tened the
severity
of their asfliction.
Childrens - Tales of the Hermitage
"
"Where? where? " exclaimed Eli-
za, stretching out her little neck as sar
as she possibly could, to see if she could
discern the lamb. " You are not tall
enough," said the artful creature ; " but
let me lift you up, Miss, and then I
f dare
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? ifi THE FRUITS OF
dare say you'll see them and instantly
catching her up, she cried out, ** Look
directly towards the steeple, Miss; but
I'll run with you in my arms, and I war-
rant we'll soon overtake them. " .
Eliza looked, but looked in vain ; and
perceiving the woman had soon carried
her out of sight of the cottage, begged'
she wouid set her down, as lhedare not
go any sarther.
The vile creature was absolutely inca*.
psbie of replying, for her breath was
nearly exhausted by the rapidity of the
motion, and Eliza continued entreating
her to stop, and struggled violently to
elude her grasp. At length, after a
quarter of an hour's exertion, the woman
found herself incapable of proceeding,
and: stopping suddenly, sat down on a'
b*mk, keeping. tight hold of Eliza's arm,
who'
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? DISOBEDIENCE. I59
who cried dreadfully, and besought her
to let her go.
*e Let you go! '* she replied; " what,
after all the plague I've had toknab you ?
3M>>, no, you don't catch me at that, I
premise you ; but be a good girl, and
. don't cry, and then you may see Bob by
and by, perhaps. "
" Oh, my sisters! my sisters ! let me
go to my sisters I" cried the child. ---
. >>' I'll find plenty of sisters for you, in
9. few days," said the vile creature;
" but they won't know you in them
there sine clothes, so let's pull them off
in a minute, and then we'll have another
race after Bob. "--So saying, she stripped
osf the white frock, hat, and tippet;
the rest os the things. shared the same
fate, and she was compelled to put on
some old rags which the inhuman crea-
ture took out of a bag she carried under
v % her
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? |6o THE FRUITS OF
"her petticoat; then taking a bottle of
liquid fropi the same place, she instantly
began washing poor Eliza's sace with it,
and notwithstandingall her remonstrances,
cut her beautiful hair close to her head.
Thus metamorphosed, it would have
been impossible even for Mr. Darnley to
have known his child, and they proceeded
onwards until her little leg$ would carry
. her no sarther.
At this period they were overtaken
by the Canterbury waggon, and for a
mere trifle the driver consented to let
them ride to London. Eliza's tears con-
tinued to flow, but she dare not utter a
complaint, as her inhuman companion
protested she would break every bone in
her skin if she ventured to make the
least noise.
When they arrived in town she was
dragged (for walk she was unable) to a
. . misc-
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? DISOBEDIENCE. l6l
miserable hole down several steps, where
they gave her some bread and butter to
eat, and then desired her to go to bed.
The bed, if such it might be called,
was little else but a bundle of rags
thrown into a corner of the room with a
dirty blanket spread across it, and there
she was left by her inhuman seducer to
mourn her misfortune, and lament hav-
ing disregarded her papa's injunctions.
'The next morning she was forced to
rife the moment it was light, and to
walk as sar as her little legs would carry
her before they stopped any where to take
refreshment. The . second night was
passed in a barn, and about sive o'clock
the third afternoon they knocked at the
door of a neat-looking cottage, where
nine or ten children were fitting in a
little room making lace.
" Why, Peggy," said the woman, as
p 3 lhe
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? l62 THE FRUITS QF
she opened the door, " I thought you
never would have corned again! how-
ever, I see you have got me a hand at
last, and God knows I'm enough in
wants of her ; for two of my brats have
thought proper to sall sick, and I've
more to do than ever I had in my life. "--
On the following day Eliza's filthy rags
were all taken ofF, and she was dressed in
a tidy brown stuff gown, a nice clean
round-eared cap, and a little coloured
bib and apron ; and Ihe was ordered, if
any person alked her name, to say it was
Biddyf Sullen, and that she was niece to
the woman who employed her. The
severity with which all this wretch's
commands were enforced, wholly pre-
vented any of the helpless victims who
were under her protection from daring
to disobey them ; and though most of
them were placed under her care by the
same
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? DISOBEDIENCE. 163
same vile agent who had decoyed Eliza,
yet they all were tutored to relate similar
untruths.
