The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-07-25

side, which they painted bright red perhaps to
make the contrast between IL and the white one
they had left as wide ss possible. Their oppo-
nents christened II the Revenge, and had not the
name been given before 1t became known that
they had engaged for teacher an out-and-Out
Episcopsliap, one who kept Christmas, and actu-
ally didn't cook for Thanksgiving nor 20 to meet
ing on that occasion, they might have called It by
more sinister name.
III this unhappy quarrel embittered the TEN.
pers and hearts Of friends and neighbors, its evil
effects fell not less heavily upon their children
Some of them took so completely the tone of
their parents that they would not speak to III cir
former plsymates; and others, who neither knew
] nor nara5 s.,-la about The nnarral "a
49,. :, 40 % ~ t----..s.
arrangement more keenly than little Molly Chin
nin and Mark, the son OF her fathers neigator,
and until this miserable contention most intimate
friend, Ensign Ross An unbroken friendship had
subsisted between their families from the first set
Element Their homes were separated only by a
green meadow and bit Of pasture, and from in
fancy they had shared their plays and lessons TO-
gether. Together they had learned to skate and
swim, together they had conquered vulgar frac-
tons, and received due punishnent ON that same
day, for sessipa the teachers long queue in com,
| memorstion of that event; together they had re-
ceived their commissions ia the militia and, let
body, which at the present day resembles Fall
staff s ragged regiment, was at that time consid-
cred an honor not unmeet for the highest digni-
taries in the land. Together they had wooed,
wed, and settled down on the old homesteads, re-
joiced over the birth Of their children, watched
their growing fondness for each other and, as
Mark grew up tall and straight as young pine,
and Molly like graceful beautiful green willow,
there was nothing said but as they watched
fxo ohnnl f,11 ~ nfxgk
mischief, or seated over the brawling river
! Cd sSs old <ssssAaded nale co~''~ Asir lfesov,
from the same wofully dog's-esred book, OF dis
putting about the exact number Of words on q
se1r'aia psge, the thoughts Of both sometimes re-
verted to a beautiful knoll, midway between their
dwellings, which had often been pointed out AZ a
fine building Site with q kind Of wonder as to
whether it would ever be used for that purpose.
Ensign Ross had no child save Mark and hav-
ing seen the fate of several only children before
his eyes, he early determined that his boy should
not be spoiled by being babiedD Therefore, he
never took his part in any of his childish squab-
bles, and Mark early learned that if he got into
trouble there was no use in complaining at home,
for his mother was woman of too much sense to
pet and pity him in secret.
Though he heartily detested Mr.. Evarts, and
the feeling, to judge from the blows and thumps
bestowed upon him, was duly returned yet his
father knew nothing of the matter; or, if his
wife sometimes mentioned that Mark had been
punished, he usually replied with" AYE, aye,
and he deserved it richly, dare ssyp
OF course, he WAS little inclined to sympathize
with the peculiar indulgence which his old friend
manifested toward his late-born twins
"Considerin' that Molly is an only daughter,
and was for long time an only child,n was his
! frequent remark TO his wife, " allow that they
did pretty well by her But it puts me out of all
manner Of patience to see such man as lthiel
Chinnin led by the nose by two such imps. Why,
it makes no difference who he is talking to- il it
was Thomas Jefferson, and one Of those precious
boys was to break in with string of questions
| as long as the moral law, he would stop and an
swer them all. He not only makes goose of
himself but spoils the boys, and must tell him
| soD
He did tell him, or at least tried to but some
how in this case his hints failed of their usual
effect. The truth was, the Leftenant was dimly
conscious Of the least possible tendency towards
weakness where his boys were concerned; he did
not like to admit IT, even to himself and the fire.
sps hints Of Ais a'isAh"' 'A"'AAd aDao sore
| Ensign Ross was by no means hard or unfeel-
ing. He was naturally genial and jovial but he
had contrived to get certain fired ideas into his
head especially upon the management OF chill
dren, beyond which he never troubled himself to
look. "Spsre the rod and spoil the child was
Scripture with him. and he wanted nothing better
| He was naturally impatient, and could not brook
interruption, especially from children therefore
| he often censured weakness that which was
simply good nature in his slower and more patient
neighbor. When the teacher punished the little
boys 80 severely, without inquiring into their
offence listening to their fathers explanation,
he stoutly defended the former, and read the Lef-
tenant such lecture on his folly and weakness
in all that concerned his boys, that the latter was
deeply grieved and astonished. Indeed upon re-
Election, be felt himself, that he had said macy
things that were unwarranted even by their long
friendship but he did not like to confess it, and
contented himself with reasoning after this man
ner-"lf he is a mind to be mad at hasty but
well-meant word, why, let him.
Chinnin, on his part, thought more delibe-
rately-" IL Jonathan Ross thinks have turned
into natural fool, why, let him seek those that
are WISER
Thus arose frosty atmosphere between them,
chilling alike the ripened fruit of the past, and
the opening hopes Of the future. Had they been
left to themselves, doubtless the memory Of the
past and sense of their present folly would have
brought back the summer to their hearts, but
q rumor of their feelings got abroad as such
things always do In q country village, and the
powers Of scandal and scbism took the matter
up, going from one to the other, watching every
representing, until, after few weeks, they could
no longer discern, in the pictures held up to them
by these meddlers, any trace Of the Old friendly
features. Still there were some grains Of truth
in all these reports; for they were by no means
happy, and their state Of heart and mind was one
which is prone TO think and say bitter things
From the day that Leftenant Chinnin with
drew his children from school, they ceased to
| speak together, for the eptbets "Dotardn and
4 n,ov cd uvhi had hea al IN
each other on that OCCASION seemed to stick in
their threats, and prevent anything like friend
| ly utterance.
All through The remainder Of the winter, the
snow lay white and unbroken on the fields be-
tween the two dwellings, no path, trodden hard
and smooth rs ice, marked the constant inter-
course of the families no small footprints devis-
! ting from the path Mt every few yards, gave evil
dence of the presence and exploring propensities
of Mark and Molly. Although not absolutely
| forbidden to speak with each other, they seldom
| met now--never, indeed-save when Mark con-
trived to come round that way from school, and
| exchange few words with her through the pa
lings or the front fence during which intercourse
he never failed to express a very hearty wish
that Mr.. Eyarts had been in Jericho before he
ever saw our village.
Thus the strife ragged through the winter
| months, until the raw winds and heavy thsws Of
March came, bringing with them scourge which
many in their secret consciences felt TO be judg
ment for their sins--the scarlet fever, or, as II
| was then called the black canker. Something
was necessary to bring them back 10 sense Of
dependence and human brotherhood. Instead Of
q blessing, they had made their cbildren a sub
ject Of contention, and God in his wisdom took
many Of them home TO himself The rebuke was
felt Those who had passed each other with stiff
necks and aver,ed faces, again clasped hands over
the graves Of their little ones and before Gods
altar In silence and tears
For time the disease seemed inevitably fatal
fear and grief sat upon every countsnsncei the