Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-07-27

sell that Mrs. Young was worse ailln9 tnan
they thought. She wondered if she drank
boneset tea tho first thing every morning, or
bandaged her chest with mullen leaves? She
should call on her soon, and see about oil these
things. Poor thing her ma was dead, and
she had nobody to see to her but that man of
a minister, who would never know he himself
was sick, until he had one foot in the grave,
unless he had somebody to tell him J"
Bat the Society had not been accustomed to
Miss Polly's rule; and thu will of Mrs. Ray
carried the day
CHAP. III
The next evening was icy cold. 1t was the
precursor of that white demon OF winter, q
northeast snow-storm, heralded by hoarse,
shrieking blast that made the pulse of the
strongest shiver. 1t shook the heart of Emily
like the vibration Of a death-knell, as she went
from her kitchen to her parlor window, leaned
her feverish cheek against the cold pane, and
watched for the coming Of the husband whose
presence was her life.
He had been out all day, making parochial
calls. He had encountered double portion
of coolness and innuendoes, and not a few di-
rect attacks, aimed at his hearts one defence
less point; for every housewife who had joined
in the vote to supply him with the report of
the preceding day had felt it incumbent on
her to add the weight of her present voice to
that of her absent vote, and to deal with him
plainly about the failings of his wife.
Worn out, disgusted, and irritated, the more
that he felt it was all true, and all meant
kindly to him, Mr.. Young, who had with diff
Guilty succeeded in restraining his ire through
the day, vented it, on reaching his abode, by
leap from his sleigh, and a kick at the innocent
gate, which stood inviting him to open it,
which sent it reeling off its hinges, like the
door of drunkard's barn.
This done, he embarrassed his orderly horse,
and went soberly into the house, as minister
should do; stopping on his way to put the gate
back in its place, with silent promise of
nail Or two in due time.
"Ugh! well-this is something like COM
fort!' he exclaimed, tossing off his overcoat,
rubbing his cold hands, and settling into a
stuffed rocking chair before the briskly burn
ing fre-logs. Emily" he began. But a
strong sob from Emily interrupted him.
"What ails you, Emily? Are you sick 2"
he exclaimed, starting up neryously.,. :,
"Only sick of my life" she replied, with
out turning. II cannot bear all this inso-
lence !"
"Come here, Emily" said he, sadly but ten
and seated herself upon the arm of the chair,
and hid her face on his broad shoulder.
"Who has been prosecuting you to-day,
again, my poor girl?"
"Rocksy!"
"Only Rocksy 2" said he with q smile of
relief "Tis little matter, then Pack her
off! What had she to say?"
She didn't come up to arrange my room
this morning as have always told her to do
And when | called her up, and said thing or
two that she richly deserved, she said that she
never had made up ladies' own beds for them
before she came here, and she had pretty much
made up her mind she wouldn't do it much
longer any how y But the worst of it was"
she trembled with anger /" that Mrs. Ray has
been tampering with her-prying into all the
secrets of our home and telling her to stand
up for her rights And that vixen of Mrs.
Brown, too bidding her mot to be trod upon y
she says She let it all out in hor anger. 1t
is intolerable! OH husband, they are all
alike, these white girls DO let me sond for
nv dear old black 'maumer !"
If hornet had flown into the minister's
face, he could scarcely have started up more
energetically than he did, nearly overturning
his char with its precious freight.
Emily Emily child You don't know
what you are taking about The parish would
be up in arms!"
Emily crushed the flowers of the carpet with
her kid slipper, and answered with spirit
81 married qjou, husband, and not your par
ish | have never owed it anything, | am
sure-not even the debt of love. ! don't see
why should sacrifice my happiness and health
to it's prejudices and whims !"
"My wife are you ready to sacrifice what
..-E~ .A1l,x haa
happiness or wealth--his power of doing good
to his people? his Vcry place as the pastor of
that people, and his station as minister OF
the Gospel?"
He had never before spoken so to her. She
seemed stunned, and he went on, though more
gently.
"You don't know all have seen and heard,
Emily. | hoped to keep it from you forever.
And if alone had suffered--if it were q mere
matter of feeling, ought to bear il, and would
have borne it, in silence But, Emily-the very
children turn away from me, when 60 into
the homes of my parshioners. The women
take upon themselves to counsel and warn me,
instead Of needing or seeking my counsel.
The men hint darkly what will soon be spoken
in daylight, if matters go on thus much longer
that they are dissatisfied with their minister
and must turn him loose upon the world"
Every drop of blood had gone from Emily's
face. Her husband stopped, stopped, and held
her up with his arm, or she would have fallen
to the floor.
He saw that he had spoken rashly and harsh
ly; but it was too late to recall the words. He
carried her to the sofa, laid her upon it, and
began nervously to chafe her white hands. In
q few moments she regained her strength, and
with wild, hopeless look, started to her feet.
"I knew it! knew it Why did you take
me away from my home2 knew they would