Georgianna Lovering or The Northwood Tragedy
Dark were the eyes of a beautiful maiden, Like music her voice, and her cheeks were in bloom; Her mind seemed to be with the purest thoughts laden; Her breath was as sweet as the rose's perfume; Her mother worked hard for her child's education, And bought for her many a well-written tome; Her father had died for the flag of his Nation; And she was the sunlight and comfort of home!
To know her her schoolmates would say was to love her! We're told that all mortals are certain to stray; If Georgie had stains they were hard to discover; Before her bright presence dull care flew away; The girl was so tender—so loving—so pleasant— She seem'd like some seraph that heaven had sent To brighten the home that had poverty present, Yet was rich in her smile of peace, love, and content!
She with her grandparents and mother resided; Two miles from the Centre of Northwood the cot; The villagers loved her and in her confided; And girls near her age her companionship sought; She was her mother's one, chief earthly treasure; Oft her sweet voice had the weeping one cheered; Sorrow itself seemed to turn unto pleasure, And grief unto gladness where Georgie appeared!
She had an uncle too deep steeped in error To learn in her presence the way to improve; His sinister look would fill children with terror; Few hearts could towards him affectionate move; He looked sanctimonious for certain occasions, And words big with honor came to him at ease, Yet he was her uncle, and she must have patience, And do all she could to relieve him and please.
True, his mean soul she was quick to discover, Yet knew not how fiendish her uncle could be, The angels of love seemed about her to hover; A word was unkind for no mortal had she; So when he told her he'd work on the morrow, And asked her if she'd to his bird-snares attend? “O, yes!” she replied, though she told him in sorrow, As if she was dreading some terrible end.
The next morn arrived, a bright day in October, § The maiden was up to look after the snares, And grandmother saw that young Georgie looked sober, As if she was weary of earth and its cares! “O, what is the matter my darling, this morning?” “What makes you look sad, when so often you're gay.” “Have you had a terrible dream or a warning?” “O, what has come over you,? pretty one say?”
“Granny, to uncle last night I was telling I'd go to the wild woods his bird snares to see, But somehow I dread to leave our homely dwelling, For horrible thoughts really linger with me; Oft to me did those old woods look delightful; I oft liked to go at the bird-snares to look; But now, despite sunshine, the forest looks frightful, And lately with joy I've no trip in it took!”
Old granny, no doubt, tho't the girl superstitious, And having no reason for trouble or fear, And Georgie gave her a sweet kiss and delicious, Then these were the words the old lady did hear, “I promised my uncle his snares I'd attend to; This morning I'll go and I'll look them all o'er, But when I've done that, O such work there's an end to, I'll go in the woods for my uncle no more!”
Maiden, the truth you have told, and truth only, To one whose heart to you does tenderly yearn, The woods you have tho't were both ugly and lonely, Are woods from which never in bloom you'll return, And granny that kiss that you have been receiving, Was the last one from Georgie you e'er could obtain, For many a heart shall soon for her be grieving,— Her fond mother's tears dew the cold earth like rain.