Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-04-21
From Miss Leslie's Magazine.
L H E TWO NJ AIDENS.
by T. s. ARTHUR.

Good morning, Mrs. Hinton said Martha
Green. lifting her head, as visitor entered
the room in which she sat, buslly engaged in
sewing, You see that am full of work.
So you seem to be- was the quiet reply,
but suppose you can spare tonight, for
work of mercy7'
How work of mercy, Mrs. Hinton?'
Poor old Mrs. Bender is very ill-so i'll
that she cannot be left alone any length of
time. have been up with her two nights
in succession, and am now looking for one
or two young ladies who will take charge of
her tonight. Can depend on you?
Not tonight, Mrs. Hinton. ii would be
impossible 1t will take me till IL to night.
and the most part of Tomorrow, to finish this
dress, which | must wear at Mrs. Corrie's
party Tomorrow evening. Any other time
l would 60 with pleasure
. am really sorry for that have been
to two or three this morning, and all have de-
cllned on account Of this party
Hannah Ball can 20 as readily as not.
Mrs. Hinton. She had her new dress made
at the mantua- Makers
81 have seen Hannah
Does she decline 2
Yes
That's very strange. What reason does
she give7'
She says that If she were to sit up to-
night, it would ruin her appearance to- NOR
row evening-that it would make her look
dreadful
There is something in that, you know
yourself, Mrs. Hinton. Loss of rest has the
same effect upon me. don't look fit to be
seen for two or three days after losing
nights Sleep
Yes, l know that sitting up does not I'M
prove the looks much Mrs. Hinton gravely
remarked; and then, after pausing a few
moments, got up, and said, as she moved TO-
wards the door
Well, | must bid you good morning,
Martha; time is passing, and l must find
some one who will relieve me, or shall get
sick myself
Il do hope you WILL Martha said, in
tone OF concern. Were | not situated Just
as am, should 60 with pleasure And
then the visitor went away. After her de-
parture, Martha Green sat thoughtful for
some time. She did not feel altogether sat.
ished with herself, and yet, on reflection, she
could not see any cause for self-condemna-
ton. Sincerely did she pity the condition
of poor old Mrs. Bender, who was nearly
seventy years of age, sick, and without any
one in the world up to whom she could look
and claim. from consanguinity, single kind
ofhce. But it was impossible for her to CO.
she reasoned, in the effort to quiet her un.
easy feelings, under the circumstances-ut-
terly impossible Still she sat thoughtful.
y, without resuming her needle. At length
she aroused herself with the half audible re-
mark Somebody will 60. of course land
that settled the matter.
1t was, perhaps, IAN hour after, that young
friend. and confdant, dropped in to sit an
hour with Martha. The conversation run.
OF course on the party to be held at Mrs.
| Corrie's.
You will look beautiful, in this dress. >
the friend remarked, lifting portion of the
garment upon which Martha was at work, IN
her hand. 1t suits your complexion admi.
rably besides being of rich material, and
attractive, yet appropriate andnot too gaudy
in color
IL am glad you think So Martha replied
with smile Of satisfaction. Il don't be.
lieve there will be any thing half so elegant
at the party There will at least be one
dress there that will fully equal it, the visi-
Are you sure9' in tone of disappoint-
ment.
Yes. As cana along this morning, on
my way here, dropped ia moment to s. zee
Ellen Willard, and found her at work as YOU
are, upon her dress. She has certainly s,,-
lected It with exquisite taste. Mach as adj
mlre yours, l really think that should pre.
fer the one she has chosen. She will attract
much attention, of course, for YOU know that
she is girl of great deal of taste. and
knows how to dress to the very best adyan.
tage.'
This intelligence had the effect to change
naturally the tone of Martha's feelings. A
Tar as was in her power, she concealed this
change from her friend, but after she had left.
her countenance expressed much concern
The reason was this. A young man named
Alton, had paid her good MANY attention,
for the last few months, and of such a marLS
ed kind, that she had suffered her alrec,;on,
to become good deal interested. The er.
tent Of this interest had not become apparen,
to herself, until within week or two. du.