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1 —¦ —~— 1 “ ~ - - ' ’mmmm ~m~mm~ mmmmmm ~ mmma clime where (he roaea were,heart and bright brown hairin the morning beams.
:ms^ rTMBoH avrt ofliurc and eye* of brown,Ana s^3-wbite forheads are there;
? aIlea mating cross and a glittering crownand a couch of down,
and leatleta of prayer.
AlWMdv spring in the brvciy woods,from the quivering pines—ere* beneath green lnnd,brooklets, a scent of buds,
and clambering vines,
in a dimpled hand,a sighted vow—-
[ links of a broken band,on the snow-white sand,a unless
Tm/gf&t M tincture of grief in the beautiful songon the slumbrous
felt in the festive throng,in the soul as it trembles along,
clime where the ruse* were.itfirst at the of day,
'2JgjPl mingled with matin chimes,have distanced the beautiful lay,
How ith from far away,iKra call itDOW, Old Times.
| £f|f(t £tovjj.from the Baltimore Saturday Night
jOM Week in (he (omitry;OK,
A Harrow ENtapc Erom ICiiin.
BY MHS U. V (JOLUB.MITII.
mm clla fie it i..h.MIIIBI' r had fairly opened, and the
t’BHHMitiuiion the tongue ofevery onewm—“iiio’t it hut!" i had
in silent dreams of thecountry, of green fields and
tMHKLfroves, of rambles by twilight- mHHHbniigltt, and had grown rustless
ruble over the prospect of ataoldfltseason in the city. i had
of suggesting a brief tour (o myhulMad hut. had been deterred fromfO doing by the knowledge that he, likenWBJ oil is, could not well leave hisbusißfN, even lor a few days.
‘ v;HMßii''rning, however, whilst seated•I bfl|Bfast, surrounded by my com-panion In life and little ones, we were•iartlndl by u loud knock, which provedto bt the postman's, and the servantplaced in my hand the following letter:
.. I'W§F f -Viy:—As tho country is nowlooking beautiful, and 1 have long desired avkKflkoiiiyou, 1 hope you can make it suitat this time, as nothing, 1 can as-
my dear friend, would give me' pleasure than to have you spend a few
4vs with *ue. So make no excuse, butOfllfll *n soon as possible.
Ever your true friend,Cauouxk Ski.jiv.
' '9 : a a,| d a little nervous-BOM, 1 handed the letter to my husband.
JK*u d 11 carefully, in his grave way,said:HP'eli, wife,whatdo you think ofit?”Hdou'i know,” 1 answered; “whatSu say
>ou can do as you please; howSHW *|*cct a little trip to the coun-•(¦jfcnld do you good, as the weather
P BBjrribly warm, and you complain4* of the heat and dust. You*a*Hblittle Frank with you, and, 1
not have much trouble.”Robert, you have disused of
F, how will you get alongWho will take care of§&% kfmK house and go to market,mwnjp away?”
for that,” he answered, “ IAuntie can get my
1 am lonesome, I can callt(- dinner or to tea. 1
¦||i|| care of myself, neverbachelorship right
said, half pouting, “ifyouWipißi have so gay a time, and
°* courße Bball have nogoing, and staying as
at me with mischief in hisW. ug I was a little piqued,
¦*••• ¦HP LDoW *am j^' with you,UU a"’lully;but seriously,
I think a little trip to thedoyou good, and although
mffl&ferywell acquainted withkbia gßp|jlalby, still 1 think you could
evening my trunk was1 was ready to start. As
. having, my mother in-law1 told her, in great glee,
y iWBIKF"t< ( * pleasure; how stoutKct °l l ho nice
P* c’h and bring home
“OfHßto,” she said, ‘‘you intendfe- !• pwrjmp board ?”L iudeed, iua; I am going toEm—< MllCTelbv; she has written to me
BfIPPE” fc he replied, “ 1 would advisel ; go; ifyou do, you will never
*jutoocc ’ If you want to go.|^^B° uutry, pay your board and be
obligation, j am an old wocan speak from experience. ll
a week or two in the countryyou will have such a crowdvisitors all winter that it
be cheaper by far to spend the:Sr at Cape May.”
