Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-09-12

noon; can | 60 home p
"Oh, certainly! We cannot expect you to
think Of trade now" said the milliner, cast
ing a glance Of sly ridicule at Miss Warner
"Mr. Gilbert will, Of course, see you home"
The blood burned in Lidas cheek, but she
answered in quiet dignity, that she wished to
see her mother alone.
Then she is not out washing to-day" in,
qured the milliner, with another covert look at
Gilbert and his companion. -,
Lida could not understand the low malice OF
the question, so she answered quietly that her
mother was at home, and left the part, when
they went towards the work room.
The next morning the washer woman was
at our house very eary-she wished to consult
with those who had been kind friends to her,
regarding the strange proposal her daughter
had received, Mr.. Gilbert had been at her
house the night before, she said, and every
thing was settled tor wedding on the next
evening but one Of course no opinion could
be given after affairs had gone SO far; so con.
senting that "the children" might come to see
Lida on her wedding day, our mother allowed
the kind mother to depart without expressing
any of the misgivings that beset her own mind.
MIR. Gilbert drove by our house that after.
noon, and took the New Haven road. The Sc.
cond day from that. we were permitted to visit
the washerwoman's house behind Castle Rock
1t was bright day, and the little house look.
ed neat and cheerful as we approached it, thro'
foot path across the meadow, golden with
bitter cups and notified with lilies Ida was
gathering flowers from a little ward which
surrounded the door in her dwelling, and, in
few minutes we were as busy as herself gather.
ing daisies from the meadow. and the wild no
ney suckle from the rocks, which we brought
down in arm fulls and heaped upon the door.
step ready for use.
Before sunset, the widows house might have
been taken for sylvan lodge, it was so fra.
grant with blossoms. The whole dwelling
contained but three apartmants-.a kitchen and
two small sleeping rooms; but these were as
neat as harnan hands could make them The
pine floors and splint chairs were secured as
white rs it was possible for wood to become
the little old fashioned looking glasses were
crowned with asparagus branches, where the
red berries hung thick and bright as coral drops
along the delicate green spray; the scant win.
dow curtains of coarse, but snow-white muslin,
were festooned with wild blossoms and ground
pine woven together while that in the "spare
bed room was looped up to single wreath Of
wild roses and sweet briar, which filed the
window with delicious fragrance On the
little table in this apartment, stood japan
waiter with decanter Of wine in the middle,
surrounded By slender wine glasses; and fine
napkin drawn over loaf of cake close BY. A
dress of purest muslin lay upon counterpane
Of old fashioned dimity, that covered the bed
like a sheet of snow.
We stood by while the old woman arrayed
her child for the bridal, and wondered why her
hand should tremble so, and why the tears
should fill Lida's eye, so constantly, when she
observed her mothers agitation.
1t WAS scarcely dark when we saw party
"f two ladies and as many gentlemen coming
toward the house. The washerwoman closed
the bed room door, and went to receive the
guests, leaving us with the bride. How beau
tful and pure she looked in her simple dress
that had exhausted all the money her mother
had boarded up for the winter, in making the
purchase. The black hair which she usually
wore twisted up in one heavy woof over her
head, was now braided into three rich braids,
and knotted together on one side, Just back of
the ear by one single rose. Another bud with
the blush leaf just bursting asundcr. lay within
the folds of sheer muslin, that covered her bo-
som. When she placed it there, Lida's cheek
grew pale, and her hand began to tremble, for
that moment she heard Gilbert's step in the
next room. 1t was instantly drowned by the
voices of Miss Warner and the milliner, both
in high and cheerful conversation. The sound
only caused our friend to trenble the more. -
But when her mother came into the room, fol-
ded her in kind embrace and led her towards
the young man, who came forward to receive
her, a soft blush broke over her cheek, and her
fingers wove themselves in his confidently, as if
she had nothing to fear, and yet could not help
trembling all the time.
"Be kind to my child" said the washerwo.
man bluntly; ''when / was married to her ia
ther, he was prosperous, happy, and proud as
you are. He died and left me in poverty His
ch,ld has never heard rash word beneath this
humble roo, be gentle to her as have been."
The old woman sat down, and bending her
head, began to smooth the folds of her faded silk
dress aud thus she tried to conceal the tears
that her own words had unlocked.
Gilbert did not answer but his cheeks turn.
ed shade paler. and he bent his eyes almost
sternly on the two females who lad urged him
into his present embarrassing position.
The young student arose. He had been
wisely chosen BY the plotters, for never was
clerical dignity more thorous hly put on. He
looked serious and earnest enough to have de.