JANE CLARK, THE ORPHAN GIRL. JANE CLARK, who at the age of seven years was parentless, remained a considerable time at one of the American orphan asylums, and was particularly distinguished for her amiable disposition, decorous manners, and uncommon progress in learning. When she was fourteen years old, Mrs. Bland, a lady of superior mind and character, who had often visited the orphans, obtained permission for this girl to leave the asylum, and reside in her family. Though this was a most agreeable and advantageous arrangement for Jane, yet she could not leave the abode and the companions of her early years, without a deep feeling of gratitude and regret. She looked back to the house where her helpless childhood had found kindness, bordering on parental care; where her mind had been guided and raised, and a foundation laid for what she was to be and to hope in life. Mrs. Bland, observing the tears following in quick succession down the cheeks of her young companion, could not forbear keeping her company; and they stopped, for some minutes, to indulge the feelings of grateful sensibility, in viewing a place made sacred by so many endearing recollections. All the inmates and supporters of the fostering mansion were dear to the heart of this excellent girl. Divine Providence had made these children her companions; on leaving them, every little unpleasant circumstance which had attended her there, sunk from her memory; and the blessings she had enjoyed, notwithstanding her privations, rushed with full force upon her mind. Mr. Bland's family was a model of that domestic paradise, where each finds his chief delight in promoting the happiness of the rest. It consisted of the father, mother, three daughters, and one very active promising little boy, who was the youngest of the children. Jane's deportment here, and the esteem she acquired, caused her to be regarded rather as one of the family, than as an assistant or ordinary acquaintance; and, at the same time, it afforded her an excellent opportunity for farther improvement. She did not fail to make the best of her situation. She was very serviceable to the family, by her skill and ingenuity in various branches of useful indus try. She looked to Mr. and Mrs. Bland with a kind of filial affection and reverence, which made their wish a sufficient law to her; and a mutual feeling of good-will existed between her and every person in the house. This esteem for Jane Clark extended to the friends and acquaintance of Mr. Bland's family; and it was common for parents to mention her to their daughters as a pattern of unassuming modesty, intelligence, and generosity of sentiment. In one respect, in particular, Jane deserved and received uncommon praise, especially from those most distinguished by their elevation of mind. She was never known to manifest low envy, or the least uneasiness at hearing any other young lady commended in her presence; but took delight in every thing which tended to exalt the character of her sex. With remarkable aptitude for acquiring |