mu,” 1 said, feeling shocked,MMcat, )ou talk in this way? Do
Dunk Mrs. Selby would be6 t 0 “P as mu °h time with
liked? Il l could nut make1 would not nuke tins
course no one cl.no wouldI am not acquainted with any
iu dm country.”* lL"lU 80e’ 8 h,,c- ”Vou are&L^*ICe WoUlftn > n(J doubt; but youM ,h1 maternal curs.
i At their departure, they gave us all a- cordial invitation to spend tho following
L day with them. Mrs. Selby as cordiallyaccepted, and tho next day saw us “out
i to dine.”, They gave quite a nice little cntcr-
l tainmeut fur our benefit, (or their ownas it afterward proved,) and some ten
, or a dozen neighbors hud been invitedto meet us. There was a Mrs. Dash
- and her daughter Sallie, a young girl1 who wanted to know something about
i everything. The changes in the fash-i ions, what was worn and what was not.I She said she did not get an opportunity
to visit the city the winter before, butL was dying to go. Her mother whis-
pered to mo that Sullio bad taken won-derfully to me, and thought 1 was the
, nicest lady she had ever met. This wasi saying a groat deal, and of course 1 wasi much complimented,i Then there was an old Mrs Brown,
- who had the reputation of having been-a great aristocrat in her day, or was
1 connected with some aristocratic family,which she considered just the same.—
- This old lady was very talkative and• very deaf. She was always engaged inI a lawsuit about some real or imaginary
; property that had belonged to some of• her ancestors. She had become quite• reduced iu circumstances by her law-i suits, and was a sort of pensioner on
1 the public bounty.After talking me blind (one of
I Frank’s sayings) she said, “by the way,i Mrs May, when do you return to Hal-
f timorc?’ I answered iu a few days.“Law sakes!” she cried; “I have
, been thinking of going down myself to, consult some eminent lawyer about this
lawsuit of mine. 1 will try, 1 think,and go down with you, as I am not
i much acquainted there, you, I know,; my dear, will see that nothing befalls
mo.” “OhI” she continued, not hced-! iog my reply, “ the time was when wc• kept our own carriage, and tho greati and the rich of tho land were proud lo
1 visit us as you know,’ she said, lookingaround in u general way at the company.- “Mygrandmother's grandmother was
of the nobility. Yes indeed,” giving, her snuff-box an aristocratic little tapi “of the nobility. And then my groatgrandfather, I think it was, was madei Governor of tho State, but declined to
accept, as ho said he thought ho wouldi prefer the Presidency, but somehow ori another, I can’t remember how, myt memory not being so good as formerly,r tho thing fell through, but wo are a
- great family, a very great family.”15 Reaching over two persons beside
, her to hand me her snuff box, she remarked, upon my declining—“don’t
t take snuff, my dear? it is a great cunso-lutiou.” Rut, whether it was a conso-lation 1 did not take it, ora consolation
: to hcraeil, she did not inform mo.Then wo were introduced to cousin
I Tom, or, as Frank privately dabbedhim, the “horsethief,” and ho lookedi like it to tho very letter—a tall, thin,c cadaverous lookiug fellow, with low
1 lurchcat|, bushy, overhanging eye brows,i a grim, sallow complexion, and sharpt hawk nose. Uis cyea wore almost toof ugly to describe, beiug round and ofthat very lightshade of gray which has
s a watory, washed look, and is beyond
WESTMINSTER, MD., THURSDAY MORNING, JULY 1, 1869.were changing into the dry and scaredleaves of winter.
My husband was a merchant, and aswe had returned from the South at theclose of the war, of course he had veryreccnlly commenced business. We hadsufficient for ourselves and children, andmy husband was beginning to do u veryfair business, with every prospect ofsuc-cess, without an unforsecn accident.We were very happy in our little homecircle. We had formed the acquaintanceof a few pleasant friends, and our even-ings were spent in intellectual conversa-tion, or cheerful, social, fireside amuse-ments, in which our children could join;
and hastening home from school, theyfound here their happiest, truest, andpurest enjoyment.
CHAPTER IV.One morning, early in October, I had
been out on a little shopping expedition,when upon returning ami entering my parlor, Mrs. Selby rushed forward and nearlysmothered me inone of her original embraces. Said she was overjoyed to see me,had not written ; wanted to lake me by sur-prise. 1 saw she was amused about something, and was laughing and rolling hereyes in a very peculiar manner, at last,turning towards the back parlor. 1 saw apair of large black eyes peeping at me frombehind the door.
