The North-Carolina standard., 1842-11-23
committed my only daughter to another's guar

Pardon me, dear mamma, returned Ellen
somewhat softened, "I did not intend to wound
your feelings and am extremely sorry, for the i'll
natured things have said but, really mamma I
couldn't help laughing, indeed could not"
Months passed away, and Mrs Norths utmost
exertons were insufficient to eradicate the preiu-
dices of Ellen, which she had imbibed during the
year that she had travelled with her cousins
She had the utmost dread of what she called par
ren~ society, and very careful never to recog-
nlze as an acquaintance, any but those who hap
| pened to belong to particular circle. The con-
sequence was that she lost the opportunity of gain
ing great deal of useful information, rendered
herself unhappy, made enemies unnecessarily, and
often incurred the ridicule of her friends.
1t was more than year after the conversation
recorded at the commencement of our chapter,
that Mr. North entered the parlor earlier than was
his wont. and strobe two or three times across it,
then with an air of dogged discrimination, stopped
short, and exclaimed, "Well, it's of no use to con-
ceal it any longer-its an ugly piece of business,
and the sooner you know it the, better" Mrs.
North, in some surprise, closed the volume she
was reading and Ellen, astonished more at her
fathers strange than his words, let fall her
embroidery frame, and started to her feet. Mr.
North continued III a softer tone, ''Y ou my dear
Jane, who have never been elated by prosperity,
will, know, bear our reverses well, but Ellen,-
what will her boasted accomplishments avail her,
when she finds herself beggar?"
"What do you mean 2' asked Mrs. North,
with as much camness as she could command
'SSimply that have faied-not fashionably,
but utterly and hopelessly, and on looking over
my accounts tonight, find that I have not pen
ny can honestly call my own, not even enough
to procure a shelter for our heads. This has not
driven crazy, as it docs some men, because
know have a sensible wife" A sob from Ell
len, who was extended on the sofa, interrupted
him, and seeing that the face of his wife was very
pale, he ventured to express hope that all might
not vet be rs bad as he supposed.
1t was in vain that Mr. North endeavored to
encourage his family His affairs were quite as
much deranged as he had represented them, and
he scorncd all subtcrfIge, the news soon spread
throughout the city
1t was with difficulty that Mrs North preserved
her calmnrss through the scenes that followed
and Ellen, finding herself neglected by the sum-
mer friends she had trusted confined herselfto her
apartment.
A week passed away and the little family hay
ing partially recovered from the shock were once
more seated in the pleasant back parlor, endeavor
ing to devise some means of future support.
"It is quite as bad as | expected" said Mr.
North, "but I will not retain penny lawfully
anothrr's / have been unwise, blind, mad per
haps, but l will not be unjust. If only had a
place where 1 could with propriety leave you and
Ellen"
Why not let US 60 to uncle's, papa 2" asked
Ellen
"Bec1use," returned the father, g although your
punishment be just, it might not be salutary. You
would now be among them, the very being they
taught you to dcspise."
q Oh my cousins" Ellen began, but she remem-
bered their exclusive notions, and the unexpected
change in her other friends, and burst into tears
/" Oh dear, dear ' exclaimed the poor girl " to
think there was not one true friend among them
ALL"
"Because the friendship was built on a wrong
basis" said Mrs North not however without
sigh, for she too had been deceived
ga letter, sir !'' said seruant entering-Mr.
North took the letter, gave it a cursory glance,
and threw it on the table.
"Why don't you read it 2' inquired his wife.
because we have more important business now,
than reading the letters Of strangers" said Mr..
North, examining the seal. "The post-mark is
indstinct and the hand writing strange, some bu--
siness communication presume, and have done
with business"
"No, not done with it" said his wife cheerfully,
'only laying plans to begin anew. But if you
will read your letter, when you have finished,
will disclose to you little plan of my own" Mr..
North broke the seal, and listessly cast his eye
upon the page. The contents however seemed Of
more consequence than he had imagined, for his
face suddenly became flushed, his lip quivered,
and the big drops collected in his eye rolled down
his cheek, and lodged upon the paper. He had
not wept before, and his wife was alarmed.
'There, read it." said he, passing the letter to her
hand, 81 cannot Mrs. North read aloud:
''De0r Ned-A piece of news which reached
my ears last night has made me bold enough to
write and demand favor of you. Now don't re-
fuse me- for have quite set my heart upon it,
and shall follow my letter to town as soon as DOS,
siblc to use force if necessary to carry you OF
have house close by my own that l should be
glad to lease, and it would be such delightful
thing to have you for a neighbor, that am deter
mined to carry the point with you You may as
we'll sell off your fine furniture for you would
have no use for it here and l have good solid far
mers stuff enough to make your new mansion
quite decent and comfortable. l insist on your
coming, at least to spend the summer with US, but
viii. promise when you get weary ofa country
life to detain you no longer.
RICHARD SELwYN"
"The vulgar old co1ger," said Mrs. North, in
a low tone to Ellen; but Ellen had at the com
nencenent of the letter, as if she more than gucs-
sed its author buried her face in the sofa cushions