The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1842-10-29

help laughing, indeed could not"
Months passed away, and Mrs. North's
utmost exertions were insufficient TO era
dictate the prejudices Of Ellen, which she
imbbed during year that she had travel
led with her cousins. She had the ut-
most dread of what she called parrenu
society. and was very careful not to recog
nize as an acquaintance, any but those who
happened to belong to peculiar circle
The consequence was, that she lost the
opportunity OF gaming great deal of
useful information, rendered herself I'M
happy, made enemies unnecessarily, and
often incurred the ridicule of her friends.
1t was more than year after the con-
versatlon 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 logged Determination. stop
pet short and exclaimed, swell. its of no
use to conceal it any longer-it's an.ugly
piece of business, and the sooner you
know it the bener.n Mrs. North. in
some surprise. closed the volum she was
reading, and Ellen, astonished more at
her fathers strange manner than his
words, let fall her embroidery frame, and
started to her feet Mr.. North continued
in softer tone, ny OH my dear Jane, who
have never been elated by prosperity, will
| know, bear our reverses well, but Ellen
what will her boosted accomplishments
avail her, when she finds herself beg
gar2"
"What do you mean?" asked Mrs. North,
wirh as much calnness as she could COM
mand.
"Simply that have failed-not FASH
ionably, but utterly and hopelessly, and
on looking over my accounts tonight. ]
find that have not penny can honest
ly call my own, not even enough to pro-
cure shelter for our heads. This has
not driven me crazy, as it does some men,
because know have sensible wife"
A sob from Ellen, who was extended on
the sofa, interrupted him, and seeing that
the face of his wife was very pale, he ven
lured to express hope that all might no,
yet be as bad as he supposed.
twas in vain that MIR. N orlh endeavor-
ed to encourage his family. His affairs
were quite as much deranged as he
had represented them, and as he scorned
all subterluge, the news soon spread
throughout the city.
1t was with difficulty that Mrs North
preserved her calmness through the scenes
that followed, and Ellen, finding herself
neglected by the summer friends she
had trusted, confined herself to her apart
ment.
A week passed away, and the little
family having partially recovered from
the shock, were once more seated in the
pleasant parlor, endeavoring TO devise
some means of future support.
sit is quite as bad as expected" said
Mr.. North, shut will not retain penny
lawfully another's. have been unwise,
blind, mad perhaps. but will not be I'M
just. If only had place where | could
with propriety leave you and Ellen"
"W by not let us 60 to uncle's, papa?"
asked Ellen.
Because returned the father, "although
your punishment be just, it might not be
salutary. You would now be among
them, the very being they taught you to
despise.''
"Oh my cousins" 50 Ellen began, but
she remembered their ex elusive notions,
and the unexpected change In her other
friends, and burst into tears. sob dear,
dear!o exclaimed the poor girl, ITO think
there was not one true friend among them
ALL"
because the friendship was built on a
wrong basis" said Mrs. North, not how
ever, without sigh, for she too had been
deceived.
"a letter, sir" said servant entering
Mr. N orth took the letter, gave it curso-
ry, glance and then threw it on the table.
Why don't you read it" inquired his
wife.
because we have more important busi-
ness now, than reading the letters of
Strangers said Mr.. n orlh, examining the
seal. "The post-mark is indistnct, and
the hand writing strange, some business
communication | presume, and | have
done with business"
"No, not done with it," said his life
cheefu?ly, "only leying plans to begin
anew. Buff you will read your letter,
when you have finished, will disclose to
you little plan of my own" Mr.. Worth
broke the seal, and lisllessly cast his eye
upon the page. The contents however
seemed of more consequences than he had
imagined, for his face sudden y 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, lead il'' said he, passing the let
ter to her hand, 81 cannot" Mrs, North