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THE
BARBADOES GIRL.
A Tale for Young People.
BY MRS. HOFLAND.
AUTHOR OF
THE CLERGYMAN'S WIDOW; THE SISTERS; BLIND FARMER; AFFECTIONATE BROTHERS; ELLEN THE TEACHER; GOOD GRANDMOTHER; MERCHANT'S WIDOW; ETC., ETC., ETC.
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The indulgence of passion makes bitter work for repentance, and produces afeeble old age. BACON.
As violent contrary winds endanger a ship, so it is with turbulent emotionsin the mind; whereas such as are favourable awaken the understanding, keepin motion the will, and make the whole man more vigorous. ADDISON.
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_A NEW EDITION, REVISED._
BOSTON: CHASE AND NICHOLS, 43 WASHINGTON STREET. 1863.
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THE BARBADOES GIRL.
CHAPTER I.
As Mr. Harewood was one evening sitting with his wife and children, he toldthem that he expected soon to receive among them the daughter of a friend,who had lately died in the West Indies.
Mr. Harewood's family consisted of his wife, two sons, and a daughter: theeldest, named Edmund, was about twelve years of age; Charles, the second,was scarcely ten; and Ellen, the daughter, had just passed her eighthbirthday: they were all sensible, affectionate children, but a littledifferent in disposition, the eldest being grave and studious, the secondlively and active, and as he was nearer to Ellen's age, she was ofteninclined to romp with him, when she should have minded her book; but shewas so fond of her mamma, and was educated with such a proper sense of theduty and obedience she owed her, that a word or a look never failed torestrain the exuberance of her spirits.
Children are alike naturally curious and fond of society; the moment,therefore, Mr. Harewood mentioned their expected guest, every one hadsome question to ask respecting her; but as Ellen's was uttered with mostmildness and modesty, she was first answered; and her brother Charles,taking this hint, listened quietly to the following conversation, notjoining in it, till he felt that he had a right to do so, from havingpractised a forbearance that cost him some effort.
_Ellen._--Pray, papa, what is this little girl's name, and how old is she?
_Father._--She is called Matilda Sophia Hanson: her father was a man ofgood fortune, and she is an only child; I believe, however, his affairs arein an unsettled state, as her mother is under the necessity of remainingsome time in the country, in order to settle them. It is at her earnestrequest that I have been prevailed upon to accept the charge of herdaughter. I believe she is about a year younger than you; but as the growthof people in warm countries is more rapid than in this, I expect to see herquite as tall and forward as you, Ellen.
_Ellen._--But, dear papa, how will she get here from a place on the otherside of the globe? I mean, who will bring her? for I know, of course, thatshe must come in a ship.
_Father._--She will be attended by a negro servant, who has always waitedupon her; and who will return after she is safely landed, I suppose.
_Ellen._--Poor thing! how she will cry when she leaves her own dear mamma,when she is to cross the wide sea! and then again, when she parts with hergood nurse; I dare say she will kiss her very fondly, though she is ablack.
_Charles._--Oh, she will forget her sorrow when she sees so many thingsthat are quite new to her. I'm afraid she'll think Ellen, and us boys, verysilly, ignorant creatures, compared to her, who has seen so much of theworld: upon my word, we must be all upon our good behaviour.
_Father._--I hope you will behave well, not merely from consciousinferiority, but because you would be both impolite and unkind, if youomitted any thing in your power that could render a stranger happy, who isso entirely thrown upon our protection--one, too, who has lost a fondfather, and is parted from a tender mother.
_Edmund._--But, papa, as Miss Hanson is coming to England for education,and is yet very young, surely Charles must be wrong in supposing that sheis wiser, or, I ought to say, better informed, than we are, since it isutterly improbable that she should have had the benefit of suchinstructions as we have enjoyed.
_Father._--True, my dear; but yet she will, of course, be acquainted withmany things to which you are necessarily entire strangers, although I mustremark that Charles's expression, "she has seen much of the world," is notproper; for it is only applied to people who have mixed much withsociety--not to those whose travels have shown them only land and water.However, coming from a distant country, a society very different from ours,and people to whom you are strangers, she cannot fail to possess many ideasand much knowledge which are unknown to you; I therefore hope her residencewith us for a time will prove mutually advantageous; but if the advantageshould prove to be on your side, I trust you will never abuse it bylaughing, or in any way insulting and teazing your visitant; such conductwould ensure most serious displeasure.
_Mother._--It would prove them not only very ignorant, and deficient in theeducation which even savages give their children, but prove that they weredevoid of that spirit of courtesy which is recommended in the Scriptures,and which every Christian child will nourish in his heart and display inhis manners: the same holy apostle, who inculcated the highest doctrines ofhis Divine Master, says also--"Be affable, be courteous, bearing one withanother."
The children for a few moments looked very serious, and each appeared to beinwardly making some kind of promise or resolution to themselves respectingthe expected stranger: at length, Ellen, looking up, said to her mamma,with great earnestness--"Indeed, mamma, I will love Miss Hanson as much asif she were my sister, if she will permit me to do it."
"You had better say, Ellen, that you will be as kind to her as if she wereyour sister; for until we know more of her, it is not possible for us topromise so much; nor is it advisable to give our hearts at first sight,even to those who have yet stronger claims upon our good will and friendlyservices."
Mr. Harewood added his approbation of this sentiment, for he knew it wasone that could not be repeated too often to young people, who are ever aptto take up either partialities or prejudices too strongly, and whosejudgment has ever occasion for the attempering lessons of experience.