But I now think it is high time to
carry my little readers back to the cot-
tage scene, where Susan was arranging
things in order for breakfast, and So-
phia and her sister were anxiously watch-
ing the moment when the cake was pro-
nounced completely ready.
The old woman soon returned with
the milk>>-pail on her arm, and Susan ea-
gerly demanded, " Where's Miss Eli-
za ? ". --" Oh, the pretty creature," re-
plied her mother, " she'll be here in' a
minute, I warrant her; but she's gone
skipping after our Billy, and two sweet,
innocents they are together. ". --She then
went to the oven, produced the cake,
and began buttering it with all expedi-
tion, whilst Sophia joyously ran to the
door
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? 164 THE FRUITS OF
door of the cow-house, and began loudly
calling her sister Eliza. No answer being
returned, Susan began kto feel alarmed,
but the young ladies told her not to be
frightened, as they knew it was only
one of Eliza's pranks. But, alas ! too
soon were they convinced it was no joke,
and that some dreadful misfortune must
have happened.
" Miss Eliza! Miss Eliza! " was vo-
ciferated through the village, not only by
Susan and her mother, but hy all the
neighbours who had heard pf the cala-
mity, whilst her sisters ran about frantic
with grief, crying, " Eliza, my love!
ray darling! Oh! if you are hid, for
pity's fake speak ! "
Nurse Chapman got up about halt
past nine, and hearing the children were
not returned from their walk, sent the
housemaid directly alter them.
The
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? DISOBEDIENCE. " l6$
The garden, the shrubbery, and the
lawn, were all searched without success;
andjust as Betty was returningto inform
the nurse they were not to be found* she
perceived Susan and the two children
enter a little green gate at the bottom of
the shrubbery. ' 1 " t . . . ,)'. '
" W here's Miss Eliza ? " called Betty,
in a voice as loud as she could articulate.
" God knows! God knows ! " replied
the careless girl, sobbing so loud she
could scarcely speak. --M How ! Where!
When! " said the other--ff. Why poor
nurse will go quite stark, staring mad! "
By that time the poor woman had quitted
her room, and walked into the garden to
see what had become of her little charges;
and not directly miffing Eliza from the
group which were then sast approaching
towards the house, she called out,
f* Come, my dear children, c$>me along;
soj
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? l66 Tft? f*OJTS Of
for I (bought you would never have re-
turned again:"--and observing Eliza
W9$ not with them, (be continued;
" But, Susan, what's become of my
sweet bird i Where's my little darling,
Miss Eliza i"
<<* Oh, nurse! nurse! " said Sophia,
" my sister's loft ! indeed (he's lost! "
" Loft! " exclaimed the poor old wo-
man ; " lost! what do you tell me i
What do I hear ? Oh, my master! my
dear master ! never shall I bear to fee
bis sace again 1"
Susan then repeated every circum-
stance just as has been related, and with
fighs and tears bewailed her own folly,
in suffering herself to be over-persuaded.
And the children declared they dare not
encounter their papa's displeasure !
The men servants were instantly sum-
moned, and sent on horseback different
ways.
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? crscnfEonsKcr. . i&f
ways. That she had been stolen, ad-
mitted of no doubt, as these was no Wa-
ter near the cottage, and had any accident
happeried, they must have found her,a1<
they had searched every part of the vil-
lage before' they Ventured" to' return
hornet
One servant was' sent to Rochester,
anpther towards London, and a third
and fourth the cross country roads ; but
no intelligence could be obtained, or the*
slightest information gathered, by which
the unfortunate child could be found,
or her wicked decoyer's footsteps traced.
When Mr. Darnley Was apprised Of
the calamitous event, the agitation of
his mind may easily be conceived, but
can never be described. Handbills were
instantly circulated all over the country,
the child's person described, and a re-
ward
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? l68 THE FRUITS OK
ward of five hundred guineas osfered for
her restoration. ; or . . . . .
