The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-12-30

NeAtu just nON, dt having some DlllS OF mine
| forwarded to him so that | am really afraid
to risk this new demand upon his purse. Yet
! there liz no other resource"
Yes there is said Grace, can teach
music, or give drawing lessons, and We can be
very economical"
Indeed as if would have my wife music
teacher! You must not think of such a thing.
No, we must wait will write to the Governor
i'll day or two. He will be angry enough, at
first but he'll cool of after while and come
down with something handsome, I've no doubt
80 cheer up, darling | cannot bear to see you
look so sorrowful'
/" | do not like to be dependent upon your
father objected Grace is there no other
way! We could be very prudent -
Yes, if We had anything to he prudent upon.
IL could not take care Of myself cannot of
you and, as to being dependent on him, he is
our father, and we are his children, and we
should have it all, some day, at any rate II is
only generous TO give him chance to see us
enjoy IT,"
Grace smiled and said no more. A plan had
suddenly entered her mind by which she hoped
20 render herself al least, quite independent Of
unwilling aid.
How surprised those fellows will be when
introduce them to my w,fe," said Seymour !;
you must look your best, Grace, and do credit
To my choice
And she did 50 far as brilliancy and beauty
were concerned. She loved Seymour with all
the strength of first affection with him, she
forgot her fathers anger, almost her mothers
sorrow; when he spoke, the still small voice"
of Conscience was UNDECIDED. She would not
look forward into the future, nor back into the
past-the present with its wealth of Joy and
love, sufhced her.
Seymour WAS very well content the friends
whom he had presented to his vito were in
raptures with her he ives congratulated rs n
very lucky fellow, and informed that he did
quite right to secure such a prize, in any way
that offered. 1t WAS astonishing how much
Grace's charms increased in his eyes when he
found that every one else admired her Then,
she was entirely devoted to him and the same
thing that in an unattractive woman would
have been pronounced bore, fattered his
vanity and raised his self-esteem when il came
from her. He began to think himself as fortu-
nate as people called him, and was in excellent
humor with the whole world--except perhaps,
his tradesmen, whom he found it hard to satisfy
with promises instead of pay.
For some weeks after Graces arrival, they
boarded in the - Hotel the most expensive
house in the city. Seymour had enough by
him to carry them through a month or two,
and by that time he hoped for supplies from
his father He was of n very hopeful turn of
mind and no sooner found courage to state to
that respected parent the difficulties in which
he was involved, than those difficulties seemed
to vanish, A pleasing conviction grew upon
him, that the old gentleman would, after Il
little unimportant wrath, agree to make the
best of things, and send on his benediction, and
a check filed out in goodly numbers. Then
they would go to housekeeping-Grace's father
would relent, and she would enter society Oh,
yes, it was all very nicely and pleasantly ar
ranged.
Bat the "old gentleman" did not relent so
speedily and Seymour's financial affairs ap-
preached "a crisis In mood of heroic self
sacrifice he parted with his fine horse, his costly
dressing case and various expensive articles of
| bijOuterie his diamond shirt buttons were re-
placed by plain gold studs, and his splendid
chronameter by one of simple make and cheap
material This done, he was quite in funds
and felt himself equal to any emergency. In
vain did Grace represent the propriety of NOV
| ing to a less expensive abode Seymour assured
her that his fathers letter would arrive before
the money was half gone; and even if it did
not, he could manage. The recent unusual
effort at self.denial inspired him with great
confidence in his own resources.
| Grace wrote to her mother, stating that she
was well, aud quite happy, and longed to hear
| from home II there had boon none but Caro-
line to read the letter, or know its contents she
would have said what she iet-that she re.
GREETED her dsobedence and wished much for
a reconciliation. She feared, however, that her
father would think she meant to ask for has
forgiveness, and that she had determined never
to do. Still, she looked earnestly for her moth
er's reply hoping that it would contain some
kind word, some message that would DO a har-
binger Of peace and forgiveness.
When her husband entered their room, one
morning, with II letter in his hand, she started
up joyfully but, alas it was only the expected
epistle from her father in-law.
~ have not opened it yet, said Seymour
81 thought we would have the pleasure of
reading it together"
"Are you sure that it contains good nowsW
asked Grace.
Why yes-l hope So at least We shall
soon see how it s, at any rate"
He ran his eye rapidly over the sheet.
al Dear son - much surprised and displeas-
ed but reflection has convinced me - Miss
Lindley is a charming girl let that 20, we
can read it afterwards; here il the important
point Il shall now make you yearly allow
ance, sufficient TO enable you to keep house, or
board, in a plain, respectable manner the
devil : If you have the elements Of success in
| your character, you can soon make your in
come what you wish it. Many young man
who has started in life without penny, and
without half your talents has made a fortune
merely by patient industry and attention to
business it will be strange, therefore, if you
cannot make one, with the very material aid
which this allowance will give you You must
expect no further assistance from me il you
do as you can and ought, you will not need it
and as for encouraging you in INDECENT extrav-
agant habits, have done that long enough
What prosiDg-wheD will he come to the
point All, here it is the sum | have fixed
upon as suitable is hundred year -
"1he old mser!" cried Seymour, throwing
down the letter in disgust; does he think we
can subsst upon that beggarly pittancc,
hundred year, Yes, it wiH keep ID very
plainly and respectfully upon cheese par
ings 'Extravagant habits. he has guarded
against them pretty eifectualy this time It's
shameiul-periectly outrageous"
II do not think no, at all, demonstrated
Grace "your father has done more than we
had any right to expect. And, look, you were
in such haste that you did not read tho closing
paragraph he says he will pay all your debts
up TO the present date"
Does he, indeed They are good deal
larger than no thinks for, that is one comfort
! should like 10 see him when the bills come
in. Good Lord what rueful face he'll wear!
"You do very wrong to speak Of your father
in that way said Grace, seriously, "and it
surprises NE to hear you"
You do very wrong 10 take your husband
up 10 that way returned Seymour, mimicking
her tone "and it surprises me to hear you.