“You are caught,” cried Mrs. Selby;“come out, my dears;*' and out boundedEllen, followed by Fannie.
“Oh! dear Mrs. May, wc thought wewould never get here : it seems an age sincewo saw you lust; would have been here be-fore, but Auntie said, ‘well girls, let's getthrough with all our pickling and preservingand fullwork, and when we do go we canstay just as long as we please;’ so Uncleraid ‘pack off and don't let me see you againtill spring. 1 Auntie, 1 am sorry to say,will have to return in a few weeks, but 1expect she will be down again before thespring, won't you, Auntie’:'
“I don't know, girls; it will all dependupon circumstances ; you will not he lone-some, though, for you know next weekMollic and Susan Hunter and Sadie Dashwill be down, and 1 expect you will have amerry time.”
The closing speech feel upon me like athunderbolt, and as 1 left the room theywere chatting and looking out of the window, making remarks and pointing theirlingers at everv well dressed man or womanthat passed. Tottering rather than walkingup to my room, 1 fell like one-in a dream.I hud not realized that all these people, theacquaintances of a day, could have the as-surance to Hock down on me like a swarmof locusts. 1 felt under some obligations tothe Selbys, but the Hunters and the Dash'shad no claims on me whatever!
My husband looked astonished as he camein, to see the curtains drawn up so high,and so many strange faces at the window.1 introduced him to the ladies, and theywere all soon chatting merrily. They “tookto him," as they called it, as readily as theyhad to me; asked him about the variousplaces of amusements, what was being play-ed now, and said they were dying to go.
Ellen asked if 1 had picked out u beaufor her?
My husband playfully remarked, that hewould bring her up bull a-dozen.
This set her all in u Uniter; she giggled,shook her horrid waterfall, and glanced intothe opposite mirror, until my husband wasready to explode with laughter. Seeinghim look so merry, my spirits ruse to theirusual tone, and we all went gaily down todinner.
In the evening my husband, true to hispromise, brought up a couple of youngclerks from ike store, and the young ladieswore invited to go to the theatre, hauniodeclared she could not go; no indeed, ?-hewouli much rather go to a prayer meeting,if 1 knew ofany near by. 1 knew of none,and finally she was persuaded to go to thetheatre with young Morton, a handsome,dashing young fellow, just from New York,full of fun and mischief, and a great ladies'man. The gay experience* he gave of lifein that great city filled the ladies with wonderand astonishment. “Do tell! laws sakea!is tkat so I who would a thought it!" wereamong the inteijectioni that fell from theirlips, and when young Morton saw howeasilythey were brought to believe all his wonder-ful stories, ho piled iton, as he afterwardssaid, until they must have thought them-selves in the fabled lauds of the East.
When they went up stairs to prepare forthe theatre, they said “their bonnets didnot look nice or fashionable, like mine;could 1 not find them something that lookedbelter?" 1 replied that ray new black vel-vet bonnet had just been sent home, end 1had never worn it yet, but you arc welcometo the one you saw me were to-day ; a verypretty bonnet that 1 had gotten for my sec-ond best.
“Oh! what a love of a bonnet,*' saidEllen, seizing my new one; “just let metry iton."
In a moment she had it on her head, andwas admiring herself in the glass.
“Itdoes nut suityour waterfall,** I sug-gested. “They are worn very high now.’’
“Oh ! 1 think anything looks well in thischarming bonnet," she answered; so shetied the strings and put on her shawl.
“Hurry, Fannie, we will be late; youcan wear Mrs! May's other bonnet, and youwill look very well, indeed.**
1 was perfectly dumbfounded by her coolaudacity.
“Miss Ellen,*’ I said, “1 have really neverworn that bonnet, and it being very fragile,would not like to wear it myself, at night.”
“Oh, you would not make mo take it offnow? Just let mu wear it to night; I’llchristen it for you,” and away she saileddown stairs.
I followed, my cheeks burning like fire.I could not say anything, as the gentlemenwere present, and as it was late they leftimmediately for the theatre. 1 sat downwith my sewing, very quietly, vainly endeav-oring to steady my trembling fingers andcontrol my feelings.