Sophia and Amanda were inconsola-
ble, and Susan was ordered to be dis-
charged before Mr. Darnley: returned
home, which he did not d>> for more
than a month after the melancholy cir-
cumstance happened, as he was not satis-
fied w]th sending messengers in pursuit
of his lost treasure, but went himself
to all those wretched parts of Ldndoa
where poverty and vice are known to
dwell, in the hope of meeting the object
of his solicitude ; and at length gave up
the interesting pursuit because he found
his health rendered him incapable of
continuing it.
Nine tedious months passed away
without any intelligence of the lost
Eliza; and time, which is a general re-
medy
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? DISOBEDIENCE.
. medy! sot all misforttihes, had not soft.
tened the severity of their asfliction.
Mrs* Collier had engaged a lady to bfc
'governess to her nieces, as her attention
ihadbeen wholly devoted to her unfortu-
nate brother, whose agitated slate os
. 'mind: had produced a bodily complaint
which demanded her unremitting cate
;and; tenderness, . hr i . i:; . : * . . . . . 't
Ls^Although Emily loved Eliza with
-the fondest affection, yet her grief was
much less poignant than either of her
sisters, as me could not accuse herself
with being accessary to her loss. " Ne-
ver, never shall I forgive myself," So-
phia would often say, " for having de-
viated from my dear papa's command I
Oh, so good and indulgent as he is to us,
how wicked it was to transgress his will;
I was the eldest, and ought to have known
better, and my poor Eliza is the sufferer
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? tfO THE FRUITS OF
for my crime V Thus would she bewail
her folly and imprudence, until, agonized
by the torture of her' own reflections,
Ate would sink down in a chair quite
exhausted, and burst into a flood of
tears.
' Whilst the family at Darnley-hall
were thus a prey to unavailing sorrow,
the lovely little girl who had occasioned
it was beginning to grow more reconciled
to the cruelty of her destiny, arid to sup-
port her disferent mode of life with re-
signation and composure. She bad ac-
quired such a degree of skill in the ait
of lace-making (which was the busi-
ness her employer followed), as generally
to be able to perform the tasks which
were allotted her, arid if it so happened
stie was incapable of doing it, Sally
Butchell, a child about two years older
that! herself, of whom she was very
fond,
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? DISOBEDIENCE. Iff
fond, was always kind enough to com-
plete it for her.
The cottage in which the vile Mrs.
Bullen resided, was situated about ft
quarter of a mile from High Wycombe ;
and whenever she was obliged to go . t&
that place either to purchase necefi'arie. s,
or to dispose of her goods, she always
went either before her family Were up,
or after they had retired to rest, locking
the dopr constantly after her, and put*
ting the key in her pocket ; so that the
poor little fouls had no opportunity of
telling their misfortunes to any human
cxeature. r
One intense hot afternoon, in the
mpnth of August, as the children were
sitting hard at work with the door open
ipr the sake of air, an elderly lady and
gentleman walked up to it, and begged
to be accommodated with a feat, in-
0. 3 forming
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? 172 THE FRUITS OF
forming Mrs. Bullen their carriage had
broke down about a mile distant, and
they had been obliged to walk in the
heat of the fun. . . '. .
The appearance of so many children,
all industriously employed, was a sight
peculiarly pleasing to the liberal-minded
Mrs. Montague, and she immediately
began asking the woman several ques-
tions about therribut there was some-
thing of . confusion in her manner of re-
plying that called* forth? Mrs. Montague's
surprise and astonishment. '. . . >>
i". ". . . They really are lovely children,
my dear," said she, turning to Mr. Mon-
tague, who had stood at the door watch-
ing the approach of the carriage, which
he perceived coming forward : " and as
to that little creature, with the mole un-
der its left eye, I declare I think it a
per'feft beauty. "-,? Mr. Montague turned
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? UlS(C)$EB<<NCE. 1? 3
tr'* . . -' .
}lis head, and regarded Eliza with a look
that at once proved that his sentiments
corresponded with those of his lady.
