Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1850-10-17

companion while their oaughte
goes forth to scenes OF gayety TO en-
: joy the attentions OF any gentleman
Here in my own home will be sough
: or nowherel'
Within that same pleasant appartmen
a family group was gathered that eve
ming. needing no artists skill to rende
it lovely to discerning eye. In larg
rocking-chair by the fire, in a nchl,
embroidered wrapper and slippers, sa
an elderly gentleman a little past III
prime of life. The long silken locks o
his white hair, put back from his brow
revealed broad, intellectual forehead
that, with fine, dark eyes. undimmet
even by the cares and sorrows of many
years, and the benevolent expression
that fingered round his mouth, made hi,
face striking and attractive. Near hin
sat lady, on whose mild and faded, ye
still lovely face, his gaze often rested
She was knitting with the ease and rapid
ity so habitual to elderly females, while
her eve wandered from one loved face
to another, often resting attentively on
the bright and beautiful countenance OF
young girl, who read aloud from a
volume that lay on the table beside her.
Her sweet. clear voice was the only
sound to be heard in the silent apart
ment, save now and then the heavy
breathing OF "a pet dog that slept at the
foot of his master. She sometimes
paused TO ask questions that elected in
formation from her father, or to make a
pertinent or arch remark, that called
forth smile of gratiied pride and ap-
proval from her listeners. Their only
son was absent, nor did he return at his
usual hour that evening: As it grew
late, Fanny prevailed upon her parents
TO retire, and remained alone to wait for
him, She drew the table nearer TO the
fire, and opening a small volume, was
soon absorbed in its sacred contents,
cleaning from its holy pages the hope of
that better and more enduring inheri-
tance, Of which her own sweet home was
a faintyet beautiful type.
When her brother entered he
seemed surprised and grieved to find
her there. One glance at his trou-
bled face was sufficient to awaken
the anxious fears OF his sister. Her
affectiOnate inquiries he appeared at
first unwilling to answer, but long
ing for the gentle and cheering sym
pathy of one in whose judgement
and discretion he had confidence, he
yielded at length, and unfolded the
anxious cares that had oppressed him
during the day. He bad recently
entered into business for himself, and
in the harassed state Of commercial
affairs, found many difficulties TO per-
plex him. Sweetly did Fanny cheer
The dropping spirits Of her depressed
companion, and it was with a heart
ightened Of half its burden by the |
lender sympathy of woman, that he
'ade her affectionately goodnight"
When Julia Lawton laid her head |
lpon her pillow that night, it was
with painful and conflicting emotions
BUSY at her heart. Her cousins
words had been wildly recalled to
Ter mind when, attired for the party,
The entered the parlour in which her
parents sat, TO leave message for
Ter eldest brother, Edward.
"What-going out again, Julial"
aid her father in reploachful tone,
IS he lay stretched upon the sofa,
where he had thrown himself, CON-
claiming of indisposition. Her moth
#, too, looked depressed; and her sad
ooks and her fathers words haunted
Ter all the evening. She had been
n object Of much attention TO an
dmiring and envying throng, but
ad experienced no real enjoyment.
nd was much disappointed and
hagrined by the manner ol Charles
He had inquired for Fan
y, and hearing that she was not ex-
ected 10 be present, after few min {
ties conversation with Julia, had
eft her TO be entertained by others,
nd had spent the remainder Of the s
vening in an animated discussion
With a plain matronly lady, evident l
' many years his senior. II
Julia's brother, TOO, had complain {
d Of the long walk which he had ia
en- to be her escort, declaring that '
e was heartily tired of going out to
party, after being detained as he
item was until late hour al the Of !
ce. Julia had never tried to be in
sresting in his pursuits, or yielded
er wishes to his even when they in I
srfered with his comfort, or sought
! any way to make herself a COM
anion to her brother, and, OF course, &
here was no congeniality Of thought ]
r feeling between them. He looked {
pom her as a weak, capricious wo- T
ian, whom, as being his sister, he a
7as obliged TO escort TO parties and q
laces OF fashionable amusement, but (
hose presence. in the desirable 9
vent Of her marriage, would NOT be
lissed from the family circle, whose {
bsence would take no brightness '