Mrs. Selby chattered upon various topicswith my husband in her most winning mannet. Finally, throwing herself back iu thechair, she said—-
“By*lhe bye, Mrs. May, does Farmer stillkeep his delicious creams? Oh, I remem-ber how delightful they were last season,and ray friends the Adams', where 1 wasstaying, used to take me nearly every
Myhueband fell into the trap, and rising,said—-
“Get your trappings, ladies, and let's goround to Farmer s and see what ho has goodtonight.*’
Mrs. Selby rose immediately.“ I do not care to go," 1 said ; “m* Lead
aches badly."“Oh, 1 am so sorry,” she said ; have acup of tea made, that in the bent thing in
the world for it. 1 will got my bonnut onin a moment, Mr. May," and she ran upstairs.
“By George, wife, these are strange peo-ple, and 1 feci
“Quite ready, Mr. May, and at your scrvice. Hope your poor little head will bebelter by the lime we return."
After they left 1 sat nod considered wbal1 should do. 1 was in a perfect quandary.To let tbeee people go ou this way 1 felt 1could not, with respect to myself. I saw 1bud been made a tool of, by invitation to?isit them, in order to have some place to
YOL. IV.—NO. 32.street. M v old friends, after one visit, saidthey would prefer to remain away for the tpresent; as I had so much company I wouldnot miss them.
CHAPTER VLThe neat week cousin Tom, Mr. Selby. |
and old Mrs. Dash came down. Mrs. Dualisaid she could not stay away any longerfrom her dear Sallie, but Bailie told hermother that she need not expect taking herhome with her, as she was enjoying herselftoo much for that.
Mr. Selby said he had a littlebussiness intown, and when he was through he wouldlake Mrs. Selby home withhim, ifshe wan-ted to £O.Cousin Tom said a certain young ladyhad brought him down, but Faunie, beingso well pleased with her city beaux, did notseem so much rejoiced to see him as he ex-pected.
“Oh, Fannie,” said be, with bis nasaltwang, “you have a fine opportunity hereto go to meeting! and I expect you havebeen mach edified by the very eloquent aer-mons of the Uev. Mr. loudmouth, who, Ihear, is holding forth with much profit, andnightly many are gathered to the fold.”
“1 heard him lost Sabbath,’' said Fannie,“and i felt much edified.”
“Itwas a great privilege,” he said, “andwo will embrace it together on thedirst op-portunity.”
Now these three new additions I fear wasthe “straw that broke the camel's bock.”1 went to Mrs. Selby and said, “Really,madam, the houw is full, as you know, andthe gentlemen will have to go to a hotel. 1have nota room to put them in—not evena spare bed.”
“Nonsense!” sbe said, “you can findroom well enough. You know it would bobut natural you should find room for Mr.Selby, for 1 can tell you it is a rare thingfor him to make a visit.”
“Very true ; but where shall Iput them?”“Ohl” sbe cried, Ihave it!’ bringing
her hands together witha loud clap. “l*uta mattress down on the parlor floor for Mr.Selby and Tom. They would oh willinglysleen there os anywhere.
“HutI haven't even the extra mattress.”“Well, Mrs. May, you have two nice
ones, I think, on your bed, and I am sureyou could spare one of there, rocalone for contriving. 1 will hare them allfixed as nice as mice.”
My huslamd looked as black as thunderas he came home to dinner, and aaw allmy country friends seated round in doubleti le.
“Byheaven I” he cried, as lie rushed upthree steps at a time to our room, “what*does all this mean ? where inSatan’s namedid you pick up all these people 7 Y'ou aresurely trying to drive me to desperation. Iwill abandon the house to you ar.d yourfriends. How came you to bring all thesepeople here—do you think 1 keep a hotel ?it is disgraceful!” he continued, walkingthe floor in the most excited manner, without wailing or listening for replies. “1 haveborne it too long already. 1 thought youhud better sense than to ruin yourself andchildren in this way. You will have no onebut yourself to bluuic for it. I will not sitdown to the table withthese people ; and,as you are so fond ot entertaining, willgive
iou the honor,”saying which he seized his
at and rushed from the house.I felt like cue stupified. Myhusband had
never spoken to me in that way in all ourmarried life. I thought I should go mod.I wept and walked the floor, revolving what1 should do. A tap wus heard at the door,and in walked my mother-in-law. 1 wouldrather have seen his “Satanic majesty”himself just at that moment. Mvfirst im-pulse was to dart under the bed, but hercold gray eye was on me, and I sank intoa chair. She placed her hands akimbo, andlooked at me tor some time without speak-ing. At last sbe said inher moat satirical,cutting manner:“Well, as you arc a wise woman, andknow everything, 1 suppose you are awarethat you arc ruining your husband, and thatyou will all soon be l>eggars, with not ahome to cover your heads? What a foolyou are,” she burst forth, “to destroy yourhusband’s prospects in this way? 1 sup-pose you thiuk 1 will take and support youall, but you ace very much mistaken ; andif I have anything to leave, it will not beleft so you cuu lay your bunds upon it, Iassure you.”
