The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-09-04

roOmy neatly painted Ktcheh1 I've JeiAO" ''
glossy and smooth, and without particle OF DUST
a neat well-blacked cooking stove; rows OF shin
inc tin. suggestive of unmentionable good things
to the appetite glossy, green, wood chsirs, old
and firm small Aag-bottOmed rocking chair,
with a patch work cushion in II, neatly contrived
out Of small pieces of different colored wOollen
goods. aud larger sized one, mOtherly and old,
whose wide arms breathed hospitable invitation,
seconded by the solicitation Of It's feathered cush
ious-a real comfortable persuasive, old chair,
and worth, in the way Of honest homely enjoy
nent, dozen Of your plush or brOchetelle draw
ipgroom gentrY-and in the chair, gently sway
ing back and forward, her eyes bent on some fine
sewlngy4-.-~"- Old, fsiSs1 n 81. Vss t4ersshe.
is-paler and thinner than in her Kentucky
hOme-with a world o. quiet sorrow lying under
the shadow Of her long eyelahes, and marking the
outline of her gentle mouth Ii was plain to see
how old and firm the girlish heart was grown
under the discipline of heavy sorrow and when,
anon, her large dark eye was raised to follow the
Qambols Of her little Hsrry-who was sporting,
like some tropical butterfly, hither and thither
over the floor, she showed depth Of frmness and
steady resolve that was never therein her earlier
and happier days.
By her side sat woman with bright tin pan in
her lap, into which she was carefully sorting some
dried peaches She might be ifty-fve or sixty;
but here was one of those faces that time seems to
touch only to brighten and adorn. The snowy
lisse Grape cap, made after the strait quaker pat
teru-the plain, white muslin handkerchief, lying
in placid folds across her bosom-the drab shawl
and dress show at once the community to which
she belonged. Her face was round and rosy, with
a beathful dOwny softness, suggestive Of ripe
peach. Her hair, partially silvered by age, was
parted smoothly back from high placid forehead,
on which time had written no inscription, except
peace on earth, good will to men-and beneath
shone large pair Of clear, honest, loving BROWN
eyes you only needed to look straight into them to
feel that you saw to the bottom Of heart as good
and true as ever throbbed in womsn's bosom. So
much has been said and sung Of beautiful young
girls why don't somebody wake up TO the beauty
OF old womsn9 Ii any want 10 get up an In
spiration under this head, we refer them to our
good friend Rachel Halliday just as she sits
there in her little rocking chair Ii had aturn for
quacking and squeaking-thst chair had-either
from having taken cold in early life, or from some
ssthmstic affection, or perhaps from nervous de-
rsngement-but, as she gently swung backward
and forward, the chair kept up kind Of subdued
creechy crouchy," that would have been intolera-
Ia L. okatr Int Hal
often declared 1t was as good as sny music to him.
and the children all avowed that they wouldn't
miss Of hearing mothers chair for anything in the
world. For why for twenty years or more
nothing but loving words, and gentle moralitieS
and mOtherly loving kindness had come from that
chsir-hesd aches and heart-aches innumersble
had been cured there-difficulties spiritual and
temporal solved there--all by one good loving
woman, God bless her
"And so thee still thinks Of going to Canada,
Eliza 2" she said, as she was quietly looking over
her peaches
yes maam, said Eliza, firmly must 60 on
ward. | dare not stop
"And whatll thee do, when thee gets there
Thee must think about that, my daughter"
My daughter came naturally from the lips
Of Rachel Halliday for hers was just the face
and form that made mother" seem the most
natural word in the world.
Eliza's hands trembled and some tears fell on
her hne work, but she answered firmly
shall dO-anything can find. | hope can
find something"
Thee knows thee can stay here, as long as thee
plesses, said Rachel
Oh, thank you, said Eliza, but-she pointed
to Harry can't sleep nights can't rest. Last
night dreamed ! saw that man coming into the
yard she said, shuddering.
Poor child, said Rachel, wiping her eyes.
" but thee mustn't feel So The Lord hath order.
ed il so, that never hath fugitive been stolen
from our village. | trust thine will not be the
6rstn
The door here opened, and little short, round
plncushiony woman stood at the door, with cher.
~ blooming face, like ripe apple. She was
dressed like Rachel, in sober grey, with the mus
In folded neatly across her round plump little
chest.
Ruth Stedman, said Rachel, coming joyfully
Forward how is thee, Ruth" she said, heartily
taking both her hands
" Nicely said Rutb, taking off her little drab
oonnet, and busting it with her handkerchief
displaying, as she did so, round little head, on
winch the quaker cap sat with sort Of jsunty
ayr despite all the stroking and patting Of the
small Fat hands, which were busily applied to ar
ranging it, Certain stray locks Of decidedly cur
" hair too, bad escaped here and there, and had
70 be eosIed and osjOled into their place again !;
ana then the new conner, who might have been
u'e and twenty, turned from the small looking
sAss, before which she had been making these
Engagements, and looked well pleased-as most
people who looked at her might have been--for
sne was decidedly q whOlesOm, whole-hearted,
cairrupiug little woman as ever gladdened mans
heart withal
kuth, this friend Is Eliza Harris and this Is
'0e little boy told thee off,
I'm glad TO see thee Eliza very said Ruth,
shaking hands, as II Eliza we're an old friend she
s'u been long expecting; asnd this Is thy dear
"Oy-l brought cake for him. she said, holding
,s' mute heart to the boy, who came up, gazing
'"'oueh his ourls, and accepted 1t shyly.
Where's thy baby, Ruth IN
oA' he's coming but thy Mary caught him
as ! came In, and ran of with him 10 IN. harm N
show him to the children
Al this moment, the door opened, and Mary an
honest rosy looking girl, with large brown ewes
"'' A'' mothers, came in with tAs baby