The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-07-22

Tears sprang to Emily's eyes, too, AZ she
caught his glance calm fell on her heart,
from the hands outspread above her And
when, in low tremulous, scarcely audible tones,
the pastor at last began the prayer Of thanks
giving for such a reunion, she bowed her head
and took the balm of the blessed words To her
inmost soul
When the sermon began, she fixed her eyes
on the speaker He, inspired as he was, by
love, hope, and happiness, was unusually elo-
quent that day Ii was not long before she
forgot that there was another being III the uni
verse save her beloved and the God he was
worshipping. The closing sentence dropped
her again to earth and as she turned her eyes
on his congregation, they kinded from the
loving pride that lighted her hearts altar
Oh! if they had but read that heart Bnt
no; they could only see haughtiness in the
glance, the step, the attitude of the young
creature who they could scarcely yet believe,
was to wear among them the name of one
whose memory Death had hallowed.
Poor Emily she would have sunk into utter
detection as she threw herself on the lounge
of the parsonage that day, if she could have
heard one tenth of the comments and criticisms
which were poured upon her innocent head
Yet there were some exceptions to this unlver-
sal censure.
"Well, what do you think notcln said an
| old lady by the church steps, to Mrs. Stephens,
as she passed down, leaning on her husbands
arm.
. think ~ answered the flower-oving in
valid I'll think she's very rosebud; don't
you"
"What do are want of rosebud" an
swered the other, scornfully.
| being repeated, passed into Village classic ~
| and the f" Georgian rosebud was the most
common soubriquet of the minister's new wife,
even among those who used it with no kindly
meaning but simply to imply her uselessness
| A conclave met in noon session, at Mrs
| Rays and with one family dissenting voice,
that of Miss Polly Little voted the lady of the
parsonage young, pert butterfly thing pretty
enough to look upop, but worse than useless as
pattern and guide: in short complete ca
tastrophe to the church, parish, and minister
| himself!
| The Sabbath passed, and the week brought
it's new trials and duties to Emily Young. As
help" was commodity not always to be Sc
cured at a moments warning, Mrs. Deacon
Johnson had kindly lent her domestic to tho
establishment for few days.
"Now, Emily" said her husband as he
poised his spoon over his empty coaee-cup, at
the breakfast-table, "now you are fairly launch
ing into housekeeping"
Yes but-Pm puzzled about good many
things There isn't any lock on the pantry or
the store-rOom, or
"Well, what of that
"Why, never heard of such thing The
housekeeper keeps the keys always. Mother
did"
ooh understand returned her husband.
"Why, the fact is, Emily, this was favorte
mode of expression with him. g the fact IL, the
custom here is different. 1t would offend our
Northern girls very much, to keep everything
locked up from them. 1t would seem like I'M
pugning their honesty"
Are they so easily offended ~ asked Emf
ly, rather scornfully.
'Yes, dear you will have to be on'your
guard with them, fol' they can do deal of
mischief in parish, il they take "a prejudice
against u lady-especialIy minister's wife,
Thus warned, Emily very timidly ventured
into her kitchen, an hour or two after break
fast feeling very much like a meddler in d
place where she had no business whatever
The presiding genius, neat pretty =" Yanke
girl," was a being so utterly new to her, tina
!, she was sorely puzzled to know Just what rani
to assign her, or ust what form of speech t.
use in addressing her. She thought of the ole
cook on her fathers plantation, sooty ana
plump, rugged out in her own cast-of earrings
and w0rn.Out muslins but this damsel, with
her tidy morning dress of shilling calico, and
mien of solfrespect, was very evidently not to
be classed in the same category by many de-
gree
The girl looked up from her knife-rubbing,
as Mrs Young stood hesitatlng ON the thresh-
old, and made an inclination of her body that
might have been mistaken for IA courtesy
Emily felt strongly inclined to courtesy in re-
| turn.
"You have things very tidy here see she
said, as a sort of compromise, glancing about
the clean, newly furnished kitchen The girl
did not seem elated by the compliment but
went on with her work; while Emily turned
uneasly from one thing to another, uncertain
what to say next. AT length she turned to
leave.
Ma'am didn't say what we was goin' to
have for dinner" spoke the girl
"Oh dinner!n said Emily, with look Of
deep consideration Why, anything you
please"
The girl dug her knife into the scrubbing-
sand and looked az thoughtful ~ her mistress.
Have you been to market !" asked Emily,
seeing that she still awaited orders
Market" asked the girl, looking up puz-
zled "Ain't none "a she added, ut last
"Nonel" thought every village had
market W
"Nom; Mr. Tins, the butcher, he makes
his rounds every once Il week. or according as
he kills crittur"
II suppose you know better than do -
Emily bit her lips, for they had nearly slipped
into adding maam!"
"What have we in the house ~
"Thers a bar Of flour, ma am, and two
barls of corned beef down cellar and half
bar'l and keg of salt pork, I'm thinking"
replied the girl, counting them on her sanded
fingers.
@And not any fresh meat :"
Not bit, ma'am :"
81 must have some, said Emily, with an air
Of vexati0n and decision.
The girl shrugged her shoulders.
"Cannot you get any, anywhere" she ask
cd, in concilatory tone.
"Nowhercs. that know Of" said the girl,
tuckng back her hair with one hand, unless"
she added, slowly, miss Johnson might kill a
biddy, likely
"A biddy? What's thatp
"a hen, ms'am
"WellD returned Emily, much relieved,
here, take this two-bit pecc---you may take
couple Of them" said she, opening her bead
purse, and slipping out two quarters, and 30
and buy fowl of Miss Johnson, a. you call
her. Be right quick"
The girl nodded mutely, and going over to
her old quarters, reported the minister's wife
M the "oddest body she ever did come across
there was no taking count Of her outlandlsh
words!"
Mrs johnson sent the hen, and refused the
money--an act of generosity which Emily APP
-. ..s.....I., LuaxU hnvr IN aekunwl.