The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-05-16
THE NATIONAL ERA.


BOOK SECOND.
TX
ups GENERAL sTUART-GoRDON AT HOME.
Oh sweety bedecked bower and her halls
Here esds foot sprngng buds and there Oh vset
falls.
The massey curtains graceful how the the Iainns
warm,
Those household echoes mirrors bright revealing tbs fair
form;
Exocs that perfume the air with odors sweet and strange
And shells that in foreign cmes mid ocean wonders
range,
With countless gifts and art in classic beauty rife
Are laid upon her shrine and grace her daily life
G. Gilman.
It was autumn before the Stuart Gordons re-
turned to the Isle of Rays. 1t was impossible to
tell which were the prouder-General Stuart
Gordon of his brilliant young bride or Brtanns Of
her grand old husband. She gloried in him !;
there is no error upon this subject-it is the
eash. Ana i1e deiightvf "a 'r,s.s ID ghssEsEE-
and gladdening in her presence-that is another
truth. And the Isle of Rays itself flashed, spark
led, and scintillated more splendidly than ever
when illuminated by the presence Of Britannia
As for Louise, you know she was ninny, and as
for Louis, he was a pale face; the Island Palace
was quite thrown away upon them. They might
wander among the groves and arbors, with music
and poetry, and such nonsense, all day, but the
halls and saloons of the Island Palace were alone
fitted for our grand General Stuart-Gordon and
our brilliant Britannia. Mrs. Armstrong might
say as she pleased, but her downy- hearted little
Louise never could have "done" the Island
Palace For my part, | think each pair. was well
bestowed, and sympathize with Brightly and the
General-don't you? Mrs. General Stuart
Gordon came home in state, and astonished the
neighborhood with many innovations. A new
and splendid carriage was set up--fve Arabian
horses purchased-servants put in livery--three
white domestics engaged, namely, Partisan girl
as ladys maid, an English matron as housekeeper,
and French cook.
What was the harm Of it 2 II was not extrav-
agance General Stuart Gordon could well af-
ford twice the expenditure II made everybody
happy, except Mrs. Armstrong it gave people
employment and circulated idle money As for
the darkeys, they were delighted with their new
liveries as ever raw recruits with new uniform, or
baby boys with their first breeches.
The day succeeding the arrival, the two ladies
were seated together in the luxurious boudoir of
Britannia.
ain truth my dear Louise, you could have
done nothing with this establishment without me !
You would never have thought of any improve
ments! You would have received no suggestion
from the gentlemen of the family. Men are
apathetic in domestic matters-never think of re-
fning their own comforts while yet they keenly
relish these comforts when quietly falling in their
daily life | admire keen and delicate senses, rs
an evidence of perfect physical development, but
do not like to see lofty mind always debased
in the service of these senses would not have
the General thinking always of his dinner, his
lounge and his chibaque though it gives me
pleasure to see that he enjoys them, when, in the
slipping off of the hours, they properly succeed
physical or intellectual exertion."
Louise was pale, dispirted, disincined to con-
verse at all, still less to cavl at anything Brit
ANNA might say or do.
"You are 30 pensive, Louise-and you always
are even by the side Of Louis By the way, where
as the young gentleman this morningW
"Gone over to the Crags to see Miss Somer-
Vile He seemed very anxious to meet her, and
so he left me Immediately after breakfast"
al wish he would not go there" said Britain
MIA; then, Immediately repenting her hasty
speech she paused abruptly.
Louise looked at her with slightly querulous
expression upon her pretty features, and asked
Why, Britannia rhy do you wish Louis
would not 60 there7"
"My love, it is time to dress; some one will be
calling here to-day ring for Fleurine."
+" But, Brightly, mhy do you wish Louis would
not call at the Cragsan persisted Louise, glancing
keenly bat furtively at Britannia's face.
Mrs Stuart Gordon turned her eyes full upon
the face of Louise, and, looking at her steadily,
replied, slowly and gravely-
because Susan Somerville Ia grief-stricke
woman and the visit of gay young bridegroom
may be unwelcome, as unsuitable
Louise dropped her eyes beneath the steady
rebuking gaze, and sighed.
aNow, Mrs Louis, will you please to dress for
dinner ~
-aOh, Britannia, will dress; but want to see
my mother so ppehT
aThe carriage is at your command, Mrs
Louisn
ooh, Britannia, | cannot 60 alone, The Gen
eral might not like it-Louis might not -
al hope there is not a negro on this plantation
as great a slave as you are, Mrs. Louis Why
should they dislike III Why should they stoT
you il they did, You pay poor compliment t.
General and Mrs. Stuart Gordon II they dis
liked any act of yours, Louise, believe me, mel
Their would think of imposing a single restrain
upon your actions; and, indeed, should vsry
much dislike to see them make the attempt. Poo
little thing, you have been confined and fetteres
10 long, that you have lost the use of yourself
You ARE FREE Can not electrify You will
the fact into some life Pray use your freedom
little. Ring and order your carriage at you,
own house and go-try it, to see how it viii
feel Heavens, child: are you all torporp
YES. Why don't you swAeeKR, Louise max,
big fuss-sail about the house-order the ser
vants-order the horses-order the master him
self-mAks everybody stand around you, or pitcl
over each other, in their haste to do your bid
ding' OH you'd zee how I'd do Il! Hsw d,
you do, Brightly ~ exclaimed the Gsr-Falcon
who had swoopsd suddenly down into this sof
cushat's nesk.
How do you do, Miss Lionf l Am pleased Il
receive your
Dear 0srtrudsi what surprise We dit
not hear you come up!n
How eoxh you hear me run up on those sof
Woolly carpsts1 Lordi wouldn't live in thi