" What is your name, my love ? "
said he, in atone of kindness which poor
Eliza had long been a stranger to. The
child coloured like scarlet, and looked
immediately at her inhuman employer,
who catching the contagion, replied,
with evident marks of confusion, " Her
name is Biddy Bullen, Sir; she's my
toiece ; but 'tis a poor, timid, little fool,
and is always in fright when gentlefolks
happen to speak to her: go, Biddy,"
she continued, " go up into my bed-
room, and wind that thread which you'll
- find upon the reel. "
" You should try to conquer that tlm*
dityf said Mr. Montague, " by mak-
ing her answer every stranger who speaks
%o her j but by taking that office upon
your-
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? J74. THE FRUITS OP
---
yourself, you absolutely encourage the
shyness you complain of. . Come hither,
my little girl," continued he, observing
she was retiring up stairs, " and tell me
boldly what your name is. "
Encouraged by the kindness of Mr.
Montague's address, the agitated child
obeyed the summons, although Mrs.
Bullen attempted to frown 'her into re-
fifiance. Well," continued the old
gentleman, patting her on the cheek,
H and where did you get that pretty
mole ? " <<
" My mamma gave it me, Sir," re-
plied the blushing child ; " but I did.
not see her do it, because Nurse Chap-
man told me she went to Heaven as soon . '
as I was born. "
" Your mamma ! and what was ydur
mamma's name ? " said Mr. Montague.
H Darnley, Sir,'* said the child,' and
. >>. * sud-
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? DISOBEDIENCE. - 175
suddenly recollecting the lesson that had
been taught her, " but my name is Biddy
Sullen, and that is my aunt. "
" Darnley! " exclaimed Mrs. Mon-
tague ; " the very child that has been
for these twelve months past advertised in
all the papers ;" then turning to convince
herself of the sact, " and the very male
confirms it ! *'
Mr. Montague immediately attempted
to secure the woman, but her activity
eluded his grasp, and. darting out at the
back door, she was out of sight in a few
moments.
*<< Is Jhe really gone ? Is she really
gone ? " all the little voices at once de-
manded--and upon Mr. Montague as-
suring them she was really gone for ever,
their joy broke out in a thousand different
ways--'some cried--some laughed--and
others jumped--in sliort, there never
was
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? 1*? 6 THE FRUITS pf
was a scene mdre completely calculated
to interest the feeiings of a benevolent
heart.
Mr. Montague's carriage at this pe-
riod arrayed, and the footrnan was de-
sired to fetch a magistrate from Wy-
combe, whilst the worthy clergyman
resolved to remain there until his arrival,
and began questioning all the children.
Two had been there from so early a pe-
riod that they could give no account of
their name or origin; but all the rest
were so clear in their description, that
the benevolent Mr. Montague had no
doubt of "being able to restore them to
their asflicted parents.
The magistrate soon arrived, attended
by the worthy rector of the place, who
hearing from Mr. Montague's servant
that a child had been stolen, came with
m intent of osfering his services. All
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? 8is<5b? dience.
but. Eliza were immediately put under
his protection, but Mrs. Montague was
so anxious she should be their earliest
care, that she begged her husband to or-
der a post-chaise directly, and set off im-
mediately for town. This request was
willingly complied with, and by three
o'clock the next afternoon the party ar-
rived at Darnley-hall.
Mrs. Collier was standing at the win-
dow when the carriage stopped, and
looking earnestly at her niece, suddenly
exclaimed, in a tone of rapture," My
child ! My child I My lost Eliza ! "
Mr. Darn. 'ey, who was reading,
sprang from his feat, and flew to the
door in an ecstacy of joy ; in less than a
minute he returned, folding his Eliza to
his throbbing heart! --The joyful intel-
ligence ran through the house, and the
other
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? 11& TKE FRUITS Ofi
other children impatiently slew to this
scene of transport. To describe their feel-
ings, or express their felicity, would re-
quire the aid of the most descriptive pen,
and even then would be but saintly told;
and therefore had much better be passed
over.
From that moment the children all
unanimously agreed strictly to attend to
their sather's orders, and never in the
slightest instance act in opposition to his
will. ' /
Mr. and Mrs. Montague were laden
with caresses. and earnestly entreated to
remain Mr. Darnley's guests. The hos-
pitable invitation would have been glad-
ly accepied, had not the thoughts of the
poor children, who were still at Wy-
combe, seemed to claim his immediate
attention; and so great was the philan-
thropy
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? DISOBEDIENCE. I79.
thropy of Mr. Montague's character,
that he could never rest satisfied if >>
single duty remained unfulsilled.
