Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-07-23
From Graham's Magazine.
OLD AND UGLY.
by MRS. HUGus.


"l wonder where Miss Darnley isl" said the
lady wa have before mentioned as an admir-
er Of our heroine, on taking her seat, which was
next 10 Mrs MEMS, at the supper table. "She
half promised me TO Join US ut supper this even
ing. She has never yet taken meal OUT OF hei
mothers room since she came. She IS mos
exemplary daughter"
She pays her mother great attention no doubt,
returned Mrs. Mein.
"If Won wish TO know where Miss Darnley
is" said the skeleton, who, TO Charoue's morii'
fcalion seemed always to be where she leas
wished him-"I can tell you, for | saw her only
a few minutes ago in the house Of mourning
hushing the young infant that the mothers dis.
ress rendered her incapable Of attending to, on
her bosom, and lullng its cries with a voice
that might have been taken for an 'aangel's whis-
per-"
THAT is just like her." rejoined the lady; ''sha
sets US all an example, which we should do well
TO follow"
alt is a part other business to play the amia-
be-" said Charlotte, whose evil star would not
permit her to be silent. "She is always writing
about some fine heroine or other and by degrees,
| suppose, she learns to act the character"
"But as she must have 10 describe characters
of contrary description" said her antagonist,
show does it happen that she never learns to act
the bad onesl"
"Perhaps she doesl We are not always with
her 10 know how she octs.'
'Butw we have pretty good authority for know
ing that she not only never negIects her duty,
but even sometimes goes beyond II. How ma
nv daughters could we find who would, by their
own hard labor, pay any Of their fathers debsl"
This was a home thrust. that slCnced even
Charlotte, and made Mrs. Mein sit very uneas-
ly on her scat, for as Mr.. Metn was the only one
Of Mr.. Darnley's creditors who could be prevail
ed upon 10 receive any Of the fruits of his daugh-
ier's abors, in payment OF the fathers debts, she
could not bat suppose that this extraordinary
character, who appeared so well acquainted with
Maria's history, knew perfectly well who the
creditor was that had accepted payment from
her. Anxious, therefore, 10 put stop TO the
conversation, and but llrle disposed to eat, she
rose from the table, and proceeded TO the piazza,
followed by her daughters, the lady her neigh
Dor, and the obtrusivc skeleton, or, as he might
be called, their shadow, for he never seemed TO
be many yards from them. Just as they got on
10 the piazza, Maria appeared, returning from her
visit of benevolenco and Mrs. Mein, who felt
that every attempt to put Maria down had pro-
duced very contrary result, whispered to Char
loue to let Maria be, whilst she herself determn-
ed TO take a patronizing tone, and therefore, ar-
costing her, she said
"Well, Maria, you have been acting with your
usual benevolencel hope you have got your
little charge hushed TO seepl"
"Yes, | believe it is, at last in sound sIeep!'
returned Maria. "But how did you know where
had beenl Have you, too, been there!"
"The ske--ths gentleman told us!" said Char
lotte, and for once blush of shame sutiused the
face ofthe generally unbushing girl.
"Then you, no doubt, were the person." said
Maria, turning with look almost ofreverenco to
Charlotte's enemy, "who put the liberal dona-
ton into the little girls hand, to be given TO her
mother when she was more composed; and which
the child gave TO me 10 take care OF, I'LL that time.
You must have moved very softly, for was un-
conscious of any one having been in the house" "
81 moved on tiptoe," replied the other, "ior
was afraid of disturbing the poor woman; and
would not for the world have interrupted one ol
those sweet notes which even the little infant
seemed to feel. simply, therefore, butmy mite
into the child's hand, and retired"
"Mte' repeated Maria, involuntariIy; then
added, with q sweet smile--"l do not know whe-
ther might not be in danger ofenvylng you the
mower that you have exercised so literally, were
not aware that there are services which 'gold
can never buy that are scarcely less impor-
tant, and which are in the power of the most
destitute to administer. So that between the
Two, hope the poor family will receive all the
comfort that circumstances will admit"
"Oh, should not wonder if they are, before
long, in a better situation than they ever were in
therlves BEFORE" said Mrs. Men. "There are
great many rich people here at present, and il
you, Maria, would take upon yourself TO plead
their cause, it is not an unlikely thing that you
might raise quite large sum-"
"Then suppose | commence with you" re-
turned Maria, who was not without spice oi
mischief in her rcomposition; and, bespoke, she
took pencil, which was suspended round her
neck, and letter from her reticule. "And now
ma'am," she continued, "what sum shall put
opposite 10 the name Of Mrs. Meinl"
''Oh, am not one of the rich ones!" cried
ahat lady. ''Itis very little have in my power
90 give, at any time, and especially when at this
expensive place. Besides, understand there is
10 be a subscription paper handed round the din
ner table tomorrow, so that must keep my NIT
to give then, for one does not like TO be singular
you know"
Some little accidental circumstance now inter
rupted the conversation. Maria fastened to he
mother. The skeleton--but we pretend not tc
keep cognizance Of him. Mrs. Men sat dowr
to watch her daughters promenade, laugh, giggle
and make themselves very agreeable with tht
young dandies.
The following morning Maria was returning
from the house ormourning, where she had beer
an early vsiter, rendering every assistance tha
tenderness and sympathy could afford but hel
mind occupied, as she pursued her way, witt
one engrossing subject; for though Mara'