“it was not my fault,” 1 cried ; “I didnot bring them here,”
“Oh.no; of course not! Didn’t I tellyou when you went to the country how itwould be? but you knew better, and wereterribly shocked to think your friends wouldnet be welcome whenever they choose tocome.”
Mv face burned with indignation, for theconduct of both mother and son was un-called for and terribly unjust; forbad notmy husband iusisted on my going? waseven more anxious than I was myself, butwhen disagreeable and unlooked for conic-uueuces arose from it, all the odium wasthrown on me. 1 was so outraged underthis double assault, that 1 could containmyself no longer.
“Madam,” 1 said, “not another word; Ican bear no more.”
“Oh dear! this is pretty.”“Not another word,” 1 cried, stamping
my foot in mad frenzy.The old lady left the house in high dud-
geon.The didder bell soon after rang, and
bathing my eyes hastily, and calming my-self as well as 1 was able, I descended to thedining room. 1 took my scat, making someexcuse for my husband’s absence ; but myguests did not secin to care much for that,by the way they discussed the edibles setbefore them; i never iu my life saw sucheating ; they declared themselves that theydid eat rather hearty, everything was so niceand new to country people.
After dinner my cook was taken sick.—To some, that might have seemed a misfor-tune, but it thrilled me with a suddenthought so joyful, that it almost took awaymy breath. Sbe went to bed, and 1 soonafter proceeded to her room. 1found thatsbe hd not much the matter withher, onlyworn out by her unusual exertions in cook-ingfor the last few weeks.
“Ohl Miss Celia,” she said, “I can’tstand ibis, the hard work is killingo’ me ;1 mutt leave as soon as lam able. Beenwhat a lime you’d had, honey, or wouldn’tstood it dis long. Plague on de company;wish de folks would stay home!”
“Well, Auntie, these people are as an-noying to ir.a as they are to you, and theirimposition 1 will not stand, and if yon willenter into a littleplot withme to get rid ofthem, 1 willgive you one of the nicest dresses1 can find.”
“’Deed 1 will, honey, and right glad too.What shall 1 dof’“Why, Auntie, all you have got to do ia
to lay still and groan.“Ha 1 ha 1 ba I Why dot’s nofin’ to do,
child ; groanin’ does one good.”“Yes, and 1 hope it willdo usboth good
Groan away as much as you please, thilouder the better, and leave the rest to dmand the doctor.”' ,
4, Lotd, missis, yon ain’t gwine to ieacfor do doctor?”
“Never you mind ; do as you are fold,. and remember the new dress.”f “Yes, Pll remember ; have itmake tolarr. able short and gored.”r. “Ohl never mind about that now
i Auntie.” ..
k “Oh! vet 1 doao, honey ja nigger U nol) now days widout de uUkioo.r “Hut you ere so stout,” X said, humote ingth? old woman, “to hare gored dressea.'
spend their winter. That provok- dme still a 1further, but I concluded to wait and commit llwith my hunhand as to what was best to do. pThat night after we had retired I told him n
of my grievances, and how ray new bonnethad been appropriated. At this he laughedheartily.
