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

brother" putin Lucy, who hadalso imbibcdmy
aunts opinions on that subject.
"What Il pretty ioot!" exclaimed, as the lady
in question was handed out of the carriage.
"Ladics that have small feet, believe, are
generally old maids" said Medora. laughing.
81 never heard of that before" answered
angrily, for had very small one; "but if it is
true, you certainly will never he so unfortunate
as to be one"
We were here interrupted in our attempted
cuts by message from my aunt, that we must
come down. immediately went to the mirror
for my looks was my first thought in every
emergency; and after smoothing over my long
curls, of which was very proud, with Mrdora
Idcsccnded to the parlor, and was clasped in
the arms ofmy father
"hly beloved child" said he, putting back my
curls, and kissing Inc ;gain and again.
| looked up into his face with proud surprise,
for he was exceedingly handsome, though at
least forty. now turned to Miss Barkley,
who was about to embrace me, but drew back
and mercly bowed fashionably; but Medora was
less thoughtful, and pretended to be very glad
to see her. My father did not happen to notice
my rudeness, and my practiccd eye quickly saw
that he was astonished and delig ghted ut my
grace and beauty, and was angry and morti-
fled when perceived no glance Of admiration
from Miss B.
My father remained with us two weeks. l
was with him almost constantly, and when the
time came for him to 60 away, begged him to
let Inc 60 with him. but he said that could not
leave my aunt's until finished my education,
which he hoped would be in a few years, then
he would come and take me to my native home;
he little thought that ere this Iwould be an Or
phan. | WIS very much disappointed in my
soverness. had expected to have found her a
sour, ill-natured person, with a great dislike
for people of the masculine gender, but she was
very sweete tempered, and | never heard her
say Il word against the unfair sex, and though
| could not Immediately get over my repugnance
to her old maidship, gradually, .tiCut know
ing it, began to love her, greatly against the
wishes OF my ahnt | had expected to have
had great deal of amusement ut hor expense;
but was disappointed in that also, for even if
| had had the inclination, never got chance.
Medora, who was the f;lc similc of her mother
pretended to despisc her, though noticed that
she was great deal better in every way, when
ii. the company of Miss Alice.
But lmust hasten to the end of my story
About three years after the departure of my IA
ther; my uncle received il letter from his con-
filcntial agent, announcing the disastrous in
tclligcncc otmy fathers deatlk was ofa.vcry
passionate Disposition, and when heardit, |
was so much shocked and agitatcd, that was
thrown into I fever, and for weeks lowering be-
tween life and death. The morning after had
heard OF his death, woke for a few moments
to a sense of my situation; no one was in the
room but Miss Alice; she WAS kncelng; and
with her Bible before her appeared to be alb
sorbcd i'll its holy contents; she was rs pale rs
death, and if it had not been for the !ervcnt ex-
preston that illumincd her couucaancc, she
might have been taken for corpse
| thought l heard her murmu L" Father, for
give me-" Isighcd, for thought that if a be.
ing, who so uniformly followed the example of
her glorious Master, needed forgiveness, that
should never obtainii. When she arose, she
came to ne. closed my eyes, for | did not
wish her to know that ! had been witness to
her sacred dcvotions-sic pressed her l9s to
my burning brow; they were us cold us ice;
iwouatariIy started. "What is the natter
deareS!!" she inquired; you must keep per-
tcciiy still Throughout my long illness, whcli-
ever | awoHt 10 consciousness, | saw Miss
A!aec, Ike an angel Of light, lowering over me,
anticipating my every want. Ny aunt and
McdUra seldom came to see me; Il sick, room
was lily suited to them. One lovely morning,
upon awaking, felt as though had just bro
ken from long, long sleep; every thing ap-
praTcd new to me; t!r sun was pouring d flood
OF radiant light throug gh the window; | cnccav.
o:rd to rise TO look out, but WAS as weak as
IN infant A feeling OF languid happiness came
o,cr me, rs | lay silently enjoying the cheering
rays OF the sun, which had never appeared more
beautiful. No one was in the room; but in
few nome IS the door opened, and Miss Alice
catered. | gael at her i'll utter astonishmcnt;
instead Of the plump, rosy checks | had almost
cn,itd, they were pale and sunkcn. The Doc
tor WAS with her, and heard him say to her,
" lou are unnecessarily conlining yourself;
think Vii : Nate is entirely out Of dangrr"-
Dear, dear Miss Ai:c, and have You sulf rcd
omucl for me-" murnurcd, inaudihly. When
we were alone, called her t. me, and, throw.
ing my arms around her, wept long and freely;
for | felt that she was now the only one on earth
| loved. Under her fostering care, | RAPIDLY re.
covered, and, rs we had moved to nv uncles
country seat, our physician enioined it on us to
take Il great deal Of exercise. Every evening
we took long walks. We continued the. prac
ticc long after We ceased to be invaIils Those