Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1851-09-25
MISCELLANY.
THE NOVEL READER,
A SKETCH FoR YoUNG LADIES


Reclining on d sofa, in her own tasteful
but rather negligently arranged room, was
Jennie. Goodwin, reading, or rather derouf.
ang, the last new novel At times her face
would flush with excitement, and her eve
kindle with pleasure ; then, as suddenly
would the quick tear start and roll down her
fair cheek AT last she 3exclaims 40, cruel,
cruel thus 70 wreck the happiness Of those
who loved so truly :
Hey day,Acousin Jennie, what has occur
red to rouse your sensibilities, so early in
the morning." exclaimed Esther Edwards,
who, bonReted and shawled, as from walk.
had entered the reem unperceiVed, and stood
with . mingled look Of surprise and caiety.
before her. E}s.Ypu certainly have net been
out Of this room, for here you are, with your
hair in papers, and slipsAod Has uncle
failed, and are you a beggara or, or, oh
dear what can the matter be!'n
Not that, | assure you, though / some
times wish father would fail, that might
enjoy the felicity Of love in cottage, and
be myself an actor, il some such scene as
baye just been reading. But it Is of no use
to talk Of sentiment to you, whose heart il
like an berg / verify believe yeu would
prefer your morning walk TO the best re-
nance which could Be- placed before youp
"Dear Jennie, if the siekly sensibility, en-
gendsred BY reading novels is true feeling,
plead guilty 10 GOODNESS Of heart Il is
true that | much prefer a morning walk,
with the volume Of Nature open all around
me, speaking truth te every sense, than any
romance ever read but ! am net Judge
in such matters But to business called
this morningto invite yeu to spend the day
with me, and assist me in making dress
for poor little girl, whom I wish to take
to Sabbath school with me tomorrow
4feand her daring my walk this morning,
with her little bare feet, and ragged gown,
playing by the side of the road; and she
looked up, with such an Intelligent smile on
her face, and said .goed morning so pleasant
", that could net resist the temptation to
ask her few questions and when found
that she had never heard of Sabbath school.
I just stepped int her mether's cabin, and
gained permission for her to 60 Il that is, if
could makeher decent, for the poor woman
said she hadNnot farthiBg to fit her out
herself Luckily for me, I had not spent
all my last quarters pocket-meney So I
called at Bakers ana purchased new pair
Of shoes, mother has given me cast off bon
net of Emma's, and if / can only get the
dress done, ! shall haveher all ready, and
looking quite nice too
REALLY, cousin, I should like to help You !;
but am SO nervous this morning, that do
not feel like sewing; and this Afternoon /
must 60 to Entler's and hurry them up, or
IfeaF my bonnet will not be ready for to-
morrow and to Bailey's and secure shawl
like those Of the Misses Warren, for will
net be eelipsed BY them, / know. Perhaps
you can get Ella Marvin to assist you; she
does not hsys to Keep school Saturday after
Moons, and she il % clever 1t such things,
too
Thus thepousins parted Jennie to re-
sumo her novel until just time to dress for
dinner and Esther to the scheel-room to
see Ella, whose assistance she knew she
would freely receive, but whose already
heavy burdea Of labor she felt unwilling to
increase The assistance was cheerfully pre-
missed and Esther HE'D home, to cut out
and arfa~ge the work, SO that all might be
accomplished without Infringing upon the
regulations Of her mothers well ordered
home AZ The appointed hour, Ella came !,
and the two young ladies sat down with
merry hearts q accomplish their work Of
love In many hlithe song did their rich.
voices mingle, as they Piled the needle with
untiring assiduity Ner we're they permit
ed e enjoy all this happiness alons
Jasper EIdrea, young gentleman from
the South, . cousin of Esther's BY the faith
er's side, and Whe hAd been spending few