Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-07-16
From Graham's Magazine.
OLD AND UGLY.
BY MRS. HUGHs.

suburbs OF New York. The furniture whlch lhe
apartment was capable Of containing, though the
quantity was scanty, was Of such quality as TO
bespeak It originally to have belonged to man
sion Of much more important description than
that which it now occupied, at the same time that
itproved its owners TO have possessed taste, as
we'll as wealth, when they made the selection.
On one side of this room sat, engaged with some
knitting, an elderly female, whose pale face and
attenuated form bespoke long continued suffer-
ing; whilst the mild and resigned expression OF
her countenance proved that though sickness and
sorrow had worn down her frame, they had not
impaired the gentle and pous endurance of her
mild and humble spirit. On the other side was
seated, at a small but elegant wrting-table, an
other female, apparently about four-andtwenty,
who was so intently occupied with the business
of writing that she scarcely ever raised her eyes
from the paper, while the rapid motion of her
pen proved that her mind was no less actively
employed than her hand. At length the elder
one spoke: "Mara, dear" said she, in gently
demonstrating tone, 81 do wish you would give
over writing. You have scarcely ever moved
from that table since six o'clock this morning,
and now it is nearly six o'clock again. Indeed,
you will bring on some severe illness by your
intense application"
"Oh mol mamma, there is no fear!" replied
the daughter, with a cheerful smile though her
eyes as she raised them from the paper looked
red and strained; 81 am much stronger than you
give me credit for being, and shall be quite fresh
again after good nights rest"
"That may be true enough, my child" again
urged the mother, shut remember, Maria, the
most robust constitution may be worn out with
too severe and too long continued labor; and Of
all labor that of the mind is the most exhausting.
And only think, my daughter, what would become
of us if you were to lose your health"
"But you see no signs of that, my dearest mo-
ther! On the contrary, you have often said you
were astonished to see how full of spirits was in
the evenings, even after whole day of hard wri-
ting. go TO bed tired it is true, but rise again
in the morning as fresh as ever. And oh! how
sweety sleep through the night, when | lie
down with the consciousness of having labored
hard to fulfil my duties"
"But, Maria, you appear to me now even to go
beyond the fulfIment Of the duties you have ta-
ken upon yourself to perform, andto be engaged
actually in a work of supererogatiGn. ltis now
six years since your dear father died." and as the
widow referred to this event, her voice trembled
and her ewes filled with tears; sand when you
found he was in state Of insolvency, you de-
clared your determination, though then only eigh-
teen years Of age, to support me by your own
exertons, and as far as possible, to iquidate his
debts; an obligation which very few, so young as
YOU then were, would have thought Of taking
upon themselves"
"And how should have deserved the large
sums which my beloved father bestowed upon my
educaton," interrupted the daughter, "had not
been willing both to assist you, and, to the ut
most of my power, fulfil his engagements"
"As far as the payment of his debt to Mr.. Mein
went, was satisfied to see you labor; for it was
bitter trial to us both. to hear the reflections that
he cast upon the uprghness and integrity OF your
fathers character. But that debt, as well as the
interest on it, is now all faithfully discharged; and
the other creditors have declared their determi-
nation never to take cent of the money obtain
ed by your labor, so that there is no necessity
whatever for your persevering in such intense
application, since your writings have now be-
come so popular as to enable you, with Il very
moderate degree of industry, to supply our most
extravagant DESIRES"
"Weil, my dear mother," said Maria, with a
sweet affectionate smile, "only allow me one
more week of hard labor, 10 accomplish an object
on which my heart is exceedingly bent, and then
you shall see me most delightfully."- idle."
Sand what is the object that you wish to ac'
complish?"
"Wait till have secured the means of accom-
pshing it, and you shall know all, dear mammal
but till then be good. and do not grumble any
more," replied the daughter playfully. The mo-
thcr heaved sigh, but remained silent, and the
daughters hand soon ian on with its usual rapid
ity. For week she remained, day after day, a
her desk, scarcely allowing herself time to ex
change an occasional word or two with her mo-
ther. who watched her labors with an anxious Gu
riosity. At length the work was finished, and Q
large bundle of MS. despatched, and in a shor
time highly satisfactory answer from the pub
Usher having arrived, Maria flew to her mother
and throwing herself on her knees before her, anC
taking herthin attenuated hands and pressing then
tenderlv between herown, she claimed-"NOw
my beloved mother, my labor is finished, and i
depends upon you only to bestow the reward"
"What reward can bestow, my dear chid?'
inquired the parent. "You know if it were il
my power to reward you it would only make mt
100 happy to do So"
"Oh, yes! you can reward me fully, amply!'
replied Maria with animation. "You know hov
much benefit you always derived from the Sara
foga waters; Dut'houSu hdNeSo anAlousIy WISH
ed YOU TO have recourse to them again, neve
made any attempt to persuade you to it till VI
were out of Mr.. MEMS debt, for was very sur
that the remarks you would be subject to from
him and his family would prevent your dervin;
any benefit from them. But now we are indie
pendent of them all; and here is money" (and
as Maria spoke, she took bank note from he
bosom and put it into her mothers hand, } 'to de
fray the expense. of long visit to Saratoga
which will, hope, restore the health that sick
ness and sorrow have so sadly impaired
"Oh, Maria" exclaimed Mrs. Darnley, 1--WE ha
before forgotten to introduce her by her name.