A CURE
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?
"Where? where? " exclaimed Eli-
za, stretching out her little neck as sar
as she possibly could, to see if she could
discern the lamb. " You are not tall
enough," said the artful creature ; " but
let me lift you up, Miss, and then I
f dare
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? ifi THE FRUITS OF
dare say you'll see them and instantly
catching her up, she cried out, ** Look
directly towards the steeple, Miss; but
I'll run with you in my arms, and I war-
rant we'll soon overtake them. " .
Eliza looked, but looked in vain ; and
perceiving the woman had soon carried
her out of sight of the cottage, begged'
she wouid set her down, as lhedare not
go any sarther.
The vile creature was absolutely inca*.
psbie of replying, for her breath was
nearly exhausted by the rapidity of the
motion, and Eliza continued entreating
her to stop, and struggled violently to
elude her grasp. At length, after a
quarter of an hour's exertion, the woman
found herself incapable of proceeding,
and: stopping suddenly, sat down on a'
b*mk, keeping. tight hold of Eliza's arm,
who'
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? DISOBEDIENCE. I59
who cried dreadfully, and besought her
to let her go.
*e Let you go! '* she replied; " what,
after all the plague I've had toknab you ?
3M>>, no, you don't catch me at that, I
premise you ; but be a good girl, and
. don't cry, and then you may see Bob by
and by, perhaps. "
" Oh, my sisters! my sisters ! let me
go to my sisters I" cried the child. ---
. >>' I'll find plenty of sisters for you, in
9. few days," said the vile creature;
" but they won't know you in them
there sine clothes, so let's pull them off
in a minute, and then we'll have another
race after Bob. "--So saying, she stripped
osf the white frock, hat, and tippet;
the rest os the things. shared the same
fate, and she was compelled to put on
some old rags which the inhuman crea-
ture took out of a bag she carried under
v % her
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? |6o THE FRUITS OF
"her petticoat; then taking a bottle of
liquid fropi the same place, she instantly
began washing poor Eliza's sace with it,
and notwithstandingall her remonstrances,
cut her beautiful hair close to her head.
Thus metamorphosed, it would have
been impossible even for Mr. Darnley to
have known his child, and they proceeded
onwards until her little leg$ would carry
. her no sarther.
At this period they were overtaken
by the Canterbury waggon, and for a
mere trifle the driver consented to let
them ride to London. Eliza's tears con-
tinued to flow, but she dare not utter a
complaint, as her inhuman companion
protested she would break every bone in
her skin if she ventured to make the
least noise.
When they arrived in town she was
dragged (for walk she was unable) to a
. . misc-
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? DISOBEDIENCE. l6l
miserable hole down several steps, where
they gave her some bread and butter to
eat, and then desired her to go to bed.
The bed, if such it might be called,
was little else but a bundle of rags
thrown into a corner of the room with a
dirty blanket spread across it, and there
she was left by her inhuman seducer to
mourn her misfortune, and lament hav-
ing disregarded her papa's injunctions.
'The next morning she was forced to
rife the moment it was light, and to
walk as sar as her little legs would carry
her before they stopped any where to take
refreshment. The . second night was
passed in a barn, and about sive o'clock
the third afternoon they knocked at the
door of a neat-looking cottage, where
nine or ten children were fitting in a
little room making lace.
" Why, Peggy," said the woman, as
p 3 lhe
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? l62 THE FRUITS QF
she opened the door, " I thought you
never would have corned again! how-
ever, I see you have got me a hand at
last, and God knows I'm enough in
wants of her ; for two of my brats have
thought proper to sall sick, and I've
more to do than ever I had in my life. "--
On the following day Eliza's filthy rags
were all taken ofF, and she was dressed in
a tidy brown stuff gown, a nice clean
round-eared cap, and a little coloured
bib and apron ; and Ihe was ordered, if
any person alked her name, to say it was
Biddyf Sullen, and that she was niece to
the woman who employed her. The
severity with which all this wretch's
commands were enforced, wholly pre-
vented any of the helpless victims who
were under her protection from daring
to disobey them ; and though most of
them were placed under her care by the
same
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? DISOBEDIENCE. 163
same vile agent who had decoyed Eliza,
yet they all were tutored to relate similar
untruths.
