The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-03-15

|
that could not, but it wasa long time before |
understood that could not 60 to my mother
without putting ofths mortal flesh. She told
me great many other things, which | do not
now recoect, but the time passed very pleas
antly to me, till my father one day came into
our little room, and told Aunt Jane to follow
him; she took me in her arms, and we were
soon out OF the boat on the bank; had never
seen river before, and was perfectly bcwil
dered.
els this tie river Jordan!" inquired of
nurse, (she had been telling me that | would
be obliged to cross that river ere | got to Hea
ven.)
ooh no, Miss Kate" she replic', much trou-
bled at my want of comprehension; she then
entered into prolonged description OF the mer-
its ofthat river, which have forgotten. We
soon arrived at the door of very large house,
and were ushercd into Il splendidly furnished
parlour, where there was a lady, and 4 child
abont my own age my father told me that the
lady was my aunt, and the child my cousin,
Medora. My aunt drew me to her and kissed
me, butI noticed that she did not kiss me rs
loudly as mama always did My father did not
remain long, but promised 70 come again as
soon as he could. My auni lifted me to her
side, and told Medora and me that we must love
one another. At night Mcdora's maid Lucy
went with us to our room, and after had been
undrcssed, and had said my prayers, as usual,
to Aunt Jane, she, after running her fingers
through my hair, exclaimed.
"What pretty, dark, curling hair she has!
Don't you wish yours was as pretty, Miss Nc
dora :"
Medora did not look we'll pleased, and so l
glanced at the opposite mirror. | thought that
it was indeed very pretty. had never known,
or thought of the color of my hair before; this
was the spark of vanity that had ever entered
my soul, and it found welcome resting place,
as it will in every heart that has not been puri-
fed by religion.
The next morning was awakened by Lucy,
| had no idea Of being taken up by any one but
Aunt Jane, and inquired for her.
"She is SICK" replied Lucy, "and caunot
come but will dress you, my sweet lady"
permitted her to take me up then. After
Medora and were dressed, we went down
Stairs, where saw my uncle for the first time;
but was too anxious to see Aunt Jane to no.
tice anything, and after breakfast begged to
be carried to her. When she saw me slc ap-
pearcd to be perfectly delighted, and begged
me to stay with her all the time. | did not need
much persuasion to do so, and I'LL the entreates
of Medora failed to make ne quit her. Every
day after that she became worse, and ut last
she told me that she was going to die, ami
hoped she would 60 to heaven; that must be
4 good child when she was gone, and not to
love fine things too much told her that
would do any thing to go to her and my mother.
For weeks after my good old nurses death,
| thought of nothing but her, heaven, and the
river of Jordan. But my aunt, who was vain,
worldly woman, laughed at Inc until gradual
ly began to forget all the good advice given me
at my dying nurses bedside, for | w;ls very
easily influenced. My aunt had great deal of
company, who praised and ilattercd me, often
saying that Mcdora and | were the prettiest
children they had ever seen. thus became SO
much accustomed to haitery, that could not
endure any one who did not tell me that was
pretty, graceful, a great genius or something Of
the sort. | imagined no one could like me
without telling me their opinion of the subject
of my appearance, which 1 thought of course
would always be fltttcring.
itiIu NcIc itDOuL lWcNc
ofagc, we were us vain, and as fond of dress,
us any lady in the town; and my uncle said
lauyhinglv, one day, that our heels and toes had
been taught long enough, and that it was time
we should either go to Il boarding school, or
have 4 govcrness My aunt was very anxious
for us to go to Il fashionable boarding school,
but my uncle Insisted on having govcrncss.
"lou know" said he to my aunt, " that we
have a distant relation, Il Miss Alice Barkley,
whommy sister Kate (Ie alluded to my mother)
used to be very fond Of"
ooh" said my aunt, "shc is an old maid-rny
drtcstation.'
Among the many useless things that my aunt
had insti!!ed into my ductilc mind, was IL great
horror for old maids. was taught that no sill
uation in life could be more dcplorablc.
"fatlcr, ,lo send us to the boarding school"
said Nlcdora, imploringly.
But lie was incxorablc this time, and despite
the entrcatics of aunt and the tears Of Mcdorl
and myself, wrote Il letter to Miss Barklcy, OF.
fcring her the situation as governcss.
81 hope she will die before she gets ii, !" said
Mrdorl.
ooh, no, we will laugh at and make fun of
her till She wishes she had never come, Ian
swcrcd; not being cruel cnough to wish her
death on the occasion.
a month passed, andaswc had heard nothing
from Miss b., We began to indulge hope that