The
History
of
MARIA KITTLE,
In a Letter to Miss Ten Eyck.
Tomhanick, December, 1779
Dear Susan,
HOWEVER fond of novels and romances
you may be, the unfortunate adventures of one
of my neighbours, who died yesterday, will
make you despise that fiction, in which, knowing
the subject to be fabulous, we can never be
so truly interested. While this lady was expiring, Mrs. C V , her near kinswoman, related to me her unhappy history, in which I shall now take the liberty of interesting your benevolent and feeling heart.
MARIA KITTLE was the only issue of her
parents, who cultivated a large farm on the banks
of the Hudson, eighteen miles above Albany. They were persons of good natural abilities, improved by some learning; yet, conscious of a deficiency in their education, they studied nothing so much as to render their little daughter truly accomplished.
MARIA was born in the year 1721. Her
promising infancy presaged a maturity of excellencies; every amiable quality dawned through her lisping prattle; every personal grace attended her attitudes and played over her features. As she advanced through the playful stage of childhood, she became more eminent than a Penelope for her industry; yet, soon as the sun declined, she always retired with her books until the time of repose, by which means she soon informed her opening mind with the principles of every useful science. She was beloved by all her female companions, who, though they easily discovered her superior elegance of manners, instead of envying, were excited to imitate her. As she always made one in their little parties of pleasure on festival days, it is no wonder that she soon became the reigning goddess among the swains. She was importuned to admit the addresses of numbers, whom she politely discarded, and withdrew herself awhile from public observation. How ever, the fame of her charms attracted several gentlemen of family from Albany, who intruded on her retirement, soliciting her hand. But this happiness was reserved for a near relation of hers, one Mr. KITTLE, whose merits had made an impression on her heart. He, although not handsome, was possessed of a most engaging address; while his learning and moral virtues more particularly recommended him to her esteem. Their parents soon discovered their reciprocal passion, and highly approving of it, hastened their marriage, which was celebrated under the most happy auspices.
MARIA was fifteen when married. They
removed to his farm, on which he had built a
small neat house, surrounded by tall cedars, which gave it a contemplative air. It was situated on an eminence, with a green inclosure in the front, graced by a well cultivated garden on one side, and on the other by a clear stream, which rushing over a bed of white pebble, gave them a high polish, that cast a soft gleam through the water.
Here they resided in the tranquil enjoyment
of that happiness which so much merit and innocence
deserved: the indigent, the sorrowful, the unfortunate were always sure of consolation when they entered those peaceful doors. They were almost adored by their neighbours, and even the wild savages themselves, who often resorted thither for refreshments when hunting, expressed the greatest regard for them, and admiration of their virtues.
In little more than a year they were blessed
with a daughter, the lovelier resemblance of
her lovely mother: as she grew up, her graces
increasing, promised a bloom and understanding
equal to hers; the Indians, in particular, were extremely fond of the smiling ANNA; whenever they found a young fawn, or caught a brood of wood-ducks, or surprised the young beaver in their daily excursions through the forests, they presented them with pleasure to her; they brought her the earliest strawberries, the scarlet plumb, and other delicate wild fruits in painted baskets.
How did the fond parents hearts delight to
see their beloved one so universally caressed! When they sauntered over the vernal fields with the little prattler wantoning before them collecting flowers and pursuing the velvet elusive butterfly, MARIA'S cheek suffusing with rapture, " Oh my dear," she would say, " we "are happier than human beings can expect to be; how trivial are the evils annexed to our situation! may God avert that our heaven be limited to this life!"