But I now think it is high time to
carry my little readers back to the cot-
tage scene, where Susan was arranging
things in order for breakfast, and So-
phia and her sister were anxiously watch-
ing the moment when the cake was pro-
nounced completely ready.
The old woman soon returned with
the milk>>-pail on her arm, and Susan ea-
gerly demanded, " Where's Miss Eli-
za ? ". --" Oh, the pretty creature," re-
plied her mother, " she'll be here in' a
minute, I warrant her; but she's gone
skipping after our Billy, and two sweet,
innocents they are together. ". --She then
went to the oven, produced the cake,
and began buttering it with all expedi-
tion, whilst Sophia joyously ran to the
door
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? 164 THE FRUITS OF
door of the cow-house, and began loudly
calling her sister Eliza. No answer being
returned, Susan began kto feel alarmed,
but the young ladies told her not to be
frightened, as they knew it was only
one of Eliza's pranks. But, alas ! too
soon were they convinced it was no joke,
and that some dreadful misfortune must
have happened.
" Miss Eliza! Miss Eliza! " was vo-
ciferated through the village, not only by
Susan and her mother, but hy all the
neighbours who had heard pf the cala-
mity, whilst her sisters ran about frantic
with grief, crying, " Eliza, my love!
ray darling! Oh! if you are hid, for
pity's fake speak ! "
Nurse Chapman got up about halt
past nine, and hearing the children were
not returned from their walk, sent the
housemaid directly alter them.
The
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? DISOBEDIENCE. " l6$
The garden, the shrubbery, and the
lawn, were all searched without success;
andjust as Betty was returningto inform
the nurse they were not to be found* she
perceived Susan and the two children
enter a little green gate at the bottom of
the shrubbery. ' 1 " t . . . ,)'. '
" W here's Miss Eliza ? " called Betty,
in a voice as loud as she could articulate.
" God knows! God knows ! " replied
the careless girl, sobbing so loud she
could scarcely speak. --M How ! Where!
When! " said the other--ff. Why poor
nurse will go quite stark, staring mad! "
By that time the poor woman had quitted
her room, and walked into the garden to
see what had become of her little charges;
and not directly miffing Eliza from the
group which were then sast approaching
towards the house, she called out,
f* Come, my dear children, c$>me along;
soj
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? l66 Tft? f*OJTS Of
for I (bought you would never have re-
turned again:"--and observing Eliza
W9$ not with them, (be continued;
" But, Susan, what's become of my
sweet bird i Where's my little darling,
Miss Eliza i"
<<* Oh, nurse! nurse! " said Sophia,
" my sister's loft ! indeed (he's lost! "
" Loft! " exclaimed the poor old wo-
man ; " lost! what do you tell me i
What do I hear ? Oh, my master! my
dear master ! never shall I bear to fee
bis sace again 1"
Susan then repeated every circum-
stance just as has been related, and with
fighs and tears bewailed her own folly,
in suffering herself to be over-persuaded.
And the children declared they dare not
encounter their papa's displeasure !
The men servants were instantly sum-
moned, and sent on horseback different
ways.
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? crscnfEonsKcr. . i&f
ways. That she had been stolen, ad-
mitted of no doubt, as these was no Wa-
ter near the cottage, and had any accident
happeried, they must have found her,a1<
they had searched every part of the vil-
lage before' they Ventured" to' return
hornet
One servant was' sent to Rochester,
anpther towards London, and a third
and fourth the cross country roads ; but
no intelligence could be obtained, or the*
slightest information gathered, by which
the unfortunate child could be found,
or her wicked decoyer's footsteps traced.
When Mr. Darnley Was apprised Of
the calamitous event, the agitation of
his mind may easily be conceived, but
can never be described. Handbills were
instantly circulated all over the country,
the child's person described, and a re-
ward
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? l68 THE FRUITS OK
ward of five hundred guineas osfered for
her restoration. ; or . . . . .
