Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1851-01-15

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sixteen sent to large boarding school al
a considerable distance from home, where
We were allowed 10 remain two years for
The purpose Of finishing.
Mamma had urged that, as I was so or.
binary IN every respect. little could be ex.
pec'ed from me in the way Of marriage, or
advancing the interests Of the family, and
observed that one year nigh, suffice for
me. while each OF my younger sisters
should have the benefit of two years pub.
lie instruction. Downright injustice Of
this description did not, however. suit my
fathers preconceived idea Of right. and
was allowed equal advantages with the
others.
will not, at present. dwell upon these
school days; suffice it to say. formed no
particular inlimacies l made good use Of
my time. and carried home testimonials Of
progress from the teacher, which were not
bestowed upon either of my sisters, much
10 their chagrin.
As have headed my narrative The
Maiden Sister, will pass over the par,ic-
uIars Of our early youth. nor will dwell
upon the absence Of sympathy and true
affection which continued to Distinguish me
from the other members Of the family.
The time Of which write at present. aas
10 the monIh OF April Selina's last school
term had JUS, expired She was eighteen
years OF age. and turned Of twenty four.
recolec,. on that memorable afternoon,
The mir was cod. and the sky cloudy, rem
derng a lite fire necessary in our small
>i'rng room ; aud can never forge, The
aspect it presented. Our la,her was not
present. as he generally occupied an apart
menl denomnared the study. where he
could attend 10 his affairs and pursue his
books unmolesied. Mamma sat erect be
lore the fire. occupied with her needle |;
hen silent, her countenance was almost
TOO commanding TO inspire affection !; ye,
her smile was gentle and winning. She
dressed becomingly, aud was lady.like in
her department. There was, however, an
air Of slernness and decision that she could
assume at pleasure, which caused her
household 10 fear as we'll as love her. Her
manner towards my sisters was affection
ate !; but. with me, uniformly cold. Ny
sister Constance vas sitting a; low table,
with lir,e baske, before her. lined with
scarlet silk, containing the implements nec-
essary for sewing. She feigned to be oc-
cupied with some petty feminine employ
mrnt; but rs she was cons,rtutionally in.
doIent, in reality accomplishing nothing.
RISE. who prufessed to be dying Of ennui
had seated herself in apparen; desperation.
and WAS turning over the leaves ofa popu.
lar novel. Selma was stretched at full
length upon the sofa. We had entertained
company at dinner. and she was 10 her ul-
ternoon dress. A greater par, Of her ex-
quisiely moulded arm was visible, as i,
supported her head; her eyes were closed,
and the long dark lashes rested upon a
cheek whose glow was like that
"By the sunse. given to mountain snow"
Her coral lIps. slightly parted. revealed
teeth white as ocean pearls; and, as she
lay there, in dream-like beauty, | often
paused from my work 10 gaze upon her
We were thus occupied when the door
opened, and one of the maid servants en-.
tered with a small covered basket in her |
hand
"Here is present from Johns wife for
Miss Rhoda." said she, smiling, as she ad-
vanced towards me.
took it from her. and. on opening it,
found that il contained small cream cheese.
John was the ploughman. my render. and
during long and severe win,er,i had found
the road to the hollow in which bis hovel
stood. when the snow rendered the roads
almost impossible for Others: had cut up
a portion of my own slender wardrobe, and
converted it into clothing for Ksie's twin
babies, when she. poor creature, had but
a scanty supply for one child. had ma
ny times made nourishing broth. and fed
it TO her with 10y own hands; and now.
when returning health had smiled upon
her. as token Of sulI grateful feeling, she
had sent me this little cheese.
"ls she in the kitchen p asked Of the
maid.
mo. Miss, she has gone home"
Take it with you and put j, in the pan,
iry," | replied 81 will thank her ior her
present when l see her again"
As soon as the girl had left the room,
Selma. who had started up, burst into a
laugh.
"rruly. Rh.da,' cried she. "you are
entering into the duties "f yoIr vocation
wear before the allotted time."
did you ever yet know an old maid,