The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-10-17

iRgness of his once worshiped wife with n
calm philosophy, in which sympathy in his
uncle's irritation, and Consciousness OF the
truth of his uncle's severe remarks, seemed
TO be far more prominent than any wish To
defend or excuse the defects commented
upon.
But the time came when the deceitful
calm, broken only at intervals by slight
breezes, was to give place to the storm and
shlpwreck. Sir Douglas, la vouchsating
once more to smile on his offending nephew,
ior the sake OF the little pledge before mem
toned, had arrogated To himself all the
privileges "f father, mother, grandfather
and grandmother, uncle and guardian, in
one. Ills natural obstinacy seemed TO have
found constant subject of exercise.
whether the point to be decided were great
or small---the choice of the young Greme's |
future profession, or Of the days dinner OF
broth or pap-equally authoritative, equally |
determined, was the sturdy Sir Douglas.
An unhappy difference mad disinclina-
ton on the part of Mrs. Grgnme To the clan
tartan, and an expressed wish to substitute
the royal Stuart us proper dress for her
boy, caused an open breach. Sir Douglas
was bitter and naughty beyond even his
usual manner Mrs. Grame was sick
peevsh, and looking forward to the birth
Of another little Greme. High words we're
exchanged and Aberfoy had the saiislac-
tion, ns he flung open the door on his re-
turn from shooting, 10 hear his languid,
passive beauty's thanks to God, that she
could afford to dress her child without de-
nnnoIup ~ f,iIa,y,I h..
bitter execration, pronounced by the baro-
net on his own immortal soul for having
ever been fool enough to countenance and
protect the daughter of black and II
command that she would forthwith remove
herself, her child, and all that belonged To
her, from the castle which her presence
had polluted, nnd her tartan prediction
disgraced. The quarrel may appear ridic-
ulous--thc cause inadequate-tbe conduct
of both parties improbable: but those only
who have witnessed it can vouch for the IN
tense fury produced by slight causes, whore
mutual disinclination and strong prejudice
give every word double force to wound,
and make every action an offence.
Many years had passed away between
the date Of this dispute and the disturbing
squalls Of the three children, with which
we opened our narrative. Many changes
had taken place. Mrs. Grgme had grown
fatter, more indolent, and more complain
ing, with occasional fits of suIlenness 10 VA
ry her existence. Aberfoy's luxurant
black hair was beginning to be much sprin-
kled with gray, and his figure was losing
the mir Of strength and activity il Ind for
merly possessed; he had taken greatly to
drinking, and gave way To sudden fits oi
passion, the yehcmence Of which was some
times fearful. His frank, happy manner
was goue, aud he had that cramped cold
feeling about his heart, peculiar to men
whose wives do not suit them, and who
cannot pay their quarterly bills. The gen
ersl opinion IN the country was, that i" A.
berfoy would be ruined i Sir Douglas did
not leave him his property" 1t was then
already matter Of doubt with some wheth-
er eventually some other destination might
not be found for the gold in his uncle's cof-
| fers, and the woods Oh his uncle's hills.
Indy GrG'ne had long since brea,hed her
last npoplcc,ic sigh, aud the widower had
betakcn himself Ito the astonishment of his
nephew, friends and tcnantry) to a length
ened residence in England, and Aberioy
. sighed as hc caught glimpse Of IFS gray
. iurrets from one hill to another aud sigh
ed too when he looked at his two beautiful
/ boys, as they clambered up the rock aud
J mountain, wild, sturdy, and radinnt with
health, to think that their granduncle bad
|, not an opportunity of seeing how well he
wus provided with heirs in n direct line.
Sir Douglas ut length returned for liule
while. No notice was taken of the inmates
Of Aberfoy bat accident throwing the two
children in his way, he was struck by their
beauty and intelligence; took them with
him to the castle showed them hunting
horns and powder pouches, stuffed deer
and ptarmigan aud finally takiUg IT into
his head that one Of his favorite dogs could
be spared, and ns he was unaccounta-
1 bly, touched by the display Of affection IN
the brute for the child whom his domestics
would have deemed it impoltic and inso-
lent to caress while under the ban Of their
chief; he gavc the dog 10 II,tIe Douglass,
and told him to bring his brother to the cas-
tic whenever they liked to come. Sunshine,
in all its splepdor, never frightened the face
of nature in the eye of man, as did the IN
tclligence brought by the children to Aber-
foy. Ills boys-his beloved boys--would
at least be masters Of the castle his own
struggles and cmbarrassments, petty priva-
tions aud yeIations, what are they IT
he died involved If he died 10 prison-his
boys would still be provided for. For the
first time for several years, Aberloy felt san
guine, hopeful, inspired; for the first time
for many months Of increasing pressure and
discomfort, he smiled, jested, aud tapped
RayIy at Mrs. Grnme's window, TO announce
the iidings, instead Of dawdling sullenly in
to the little old-fashioned parlor, and fling
ing himself into his fathers high chair,
with his eyes vacantly fixed on his fathers
old gu,s as il hung above the monile-piece
But, alas for the obsiinncy Of women 10
oeneral-of Mrs. Crap,e in particular: the