Anonymous [By an American Lady]

The Hapless Orphan; Or, Innocent Victim of Revenge

Boston

1793

"Yet such is the construction of the human mind, that fear must be strongly imprest not to wear off by time."

Attached to riding on horseback, Lucretia and myself make frequent excursions. In one of these rambles, in which which by necessity we were unattended, for a country life seldom affords gallants, an incident took place which determined us in future to be more cautious. Yet such is the construction of the human mind, that fear must be strongly imprest not to wear off by time. Instead of riding in the morning as had been our usual practice, we concluded to go in the afternoon, wishing to take a road, which in the morning, was rendered disagreeable by giving us the sun in our faces. The day was inviting, we were pleased with the prospect around, and unmindful of our distance from home. Engaged in conversation, the sun had set before we had any idea of its retiring. An improving companion is an instructing thief, which insensibly steals away the hours. It was, however, prudent for us to hasten into the main road, where we naturally supposed ourselves more secure. Just as we had entered the post road, we were familiarly addressed by a person on horseback, who appeared disposed to accompany us. He begged to know how far we were going. We assured him we were but a short distance from home and under no apprehensions. Notwithstanding this, he insisted upon accompanying us. We had gone but a little way before we made an addition to our party. [...]
(p. 42)

Impressions

Reading in Google Books

Anonymous, The Hapless Orphan; Or, Innocent Victim of Revenge. A Novel, Founded on Incidents of Real Life. In a Series of Letters from Caroline Francis to Maria B—. (Dublin: Printed for P. Wogan, P. Byrne, and J. Rice, 1793). <Link to Google Books>

04/18/2011