“That new bonnet: lia! ha I that you athought such a love, ho! bo! ho! Well, aif this is not one of the best jokes I ever fiheard of!’’ ~1 could not keep from laughing, too, al- hthough 1 was vexed. p
, *‘oh, you men,” said I, “have no con-sideration : if it had been your hat, you twould not have thought itsuch a joke.” I“Oh,” said he, commencing lo laugh tagain, “they could have had that and wel-come, and wouldn't they have cut a pretty Ifigure in it!” „
“Robert, do stop jour nonsense, andtalk sensibly.’’ j
“Well,”he said, “joking aside, I wouldtryand bear withthem.” t“But what will we do when the Hunters, tthe Dash's, and all that crowd come?” 1This startled him somewhat. i“By Cieoige, wife, that is a serious mat- 1
ter ; and coining at this time, junt as I am istruggling so hard, and times so awful dull.You see, now, that my mother was right, 1and that week’s visit to the country, I fear,will cost us dearly.” t“Robert,” said I, through my sobs, “I \wish I hud never seen the country, or beenso foolish as to wish lo go. It was a mis- Icrablc visit in every way, and I willnotstand ibis imposition.”
“Well, Cecilia, bear with them for awhile; 1it may not be ns bad as you think ; and ifthe Dash’s and Hunters come, being strang-ers, they will not stay more than u day ortwo; so don’t allow yourself to bo madeunhappy about the affair.”
CHAPTER V.The young Udiefc, at breakfast, were quite
excited over lust night's entertainment; said“they could go every night; never got tired;hoped the gentlemen would luk them to goagain ; that they had given them some broadhints, which they hoped they would under-stand.”
1 After breakfast theyproposed that I shouldgo nut with them shopping. I consumed,and we proceeded to get ready. Whilst
1 dressing 1 thought of my bonnets, as I hud1 retired the evening previous before they hadreturned from the theatre. 1 went to theirroom, and after talking a little, asked furmy bonnets.” #
“Here is the one I wore,” said Fannie,handing itto me.
“There, now,” said Ellen, her face color-ing, “1 forgot all about that bonnet. 1really don’t know what I did with it.”
She began searching about the room, toss-ing clothing about, and failing to find it.
1 then took hold of the bed clothing and be-* gan to shake them. Finally, after eonsider-
-1 able searching, it was fount!; but like somepoor wretch altera railroad accident, it was
‘ no mashed and disfigured as not to be recog--1 nizuble. The girl looked really sorry and
ashamed, but Mrs. Selby made auch a loudou’ery, indulging in such harsh and severelanguage, and it htung the girl to Hitch adegree, that a very serious quarrel would
’ have l>eun the result if 1 had not interposed,and begged them to say no more about it.
Finally, peace being restored, we sallied1 forth. We visited store after store; pieceafter piece of goods was taken down, but
; none of them suited. If the price was low.it was nut good enough ; ifot good quality,the goods were too high ; so, after walking
1 until dinner time, and until 1 was worn‘ completely out, our purchases were two
f yards ofyellow ribbon for tho girls’ hair,and a handkerchief apiece.* “Wo will go again tomorrow; perhaps
things will bo cheaper.”\ “Not likely,” I answered, “that they will
fall much in a day.”‘ “No, I suppose not; butwe willtry some
cheap store, where we can gel bargains.”? Did my readers ever have a country friend,
who had walked them all over the city, vis-’ iting store after store, to the horror ofclerks
' and mortification of theiusolvca, and in the’ end hud bought nothing—never finding
’ enough for ihctr money ?The next day we went out to look at the
bonnets, but Mrs. Selby could never be[ brought to reconcile the very large priewt
withthe very small bonnets.p “If they were only larger,” she said,r “one would not mind the prices o much ;[ but they are so small.”“But they are fashionable,” I said.
| “1 can’t help it,” she replied, shakingher head; “they are not enough for themoney.”
[ 1 saw Ellen and Mrs. Selby whisperingtogether. After awhile Ellen come lo me,j saying—-
* “Dear Mrs. May, I hate to mention that! unfortunate bonnet of yours, but it was
reallj the prettiest bonnet I have seen in& Baltimore, and so very becoming to me,"[ “Yes,” 1 answered, with a sigh, “it was
a very pretty bonnet.”I “Well,” she continued, “I don’t suppose1 you will ever wear itagain. Now, if yongive it to me and let me have it put on a
. new frame, 1 thinkit coaid be made to look1 as good as ever.”
“Oh,”loaid, taming from her indisgust,“ifyou could wear it, you are welcometo iu” •
1 “You are so kind,” said she; I will buyL> a frame aud transfer the material rightaway.”
