Lizzy Glenn; Or, The Trials of a Seamstress

g. Half suspecting that Michael had deceived him, he returned to the shop of Mr. B

ave been

't she at t

N

. It often happens that these sewing gi

d, but with his interest in the

erfect stranger, who cannot possibly be any thing to me?" were involun

s friend Milford came in and found him with

Milford, as his eye caught a glimpse of the picture which Perkins made a

effect to disturb, even agitate hi

tring that vibrates painfully! I knew not that

ince I parted with the living original of this picture. The parting was to be only for a few m

he voice of Perkins, that showed ho

seems strange that you should never have allud

ough, without permitting myself to speak of the matter at all. But now that it has bee

anxious desire to h

is hand, and sat silent and thoughtful. He then

young girl about thirteen years of age. He came from New Orleans, where his wife had died, and where he was still engaged in business. His object in coming North with his child was to secure for her the advantages of a good seminary. He seemed to prefer Troy, and after remaining there for some months concluded to place his child in the family of a newly-married man,

nior, yet old enough to feel for her, from the beginning, something more than a mere fraternal regard. And this sentiment was reciprocal. No place was so pleasant to

ection, assumed a more serious character. We loved each other; she was just seventeen, and I twenty-one, when I ventured to tell her

her innocent reply, looki

as truly as I love yo

d it?' was her quiet r

in regard to the character and position of his daughter's lover, returned a cordial assent to my proposal for her hand. Thus far every thing had gone on as smoothly as a sum

ly cultivated, and externally accomplished in every respect. I was proud of her beauty and acquirements, at the same time that I loved her with fervent devotion. Spring passed away and summer came; with the advancing season her father arrived from the South. He

etimes, 'that I can let you have my Eugenia, unless you

th, Mr. Ballantine

ayfully insist that I must go with him to the sunny South. It was about the first of September

ger to pluck it from its parent stem, I must have my dear girl wi

rm. 'You are not going to rob me of her

sh, my dear boy! Here you have had her for five years, and after a little while are to have her for life, a

nfessed that I had been mo

all you have to do is to take a packet and

o, for I will not be able to exist for fi

will see if I can't inoculate you with a love of southern people, sout

so,' I said. '

y with her father for New York, thence to go by sea to her native city. I accompanied them down the river, and spent two days with them in the city, previous to the sailing of the ship Empress, in which they were t

ends. In about a week I began to examine the shipping lists of the New York papers, in the hope of seeing some notice of the good ship that contained my heart's best treasure. But no record of her having been spoken at sea met

out yet?' I asked, on en

was the reply, made in a v

passage a v

ad news of her arr

en spoken on

nd that after she w

od ship?' I n

of this port,' was

next day but one, I met in a New Orleans paper a further allusion to her, coupled with the remark that a suspicious-looking vessel, clipper-built, with a black hull, had been seen several times during the past few weeks cruising in the Gulf, and expressing a fear lest she had come across the Empress. I thought this would have driven me beside myself. But why prolong this painful narration by

leaf after leaf falling away, until death claimed at last his victim, I could have borne the severe affliction with some degree of fortitude. Even if she had been struck down sudd

is hands, in a powerful struggle with his still o'erma

This ought to be enough for me. The agonies of a fearful departure are long since over. And why should I recall them, and break up afresh the tender wounds that bleed at the

some minutes after his friend had ceased, holding, as he sp

ocence itself," was th

ay-"very familiar; but it awakens, I cannot tell why, a feeling of pain. This face is a happy face; and

from the melancholy history connecte

houghtfully. "And yet I know not how to account f

life that had not in it some featu

searching his memory for the original of that peculiar expression which had struck him so forcibly. He was sure that it did exist, and that

r that the young seamstress we were speaking of a few days ago, a single glimpse of whose face I obtained

d surprised and agitated.

is no doubt the reason why I have felt strongly interested for the young stranger, who has doubtless seen

ieve, almost every day, and usually late in the afternoon. Several persons have spoken of he

e some inquiries in regard to her of Berlaps. I was just in time to hear Michael, his

id she take it

ided quickly past, as he bent over the

u see h

osely drawn, as usua

ing about this young female that interests m

as told at the clothing s

assumed name, in

unds as if it might

nt of the singular association of her, in your involuntary thought, with Miss Ballantine. She may be a relative; and, if so,

r; but she was not at the number

en him the right dire

believe that Michael has purposely deceived m

, "I will endeavor, by all means,

ard this meeting with the stranger as something only fortuitous. There is a Providence in all the events of life, and I am now firmly assured that these encounters with the seamstress are not merely accidental, as the world regards accidents, but events in a chain