About the Book
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1812 edition. Excerpt: ... And, homeward, with the little store, At even? sought the cottage door. Then, to the village, on the morrow, Carlo and little Ellen came, And sold them, to the village dame. With slower step, then Carlo trod, And proudly sought the village road; For well he constru'd, what did mean The decent plaid and bonnet green. It was a pleasant tiling, to see Ellen, at even, merrily, When length'ning shadows, o'er the lea, Call'd home the ploughman wearily; Tripping, with lightsome steps, along, While, half untied, her bonnet hung; And Carlo, marching close before, With lifted head, the basket bore. And truly it was fair, to see Old Mary's kind and greeting smile, That more than paid for Ellen's toil. And, when her little gains she show'd, And laid upon her mother's knee, And smiling, said, " 'tis all for thee;" The tear, down Mary's cheek, that flow'd, To Ellen's heart was far more dear, Than worlds of wealth and costly gear. Oft have I seen fair Ellen come, With Carlo, to the cottage home; For oft did Hubert speed me there. And Mary oft would turn aside, And wipe away the trickling tear, Then would she say, that I must bear Kind thanks, for gentle Hubert's cheer; And tell him, that, at eventide, Ellen, her little bed beside, Would clasp her hands, for him, in pray'r; While Ellen, with a smile, replied To all his greeting fair. Ah! nothing did I know, of all, That little Ellen would befall. For, when, with kindly seeming care, Hubert would often send me there, His words were all so mild and fair, That, in his look, I could not read Of aught, but poor, old Mary's need. And, when at first, he told the tale. Of Mary's cottage, in the vale, He pass'd the matter lightly o'er; How, in the glade, some days before, Fatigu'd, with vain pursuit of game, He haply...