1 The Sclbys had been with us about two1 weeks, whuu sure enough down come the
. Hunters, and with them Miss Dash. Thislady informed me that her mother could notcome just yet, but would be down shortlyr and scu her, aud do some shopping.; MollieHunter whispered to Fannie, “that
T she might expect soon to sec cousin Tom.”Our house was comfortable, and stifli-
j cienlly large for our own family, with a1 couple of spare rooms for company, butwher; In find room for all these people Icould not tell. I knew tbc-y must be nu-
' comfortably crowded, but I could do nobetter. They declared it was delightful; so
1 sociable and warm.i But to procure food for all these people
won the difficulty. Marketing was high ;butter seventy-five cents per pound, aud
8 everything inproportion. The large amounts* 1 had lo oUI on ray husband for were really
1‘ alarming. Then Mrs. Selby always insisted. on going to market with me, and every nice
1 thing she saw, no matter what the price, sheinsisted on my buying; either she or the
* Hunters were so food of it.My husband began really to look alarmed.
’ “I cannot stand this, Cecilia ; you mustdo on less. You will rain me. You arc
’ calling on my capital now, and 1 cannot gocn at this rale.”
i “I aßwiot help it,” I said, withtears inmy eyoa ; “what can Ido ? lam as savingas 1 can be; but look at all these people toprovide for.”
The Selbys, withthe Hunters and Missa Dash, in the meantime, were enjoying themit selves quite gaily. As they were deter min-n ed lo have plenty of beaux, lliey did notp scruple about the means of procuring them-
They soon became acquainted with theclerks in the various stores whilst on theirnumerous shopping expeditions, and aftera friendly chat invited the young men to
0 visit them. They, nothing loth, aud seeinga good chance*for fun, would come flocking;
it to our house Iu tho evenings mid from their.'• loud laughter and clatter of tongues, a. ntigkt suppose we wore holding a1 night auction. This was very annoying too my husband, as he met men in his parloro that he would not have recognized on tho
“Nebber you mind dat, child ; shape,ebryting must give way to de faabiow.
CHAPTER VII.Leaving the old woman groan fog foatftyv
I put on my bonnet and hastened round Comy cousin's, Dr. Allen’s office. Dr. Allen
wan a rising young physician ofmuch merit,had seen some pretty hard times ic the mil-itary service, but had now settled down inthe city and was slowly but surely, buildinghimself up a fine practice. He was a goodMatured fellow, full of fun, and devoted tome ; in fact I looked on him as a brother.1 soon had him in bis private office, amiwas telling him all my troubles, lie waivery indignant and pitied me very much.
“iwould do anything I could to helpyou, cousin,” he said, but what can I do?I cannot interfere; you have your husband.”
“Ohl I don’t want you to do anythinglothose people,” I said; “but our cook waataken sick this evening, and I thought—ifyou could—l hardly know what—•”
“Is she ill?’ 5 he asked.“Oh ! nos only worn down with work. ,r“Hy Bt. Elizabeth I” he cried, springingto bis feet and dancing round the room, “ifthat old woman don’t have the cholera orthe smallpox before night, 1 will nevermake another pill.”
1 had some such thoughts in my mind,but I did not know how to ask him. and his
Hproposal delighted me. We had alaugh, and 1 felt happier than I had
seka.“Go home now, and announce bow vary
ill she is, and that you have seat for Imdoctor, end 1 will be around ina few min-utes.”
I was soon at home, and found them varymuch alarmed at the old woman’s groans#Iliey said she must lie terribly ill.“ 1 fear she is,” 1 said. “I hope itisaotthe small pox. There are some cases inthe city, but they are mostly confined to thealleys. However, the doctor will soon bahere and we shall see.”
When 1 mentioned small pox, they allturned pale.“Oh I what shall we do? Wherewe go ?” they cried.Directly the doctor’s ring was heard, and
he came in, looking very grave. Ua askadto see the patient, and I conducted him toher room. In about ten minutes he re-turned, looking very much alarmed. Thismade the Misses Hunter shriek.
“Calm yourselves, ladies,” be tsii—-“Don't become exoited.”
“He looked very red in the face, andashamed as be turned to me; for I—if mylife had depended upon it—could not have
. kept a straight face.“Cousin,” he said, “prepare yourself for
the worst. Your cook has one of the veryworst cases ofsmall pox.”