Sophia and Amanda were inconsola-
ble, and Susan was ordered to be dis-
charged before Mr. Darnley: returned
home, which he did not d>> for more
than a month after the melancholy cir-
cumstance happened, as he was not satis-
fied w]th sending messengers in pursuit
of his lost treasure, but went himself
to all those wretched parts of Ldndoa
where poverty and vice are known to
dwell, in the hope of meeting the object
of his solicitude ; and at length gave up
the interesting pursuit because he found
his health rendered him incapable of
continuing it.
Nine tedious months passed away
without any intelligence of the lost
Eliza; and time, which is a general re-
medy
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? DISOBEDIENCE.
. medy! sot all misforttihes, had not soft.
tened the severity of their asfliction.
Mrs* Collier had engaged a lady to bfc
'governess to her nieces, as her attention
ihadbeen wholly devoted to her unfortu-
nate brother, whose agitated slate os
. 'mind: had produced a bodily complaint
which demanded her unremitting cate
;and; tenderness, . hr i . i:; . : * . . . . . 't
Ls^Although Emily loved Eliza with
-the fondest affection, yet her grief was
much less poignant than either of her
sisters, as me could not accuse herself
with being accessary to her loss. " Ne-
ver, never shall I forgive myself," So-
phia would often say, " for having de-
viated from my dear papa's command I
Oh, so good and indulgent as he is to us,
how wicked it was to transgress his will;
I was the eldest, and ought to have known
better, and my poor Eliza is the sufferer
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? tfO THE FRUITS OF
for my crime V Thus would she bewail
her folly and imprudence, until, agonized
by the torture of her' own reflections,
Ate would sink down in a chair quite
exhausted, and burst into a flood of
tears.
' Whilst the family at Darnley-hall
were thus a prey to unavailing sorrow,
the lovely little girl who had occasioned
it was beginning to grow more reconciled
to the cruelty of her destiny, arid to sup-
port her disferent mode of life with re-
signation and composure. She bad ac-
quired such a degree of skill in the ait
of lace-making (which was the busi-
ness her employer followed), as generally
to be able to perform the tasks which
were allotted her, arid if it so happened
stie was incapable of doing it, Sally
Butchell, a child about two years older
that! herself, of whom she was very
fond,
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? DISOBEDIENCE. Iff
fond, was always kind enough to com-
plete it for her.
The cottage in which the vile Mrs.
Bullen resided, was situated about ft
quarter of a mile from High Wycombe ;
and whenever she was obliged to go . t&
that place either to purchase necefi'arie. s,
or to dispose of her goods, she always
went either before her family Were up,
or after they had retired to rest, locking
the dopr constantly after her, and put*
ting the key in her pocket ; so that the
poor little fouls had no opportunity of
telling their misfortunes to any human
cxeature. r
One intense hot afternoon, in the
mpnth of August, as the children were
sitting hard at work with the door open
ipr the sake of air, an elderly lady and
gentleman walked up to it, and begged
to be accommodated with a feat, in-
0. 3 forming
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? 172 THE FRUITS OF
forming Mrs. Bullen their carriage had
broke down about a mile distant, and
they had been obliged to walk in the
heat of the fun. . . '. .
The appearance of so many children,
all industriously employed, was a sight
peculiarly pleasing to the liberal-minded
Mrs. Montague, and she immediately
began asking the woman several ques-
tions about therribut there was some-
thing of . confusion in her manner of re-
plying that called* forth? Mrs. Montague's
surprise and astonishment. '. . . >>
i". ". . . They really are lovely children,
my dear," said she, turning to Mr. Mon-
tague, who had stood at the door watch-
ing the approach of the carriage, which
he perceived coming forward : " and as
to that little creature, with the mole un-
der its left eye, I declare I think it a
per'feft beauty. "-,? Mr. Montague turned
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? UlS(C)$EB<<NCE. 1? 3
tr'* . . -' .
}lis head, and regarded Eliza with a look
that at once proved that his sentiments
corresponded with those of his lady.
