Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-04-28


Mrs Brupyeman. pleased that her GRAND
would afford her an excuse for the grasihcation
of her curiosity, 10 the survey OF the interior OF
her rich neighbours house, hustled away 'nough
not without grumbling pro?hecy that she
should get her labor for her pains Only that
Lena would have grieved 10 hear that Maurice
could behave uneenerousl sly, she almost wished
tina, he would refuse to listen TO the application
Her mother was absent tedious time, but she
came home at last in high good humor. "eil'
Lena" said she, placing weil-hi'ed purse up
on the table, "after all, the young man Is Urt'er
disposed towards US than we imagined "na'
house he has got! what tapestry hanginss!-
You shall not see finer in all Arras. And then
the gold and silver plate, and the CHINA! you
would bless your stars to reckon up tne costly
things that he has collected together' however,
as was saying, he received me as 1t were win
open arms; though, what with time, ana lre'-
ting, and poor living, and tie alteration IN my
dress, he did not recolect me until mentioned
my name. IT'S no wonder; Tor instead OF this
mean grogram stuff, used 20 wear rich taffeta
silk at three crowns the ell, the hnest Of cam
brcs, and long scarlet cardinal OF English
wool inlaid with lace OF gold fingers depth.
But where did leave off! Oh, Maurice was
quite aghast when he heard OF our distress, Tor
somebody had told him that we lived with
! rich relation al Namur, and were well TO do IN
the world. Icould NOT dissuade him from o.
peuing bottle Of wine solely and expressly
for me, none. Of the common sort, but the real
Hungarian, such as never tasted even IN MI
Bruggemann's time; and he inquired Tor you,
Lena, and asked if you were married. No, no,
says9, these are not the days for poor maidens
to get husbands; she might, 10 be sure, have
been the spouse Of thriving tanner, but she
could not stoop so low, so she is single, and
likely to be, for people in her own rank in lille
look higher" ooh, mother" cried Lena -
"WeIl, well, child!' returned Mrs. Brusgemann
"there was no harm done. | thought ne blush
ed, as well he might; but he is like to prove
good friend 10 US, and see no use in refusing
the cash which fortune may throw in eur way,
GU, of a silly pride We may have done with
pride, think, when we have scarcely bread TO
eat I suppose not less than six families are
fed with the broken meat from ketter's table
but he was TOO polite, remembering what we
had been, TO offer me any thing like an aims,
and so he asked me- to accept pig ard some
poultry, and stuff from his garden and stables
TO fat them, which will he exceedingly helpful,
YOU know, to keep the wolf from the door Let
me see, the eggs will fetch pretty good price,
and neiehbor Schlutter will give me the full va
lue of the pig, at Christmas. But bless me!
had like to have forgo,-Maurice' says he is to
be married very shortly, and that he will ask
Miss Hodenbers 10 employ you in the embroi-
derry Of her bridal robe"
This was the climax. Poor Lena with dill
feully restrained her tears; every word that her
| Il Iapr in her
but she carefully concealed her, distress; she
could not bear that her weakness should be
known even to parent, and trembled lest any
accident should reveal the tender, the impas-
stoned feelings which in despite ofthc hopeless
ness Of her attachment, she cherished for Mau-
rice Ke,,ler She had loved him from her Gar
lest childhood and now that she had continu-
al opportunities Of observing him unseen. The
apparent excellence of his disposition, his fine
person and frank demeanour, increased the pre-
possession in his favour, and rendered him the
sole object Of her earthly wishes.
The pig and the fowls were duly delivered,
together with sundrv other presents, and Mau-
rice sen, word that he would call the next morn
ing and see his old playfellow, and bring Miss
Hodenburgb with him, TO choose the adorn-
men,s OF her nuriuat attire. Lena rose early,
an0 put ntf apartment Ih lIiii o'o'i win "'"
! W heart. Almost unconsciously she took more
than ordinary pains in her own attire, which,
always neat and simple, was very becoming to
her fair face and slender form. She bound her
| bright tresses with knots of blue ribband, and
laced her bodice with the same. AT the APP
pointed nour the naughty Cunegonde came
sweeping in attended BY her lover Lena, tho
! extremely agi,aled, could no, help observing
the look of admiration and surprise which
Maurice cast upon her. II did not escape the
quick ewes Of his affianced bride; and she shew-
ed her dspleasure by an instantaneous altera
ton in her temper; the smiles disappeared from
her scornfullips, she scanned the mean dwell
ing with naughty glance, found fault with the
poor girls most exquisitely wrought embro'-
derry, and gave her strict charge 10 take more
pains with the workmanship oil the rob e,whieh
after changing her mind thousand times, she
at last selected, and then, as il glad that the irk
some duty Of patronizlng the unfortunate was
a, an end, flounced out Of the room. Maurice
fingered behind to say kind word, but Cune,
gonde called him TO open the lower door, and
he took hasty leave. Thus ended the dread
ed interview; and Lena having dispatched her
mother to purchase the materials Tor the bridal
Il