The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-06-17
WASHINGTON, d. C.
For the National Era
THE DIFFERENCE, AND WHAT MADE II.
BY THE AurHo. OF clon.nOor.a

lcoNcLuDED.l
When it was baked, the good old lady held
Il M in triumph. A white linen towel she had
snun and woven, prevented the dish from burn
mo her hands; while she advised Matilda to
,aRs a lesson or her old mother--bsgin right,
and not humor John to all his whims but TO
always use her own wit when she knew she
was 10 the right-urgipg that in this particn-
lar instanceshe had, rs the fruits of her pru-
dence. the beautifalest pie she ever see whilst
if she had minded Robinson" she would have
had batch that nobody could eat, and that
would have aggravated her whenever she
thought Of it.
aWell, well, MOTHER said the Judge as she
brushed the ashes from the corner with the
wing of turkey, your judgment is generally
pretty correct; and while your pie baked, /
cooked up little plan which want seasoned
with your opinion. " -..-- 49,
IL happened, as is often the case with we'll
TODD farmers, that Judge Robinson had, on an
obscure nook of his handsome estate an old
house He had formerly dwelt in it himself;
but since his more affluent days, and the build
ing of n newer and more commodious one, it
had been let 10 a tenant together with a por-
ton of the lands.
1t was an old.fashioned, irregular sort of
building, with messy roof, steep gables, white
washed walls, &c. Nevertheless it was still a
goldfish sort of tenement neighbored by OF
chard, barn, crib, smoke-house, and the like
conveniences.
The plan which the Judge had cooked up
was a proposal TO renovate the old house a
little, for the occupancy of John and Matilda.
As much ground as be could cultivate was
placed at the young mans disposal; q garden,
in which currant bushes strawberries, horse
radish, and asparagus, were beginning to
sprout as also cow, two horses, and the
necessary agricultural implements
This kind of help-the means of helping
themseves-was not precisely the kind they
had hoped for But abeggars must not be
choosers, F" said Mrs Robinson, disposed, woman
like to make the best Of the best and, in truth,
as she thought more about the plan. she began
to like it 1t would be so delightful to have the
garden, aud to learn the art Of butter making,
aud all the other mysteries of country life.
Then, too, the baby would have a nice green
yard to play in-the idea was charming
Mr. Robinson told his friends that he should
remove to his country property for the summer,
that the health of his family required it; and
that he proposed to take house in town an
other winter; hotel was miserable subter-
iuge for home and he continued to describe
it in the use Of adjectives which shall not re-
peat =
These preliminaries arranged, Mr. and Mrs.
John Robinson removed to their country seat
in other words, they betook themselves, with
their baby very excellent trunk which was
Mrs. Robnson's and a very poor old one
which was Mr.. Robinson's, to the old tenant
house of MIR. Robinson; because, in brief they
could not do otherwise.
And to this place. as before related, | one
evening" toward the close of the following May,
crossed the meadows to make my first call
John Robinson had been my schoolmate; had
known him in oil the devious paths "that led
him up to man, and looked with more lcni-
ency. perhaps, upon his faults and foibles than
! otherwise should have done Besides, he had,
mixed up with idle and profane habits, and
aside from his braggadocia and disposition to
tyrannize where he had power, some generous
and good qualities Mrs Robinson, l fanoied
must find the old place lonesome, shut from
view Of everything but wood and meadow, and
meet with many discouragements, accustomed
as she had been to stylish and luxurious
mode Of life
John had seen nothing Of for several years;
bat had heard reports not favorable to his
growth in grace or goodness. The wife had
never seen; and as walked down the hollow,
skipped over the run, (still trickIing noisily
with the spring thaw) climbed the next hill,
passed the old oak, quickened my steps through
strip Of woods, and struck into the lane lead
ing directly to the door, unused to myself as
to what sort Of persons should meet
A thousand stars were in heaven, when the
old gate creaked upon its hinges to admit me
but there was yet sufficient light for an outside
observation, and ! recognised such signs Of
thrift and industry rs little expected to meet.
The picket fence had been mended and white
washed, the strawberries trimmed the raspbsr--
ries tied to supporting stakes and deal of
rubbish cleared from the yard, where the turf
now lay fresh and smooth, save here and there
where little patches had been broken for the
planting of flowers. The glimpse caught of
the high garden beds, straight rows of peas
pale shoots Of onions, and Struggling radish.
tops, were no less pleasantly Indicative.
From the milk-yard heard the rustling Of
hay, the sharp ringing Of the first streaming
mix on the bottom Of the tin pail and the
hummed fragment OF rural song at the same
time. The windows Of the kitchen were aglow
and the crying Of a child, with the voice OF one
trying TO still 1t, the while some other task was
sion ="
:. me door was opened by young paIe-look-
ilhe woman, whom supposed to be Mrs. Rob.
'uso,' ana to whom introduced myself as
ne'ghnor, well known to her husband There
was slight trepidation in her manner. indica-
ing d'ihdence ] did not expect, though her
welcome was full Of cordially, grace, and
4. The roses were gone from her cheeks, and
ue curls tucked away from their flowing
out she had, instead, that look Of patient.
motneriy mcekness. which made her more
peausiiui her dress was neat and tasteful and
as sne lett the tea-kettle steaming on the
hearth, the table, with is snowy cloth falling
almost to the floor, and the tea things pertiai.
~ arranged, and took the baby on her knees
she presented, with her surroundings. picture
to be cnvied. The furniture was neither OF.
pensive nor profuse but the taste and hnppv
disposition Of such AZ they had, gave an air OF
comfort =, and even Of elegance, to their home.
me white muslin curtains at the windowa
moving draperies over the tables, the few
DOCKS the guitar, and the flowers gave that
pseal'ar charm TO the place which have seen
much larger expenditure Gail 10 do.
,o VT. Robinsou's first exclamation, on seeing
bad sasa round oath; and, after his surprise
80. mus vented itself be gave me polite and
n. .uiy Welcome and taking the baby from
Of I'm 'es arns entertained me with accounts
nr. ns success ~ n farmer. Nor did he fail 70
H. Tue aptitude and many excellences OF
"ne, telling ma that she had not only
ill., 70 make bread, piss, puddines and the
sns put thas she could waah, iron. and scrub
na.s 10 TACT, master I'll the laas elegant depayt.
"S " h0unnkeoD;ug M pots.s-,.. l...h.A