" What is your name, my love ? "
said he, in atone of kindness which poor
Eliza had long been a stranger to. The
child coloured like scarlet, and looked
immediately at her inhuman employer,
who catching the contagion, replied,
with evident marks of confusion, " Her
name is Biddy Bullen, Sir; she's my
toiece ; but 'tis a poor, timid, little fool,
and is always in fright when gentlefolks
happen to speak to her: go, Biddy,"
she continued, " go up into my bed-
room, and wind that thread which you'll
- find upon the reel. "
" You should try to conquer that tlm*
dityf said Mr. Montague, " by mak-
ing her answer every stranger who speaks
%o her j but by taking that office upon
your-
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? J74. THE FRUITS OP
---
yourself, you absolutely encourage the
shyness you complain of. . Come hither,
my little girl," continued he, observing
she was retiring up stairs, " and tell me
boldly what your name is. "
Encouraged by the kindness of Mr.
Montague's address, the agitated child
obeyed the summons, although Mrs.
Bullen attempted to frown 'her into re-
fifiance. Well," continued the old
gentleman, patting her on the cheek,
H and where did you get that pretty
mole ? " <<
" My mamma gave it me, Sir," re-
plied the blushing child ; " but I did.
not see her do it, because Nurse Chap-
man told me she went to Heaven as soon . '
as I was born. "
" Your mamma ! and what was ydur
mamma's name ? " said Mr. Montague.
H Darnley, Sir,'* said the child,' and
. >>. * sud-
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? DISOBEDIENCE. - 175
suddenly recollecting the lesson that had
been taught her, " but my name is Biddy
Sullen, and that is my aunt. "
" Darnley! " exclaimed Mrs. Mon-
tague ; " the very child that has been
for these twelve months past advertised in
all the papers ;" then turning to convince
herself of the sact, " and the very male
confirms it ! *'
Mr. Montague immediately attempted
to secure the woman, but her activity
eluded his grasp, and. darting out at the
back door, she was out of sight in a few
moments.
*<< Is Jhe really gone ? Is she really
gone ? " all the little voices at once de-
manded--and upon Mr. Montague as-
suring them she was really gone for ever,
their joy broke out in a thousand different
ways--'some cried--some laughed--and
others jumped--in sliort, there never
was
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? 1*? 6 THE FRUITS pf
was a scene mdre completely calculated
to interest the feeiings of a benevolent
heart.
Mr. Montague's carriage at this pe-
riod arrayed, and the footrnan was de-
sired to fetch a magistrate from Wy-
combe, whilst the worthy clergyman
resolved to remain there until his arrival,
and began questioning all the children.
Two had been there from so early a pe-
riod that they could give no account of
their name or origin; but all the rest
were so clear in their description, that
the benevolent Mr. Montague had no
doubt of "being able to restore them to
their asflicted parents.
The magistrate soon arrived, attended
by the worthy rector of the place, who
hearing from Mr. Montague's servant
that a child had been stolen, came with
m intent of osfering his services. All
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? 8is<5b? dience.
but. Eliza were immediately put under
his protection, but Mrs. Montague was
so anxious she should be their earliest
care, that she begged her husband to or-
der a post-chaise directly, and set off im-
mediately for town. This request was
willingly complied with, and by three
o'clock the next afternoon the party ar-
rived at Darnley-hall.
Mrs. Collier was standing at the win-
dow when the carriage stopped, and
looking earnestly at her niece, suddenly
exclaimed, in a tone of rapture," My
child ! My child I My lost Eliza ! "
Mr. Darn. 'ey, who was reading,
sprang from his feat, and flew to the
door in an ecstacy of joy ; in less than a
minute he returned, folding his Eliza to
his throbbing heart! --The joyful intel-
ligence ran through the house, and the
other
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? 11& TKE FRUITS Ofi
other children impatiently slew to this
scene of transport. To describe their feel-
ings, or express their felicity, would re-
quire the aid of the most descriptive pen,
and even then would be but saintly told;
and therefore had much better be passed
over.
From that moment the children all
unanimously agreed strictly to attend to
their sather's orders, and never in the
slightest instance act in opposition to his
will. ' /
Mr. and Mrs. Montague were laden
with caresses. and earnestly entreated to
remain Mr. Darnley's guests. The hos-
pitable invitation would have been glad-
ly accepied, had not the thoughts of the
poor children, who were still at Wy-
combe, seemed to claim his immediate
attention; and so great was the philan-
thropy
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? DISOBEDIENCE. I79.
thropy of Mr. Montague's character,
that he could never rest satisfied if >>
single duty remained unfulsilled.
A CURE
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?