I put my handkerchief to my face and, *nk upon the sofa. (Oh 1 wha a littlehyp-ocrite 1 had been.l The guest* shrieked
and rushed to and fro in utter bewilder-ment. 'They were now as anxious to gelout of the house at they hod ben to get m.
They rushed up stairs and seized bonnetsand baggage in the greatest excitement and
. hurry. One would suppose that the bouse, was on fire, and they were fleeing for life.
Without saying aaieu, or stopping to be-. stow one word of* sympathy ou me, they, fled from the house.
The last seen of them, cousin Tom was| flying down the street ata break neck speed,r his long light hair streaming ia the wind.
bearing inone hand Fannie’s bond box andt in the other a half-sized trunk.
As the last of them disappeared, 1 tamed[ to look for my cousin, bat be was lying ou’ the lounge rolling over and over, fairly
. black in the (ace, while Frank was about-r ing and dancing around him like a youngimp. The picture was too much for me, as| my nerves had been so over-wrought, and |
became hysterical, and laughed ana eriad, by tuma.
When my husband returned in tua even-I ing, and learned what bad happened, hashook the doctor warmly by the hand.I “My dear sir,” he said, “it was a narrowi escape, and you have saved me jast in timeI from ruin fur with these expenditures atr home, and business dall, 1 could not huva
held out. Inanother week my name wouldi have been among the failures. As it is, I
[ fear we shall have to sell onr#furniture sad> take board, for 1 sea no other'way of meet*
[ ing my payments.”“Oh! Robert,” I said, “yon must not do
1 that: you know youhate soranch to board.”“I know I do; but we must do the best
1 wa can.”I “As you think I canned all this misfor-
. tune,” I said, with u sob, “I win see ifI something can’t be done better than that”> “Ok,” he said, “forgive me, darting, for
all those cruel words 1 ud, but the sightt ot all those country Jake., drawn up w¦ double line, u too trying to me.”t
“
Husband.” 1 laid, aa I (are him tbSi kiss of reconciliation, •‘I bare a better plan;t which, if Ton will let me cany oat. win• close our Jours against country —TUlirs cat, and also help ns at Ibis lime,”r “Well, wbat it itT"i “lot me lake a few hnaultra reosgb hipay onr table expenses.”
[ '‘Oh, no, Cecilia; I eoald net submitthat, indeed.”
“Did yon not spy we most do the bests*; could T and I think this the Tory beat thimr
we could do.”-Yea, May,” said the Doctor, “lether
hare her own way. I am about changing1 my boarding houae, and will come if yaw
- willlet me, and bring half a dozcu young3 gentlemen with me.””s I succeeded beyond my brightest expesta-I tions. 1 had a delightful set of boards^
, and we were all like one family,t Making no more calls on myKnshnnd far> money, bo soon recovered Arms his way ling embarrassments, tiroes hisame hilgtem,e and the terrible wave that bad eonaa aooaor
engulfing ua, rolled away, and left aa oatm-- er and more secure than before.
1 never forgot the loaaon learned by mya one week's visit to the country; and iffy am ever tempted to ruraliae, i’lltaka myn family to some pleasant watering place, fori lam sure 1 shall find it by tar the cheapesty way ofvisiting.
The “oldest inhabitant” has been; reading a series of article* on the adnU,i teration of Ignores, and has arrived att a somewhat singular conclusion. Iksi analysis of tbooe liquors showed an
average of shout sixty-five parts of waterr to thirty-ire of spirts. “They don’t
11 give the spirts a fair cbaooc,” said awif aged bacchanal; “they'll beep on foolings with water till itdepopulates tbs earth
_
i, There is nothing purer thus honesty jnothing sweater than charity ; wntMiur
0, warmer than love; nothing bright**than virtue, sod nothing more atsnd-fast than faith. These united hi own
~e misd form the purest, sweetest, tbsrichest, the brightest and most steadfasttd happiness.
i’ Never, says some wiseacre, eonlds inr. young man—new pails task. Karat
tell your sseretl to tbs aged—old doorsr, selAoa shut efotefr.)f ' There is a man who has such a goodm. temper that he hires himself.t iajaut).." mer to keep people cool.
: 1, -Amm