Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-05-08
SELECT tai E.
An Evening at Home.
BY KATE SUTHERLAND.

Yes, beautifully.
What is the matter, then!'
.Indeed ma. cannot tell. You had better
ro nm and see her. 1t is the strangest notion
in the world. Why you couldn't hire me to
stay at home
Mrs. Lindley went up stairs, and entering
her dauob,er's room, found her sitting on the
side of the bed, with beautiful ball dress IN
her hand. .s,
III isn't possible, Helen, that you are not go
ing to this ball,' she said,
Helen looked up with half serious, half
smiling expression on her face.
.Ihaye been trying for the last half hour she
replied, ito decide whether ought to go, or
s,ay at home. think, perhaps, / ought to re-
main at home
.Bnt what earthly reason can you have for
doing so, dont YOU like your dress'
20 yes! very much thiRk 1t beautiful
Doesn't it fit you'
AS well as any dress ever had
Are you not well =
Very WE'LL
Then WHY not 90 to the ball :, 1t will be
,be LARGEST and most fashionable of the season.
You know that your father and myself are both
going. We shall want to see you there, of
course. Your father will require some very
good reason for your absence
Helen looked perplexed at her mothers last
remarks.
do YOU think father will be displeased if l
remain at homel' she asked.
Il think he will, unless you can satisfy him
that yonr reason for doing SO is very good
one. Nor shall feel that you are doing right.
7 wish for all nv children to act under the gov
ernment of a sound judgment. Impulse, or
reasons not to be spoken of freely TO their pa
rents, should in no case influence their ac-
tons
Helen sat thoughtful for more than a minute,
and then said, her eyes growing dim as she
spoke,
Il wish to stay at home for Edwards sake
And why for his my dear!'
He doesn't 60 TO the ball, you know
Because he is too young. and too back
ward. You couldn't hire him to go there
Rut that is no reason why you should remain at
home. You would never partake of any social
amusement were this always to influence you.
LIE, him spend the evening in reading. lie
must not expect his sisters to deny themselves
Ill recreation in which he cannot or will not
participate.
He does not. | know he would not hear to
such thing as my staying at home on his ac-
count
Then why stayt
Because feel that ought to do so. This
ia the way have felt all day whenever have
thought of going If were to 60, know that
would not have mement's enjoyment. He
need no, know why remain at home. To tell
him that did not wish to 60 will satisfy his
mind
II shall not urge the matter, Helen Mrs.
J;,dlev said. after silence of some few mo-
mehts.
You are old enough to Judge in matter of
this kind for yourself. But must say, that
think YOU rather foolish. Yon will not find
Edward disposed to sacrifice so much for
you
.Of that do not think, mother. OF that
ought not 10 think
Perhaps not Well, you may do as you
like. Bu, don't know what your father will
say
Mrs. Lindley then left the room.
Edward Lindley was at the critical age of
eighteen that period when many young men,
especially those who have been blessed with
sisters, would have highly enjoyed ball. But
Edward was shy, tmid and bashful in compa-
nv. and could hardly ever be induced to go out
10 parties with his sisters. Still he was intel
Igent for his years, and companionable. His
many good qualities endeared him to his fam-
lv and drew forth from his sisters towards him
very tender regard,
Among his male friends were several about
his own age, members of families with whom
his own was on friendly terms. With these he
associated frequently, and, with two or three
others, quite intimately. For month or two
Young friends called every now and then for
Edward, in the evening, and that he went out
with them and stayed uu,il bedtime. But un-
less his sisters were from home, he never went
of his own accord. The fact of his being out
with these young men, had, from the FIRST
troubled Helen; though, the reason of her
feeling troubled she could tell. Edward had
good principles, and she could not bring her.
self N entertain fears Of any clearly defined
evil Still sensation of uneasiness was al
wavs nroduced when he was from home in the
evening.
Her knowing that Edward would go out, af-
ter they had left, was the reason why Helen
did not wish to attend the ball. The first
thought of this had produced an unpleasant SEN
sation in her mind, which increased the longer
she debated the question of going away, or re-
manning at home. Finally, she decided that
she would not go. This decision took place
after the interview with her mother, which
was only half an hour from the time Of start
ing.
Edward knew nothing of the intention of his
sister. He was in his room dressing 10 go
ant, and supposed, when he heard the carriage