000-- THE ORPHAN BOY, OR TEST OF INNOCENCE. By MRS. CATHERINE G. WARD, AUTHORESS OF "The ROSE OF CLAREMONT;” “ Mysterious Marriage;”“ My Native Land ;" 44 "Robertina ;" " Poems ;" &c. &c. &c. &c. -"He is yours! and be is mine! Not yours, nor mine alone! A friendless Orphan Boy!" 000 ENTERED AT STATIONERS HALL. -000⋅ LONDON: Published by G. VIRTUE, 6, Cannon Row, Westminster; W. & S. COUCHMAN, 1821. 250.a. 296. ADOLPHU DOLPHUS and his cousins could not sleep all night for the approaching celebration of the Christmas vacation; which on the morning that was destined to convey them home kept them wide awake. But it never struck Adolphus that he had no home (at least no paternal home) to go to; for he was an Orphan Boy! but he was thoughtless and happy; and like the skylark, his yet unbounded wishes soared in air: the sole aim of his ambition being the possession of liberty; which, to a school-boy, may justly be termed the ne plus ultra of his most sanguine expectations. The consequence was, that they began dressing themselves with all the alacrity that the nimble footed hind runs to escape from her vigilant pursuers. Their task was speedily accomplished; and precisely at six o'clock, they were quietly seated in Sir Mildred Austincourt's travelling post chaise; and at the extremity of a beautiful hanging wood, were just five miles from his splendid and magnificent mansion. The chaise proceeded with velocity, but Adolphus and his cousins thought otherwise; and Frederic, the elder, and the heir presumptive of Sir Mildred's family, who possessed, not only the impetuosity of youth, but a little mixture of that self-importance which is too generally allied to the knowledge of high birth and the expectation of riches, was the first to find fault with the postillion for not driving faster; and putting his head out of the chaise window, he, in addition to, "why do'nt you drive faster?" superadded (with an air of authority that was peculiar to him) "why the devil, do'nt you drive faster?" Adolphus laughed ;-Edmund, his younger cousin, looked grave; while reiterated lashes sounded on the backs of Sir Mildred's horses; which were several times repeated, by the imperious command of his son and heir. Adolphus and his cousins were now within gun-shot of the Austincourt estate, which was called, and had been called from generation to generation, Austincourt Priory; now in the possession of Sir Mildred Austincourt, the worthiest character in existence; at least, Adolphus thought the best uncle, and he was certain that he was the best father in the world. Of his aunt, lady Austincourt, much cannot be said at the present period; and as little of her all-accomplished daughters, whose actions will hereafter certify |