The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-04-04
II II f N e w Err A
From Arthur's Magazine.
THE YOUNG MINISTER
BY FANNY FORESTER.

- Our May, as every body called May Loom
ls was the merriest, blithsomest, busiest little
creature that ever you saw-a perfect honey
gaherer without the sting-an April smile, with
cousin S face for the contrasting cloud 1t
seemed impossible to bring a shade of seriousness
over that joyous face; for, although have seen
tears starting from her eyes, they were always
checked by smile, or ifsuifered to fall upon her
face, they were lost in prOfuslon of rouuish
dimples
Our May had cousin, the cloud above men
toned, who rejoiced in the same appellation but
although every body said that Miss May Loomis
was very excellent young lady, no one ever
thought of placing the possessve befure her
name indeed, do not think Miss May would
have liked such partnership concern, for she
had high opinion of her own dignity, and she
thought it must be very painful to any lady of
deicacy TO be hailed by all she met as though
under their especial protection The good natured
laugh of the old farmers shocked her delicate
nerves, and the cordial grasp their horny hands
was quite too much for lady endurance Miss
May was very often annoyed when walking with
her cousin, by the exclamation, There goes our
May !" from the lips of some poor washerwoman.
or and-boy and then to see them fly across
the street, as though terms of the grea est in
lImacy why II was preposeruus. So presum-
ing! But Miss May was still more ANNOYED at
the excessive vulgarity of her thoughtIcss little
cousin, who would often stop in The street to in
quire after the health and prosperity Of the often
ders, and send some little message 10 the children
at home. On such occasions The cloud usually
drew herself up 10 her utmost height and to
avoid the disgrace of such improper conduct
walked home alone. in the most dlgnifed manner
But then Miss Mays walk was always dignii-
ed, 1T walking by rule and compass constitutes
dignity, and she was never known to do an i'm
proper thing in her life. She always carried her
hands In one particular position, except when, for
the sake OF variety, she changed them TO one
other particular position and her pocket hand
kerchief, which she held between the thumb and
linger OF the left hand, was allowed 10 spread
itself over the three remaining fingers in a very
becoming manner. Her neck riband was always
crossed upon her bosom, the two ends of precisely
the same length; and her collar never had In it
wrinkle There were two or three pais in
The waist of her dress, because somebody that
she considered lndlsputabe' authority, had said
that plais were graceful; but she carefully es-
chewed all extravaganza, in the quantity, if not
The quality, of the cloth she hon0red by wearing
Her hair (this was the climax Of the young lady's
ncety,) was carefully brushed and pomatnm
ed, that 1t seemed one glossy convex surface,
snrmouned by braid ONO one could have
imagined what, but for the pale blue riband that
relieved the brown, and gave The curious examiner
the idea that it might be of the same material as
the head covering.
Miss Mays nicely extended to everything about
her. Her house plants were prim and perpen
dcular, trimmed of every redundant leaf and she
was often heard to lament an opening blossom.
because it would produce irIeguarity by throwing
the balance of ornament on one side of the pIant
1 he cloud was fond of exercising her skill in
trImmlng trees in the shape OF cones and other
hgu?es, while her cousin fOs;ered luxuriance i'm
their growth, and would rather hang on them
wilder wreath, or twist limb awry, than to see
the ornaments of her uncle's garden standing on,
STARK and stiff, like the spokes of wagon wheel
Yet the cousins never clasbed, for the regularity
OF Miss May extended to her disposition and
heart, and having her own excellent rule of recti
tude, she would as soon have been caught lauoh-
ing aloud, or rompng IN the court yard, or wear
Ing rumpled dress, as swerving from it in the
slightest degree. On the other hand. our Nav
was too careless and too light hearted 10 be an.
noyed by her nice Cousins tr0ng peculiarires;
and she never opposed her tastes, nor interrupted
her In any thing except lecture on propriety.-
Miss May never spoke but in the gentlest voice,
and the most unexceptionable words; but then
she often felt it to be her duty 10 admonsh her
wild cousin of the folly Of her doings, which ad-
monlons orr active little Iebe found peculiarly
lrksome. She, however, soon invented way Of
wardlng off these aYalanches of good advice
quite worthy OF her wit. When Miss May would
enter the parlOr with grave look of reproof. and
C"'hWeHce Win lhe OUlnOuS words, - NV dear
cousin, feel it my duty to exposlulate"-the
offender would interrupt her.
" Oh, dear COZ, wait minute May deary, |
have something to tell you. Mr.. MeIfoy--''
This sentence was sometimes finished in one
way and Sometimes in another; but Mr. Melroy
was the magic word and after making her fair
monitress blush crimson, the little tormentor
would glide out of the room, and express herself
graduation by laugh as long and loud as /, was
musical
Mr.. Melroy was or village clergyman a Young
bachelor Of twenty eight, and general fayorite
with all classes Of men. He was friendly and
courteous with all, for he looked upon the whole
human family ashis kindred and his heart never
refused to The meanest beggar the appoaion.
brother His voice was full and meloJious. bat
somewhat solemn his countenance exhibited
dash OF melancholy, though 50 modified by Chris.
tan beneyolence as TO be peculiarly interesting
and his manner was correct and pentlefnanly
The two cousins were members Of Mr. NIelrnv5s
church and their uncle, Squire LOOMS, was his
personal friend it is at not all 10 be wondered
at that he became their frequent visi,er. Neither
| is il a matter Of wonder that our volatile Nav
conirasted as she was with her grave comnaoion
should almost escape the young pastors notice
| Oar May saw that Mr.. Melroy's attention was
all directed to the cloud but she was not sorry.
| for il gave her an Opportunitv q, ,,.,.L -. Z