separated, but not till Mary had with her usual caution carefully packed away Jane's new treasures, saying, as she did it, "That it was best to put temptation out of sight."

      Mary's plain and neat appearance, and her ingenuous sensible countenance, commended her at once to Mr. Lloyd's favour, and she entered immediately upon the duties of her new and responsible situation.

      We must now introduce those who are willing to go further with us in the history of Jane Elton, to the family of Mrs. Wilson, where they will see she had a school for the discipline of christian character.

      "Jane," said Mrs. Wilson to her on the morning after Mary's departure, "you know, child, the trouble and expense of taking you СКАЧАТЬ