The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-10-14

almost lnNOluntarlly. dartlng upon MN loon
in which all the old pride of the hciress wa
for the moment flashing
"Dear Augusta, will you let me provide foI
yOurseIt' he asked, with glance that sent a
crimson torrent over her cheeks and forehead
and weighed down the long lashes for many
minutes.
They talked until the day waned into even.
ing and when they arose, to 20 and look again
upon Z" the face of the dead" Augusta had re-
solved to rescue her servants, at any sacrifice,
from the fate of those whom her poor brother
had left without human helper.
Henrys summary election of the officers
was meanwhile the theme of active discussion
in the long brick kitchen. Ruby described the
scene, with much gestculation, and sundry ex-
aggerations ending with expressing her convic-
ton that there never was such "a powerful
Onarthly spirit in a live body as in that there
Mass'r Less'rs.'
"Umph!' grunted old Bill, her "henpeck-
ed spouse who sat smoking stump of pipe
in the corner I'll be boun' if you didn't say
he hadn't the spunk of an alligator, time agone,
when he wouldn't show fire to Mass Raby "
"Well ole man, what ails ye? Hasn't you
ever hearn tell o folks CROWN bigger and
larnin' wiseri Now, thar's Mass'r Less'r, he
grows bigger and larns spunk and here's l.,
grows bigger an larns de prechiation of it !"
Don't sec as he's growed right smart of II
heap, nor you MOTHER" observed the other, sui
eny
mo more can't bats eyes see i tn daylight
You go long buy backer!"
"Oh you Your Miss Gussie to hum to-day ~
This query was shouted by the lips of a stout
negro woman, straight as Il forest pine, who,
with u bushel basket upon her head and Il
smaller one upon her arm had just alighted
from rude wagon at the back door of neat
dwelling house in one of our Western cities
The Irish girl addressed seemed quite at n
loss, and stood stroking her carroty locks with
the stupid exclamation. " Anan what wad We
be afther, them when Il third parsonage in
a white pyramidal turban, came to the aid OF
her wits.
"Lor' save u.s." exclaimed Nanny, tn,
newcomer, as she ran down the steps, "who',
a 'spected to see you, dis yer time o day
What's you got for tn missis dis time, oil
Rubyi"
wal" haint raised heap o. Eaters bu
Use fotch We a basket o mighty fine uns, . sh,
said noddng her head to disp play them Here
n bite O. my salary and sparrow-grass, too; i'll
right late in the season for it. Thar's twelve
span O pigins, out n the cart yonder, what
my old man snapped up-and Il beauty bunch
o ross'n ears as ever growed on cornstalks, a
purpose for Miss Gusse"
"Come along in, ole CONAN, and SEQ dc
folks"
Sure am. Hows tn Miss Gussie and the
| little 'un!"
Right smart replied Nanny, with al
air of pride, as she walked off to summon hel
mistress.
Augusta Lester came tripping into the airy
kitchen, in her morning dress of white-th,
very embodiment of happy, loving spirit
Her cheeks had fallen little from the round
ness of sixteen, and the light in her eyes was
softened by home-born happiness Otherwise
she was so little changed from the girl thai
her old dependant might well be pardoned fol
continuing to address her as " Miss Gussie.'
"Is it you, my good RUBY" she exclaimed
shaking the hard old hand very cordially
Chow have you been land Bill, and Nancy
and all the rest! Why, here IL Sophy, on: il
the cart! Why doesn't she come in?"
"She's kcepin' of the beast" explaine,
Aunt Ruby. 81 fetched myself airly, so sh
might get back to her schoolin' dis evening
She's gettin' to be right smart of scholar i
dc Testament aud spelling book It's good a
n mectin', to set an hear her, by nights Oh
dis yer larnin's mighty fine thing!'
"You may be very thankful that she has tn
privilege, Aunt Ruby; it is not given in man
places
"Sure, wouldn't go down on my knees +
that blessed young missy! But it's all of you
dom, Miss Gussie, a pervidin' for your poo
creturs -
"Well, we'll" interrupted Mrs. Lester, "yo,
must let me pay you for these"
Not a picayune wad put my finger to ?
exclaimed the woman, stoutly, drawing herself
up. Long as ole Rubys got corn to make @
hoe cake, she'll vide wild the missis that's KEEP
her out O that yer CURSED mass'rs clutches L
ever gets to Heaven, Miss Gussie, Ill down
on my knees, and tell the Lord all about it, an
he'll give you the biggest crown o stars up in
the sky-so he will :"
Ruby's quivering voice was stopped by the
entrance of little fellow in long clothes, es
corted by Nanny, who gave merry crow and
jump toward his mother
"Lord-a massy!' drawled out Ruby, in ex.
cess of delight. If | amt beat all to noffn
Bless his purity eyes theys his fader's before
him u
Faith, and it's his teenty taunty bit Of Il
paw that's the mither's own, for shure !" OBJ
served the Irish cook, who had again drawn
near.
"Pdw! Was ever the impertinaciOusness ! "
exclaimed Nanny, scorniully, as she kissed
the insuted little tapering dlgits.
A brisk heavy step sounded along the hall
and Henry Lcstcr-Jtdge Lester, to give him his
newly-won h0nOrs-was welcomed by the group
His was the proud and happy face that should
bend over such wife and child.
elbow are you getting along in the back.
woods 2" he inquired of Ruby
"Fuss rate, and thank ye, Mass'r. Bill and
Jesse has jined hands to put up timber frame.
lie carcd u space for wheat, las year, ye know,
an it's tall crop We makes on garden sauce,
and eggs and chickens, mostly always when
we goes marketing"
"And do you ever wish yourself back on the
old place, RUBY"
She shrugged her shoulders, and held her
head shrewdly on one side.
oval, Mass'r you know ever body sets up
for whar they was raised. Twas n mighty
nice place, fit for a king and Miss Gussie was
10 good, We never thought o quittin'. But now
Ia larnt wiser, reckon | wouldn't 20 back
no, not if twas with you and the missis and
that thar blessed baby"
Judge Lester laughed gay, but signfi-
cant laugh-as he caught up his little Harry,
and putting his arm about his wife, drew both
from the kitchen, with the echoes Of well-earn-
ed blessings in their ears.