New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-04-26
FROM the Columbian Magazine
MARY LORINGS LESSON OF LIFE.
BY MISS MARY CHASE.


CHAPTER j.
Po91 % fd what s. have pa3sssd 3 with nothing recall
BY the glowing cmbers of the kitchen hearth of large
oldfshoned mhouse. sat Abel Martin and his wife
1t late in the evening and chill blast without
They had been sitting long in silence, and at length Mrs
Martin spoke
1t don't hardly if poor James was gone after
all ~
She uttered this in a half suggestive half doubt
ing tone and accompanied it with very proper sigh
Whoever james might be- it evident that his loss had
not very deeply affected her
81 really cannot realize t she continued and then
to think of sending his daughter be taken
OF and brought up 1t is certainly very affecting though
don't how it is to be done. and not used to
having children about the house Butt she said wa,
errands and they say that she is very smart with
her needles and paints and sings and all that She
think to have thing to do with such useless stuff here
but can keep her sewing good part of the time There's
the linen made three years ago not made up vet besides
great deal Of flannel and tow-cloth and she can learn
weave dare say if she learns other things so
quick, and guess can make her useful after all'
Mrs Martin paused and looked up her husband for
reply He had been gazing at the fire steadily for the last
hour without the slightest change of expression in his
countenance But now rising up and claspng his hands
over his knees, he said
Hannah you know how much property your brother
James ~
No"
Well, it was just fifty thousand dollars''
Fifty thousand dollars and all to that girl ,''
Yes; and to be her guardian till she is of age
She's little over fifteen tell you what Hannah,
that girl don't look to as if it would take much
her mother died and looks dreadful pale. If any thing
should happen you know, the property would all
us.h
Fifty thousand dollars repeated his wife as if una.
bic to comprehend the amount.
Yes and II you only manage right it will all be
Just keep her right under your thumb DON'T her think
she can have her ALL Because in the first place
it will be the easiest way and next when she grown up
she lives so long which can't think will be less trouble
to prevent her marrying and taking her mopey into her
own hands, For of there will be plenty that will
be glad to get such rich girl"
Conversng thus, the farmer and his wife until the
embers had nearly died upon the hearth all their
discourse of the orphan girl who had that day
der their charge mothers love she had known
and her father had lately died in distant part the state
whence she had been by their relatives
Little did james Lorng know the misery raspng dspo-
sition of his sister and her husband when his will he
left his only child to their They had not
many and each had been sufficiently occupied in the
pursuit Of wealth almost forget the other Abel Martin
had no children. Perhaps the influence of young and
generous spirits might have made him better But
with themselves to provide for both he and his
wife had gone on from year to tong to prop
erty which they could neither enjoy themselves
with others But they had welcomed their young
with much warmth they knew how to infuse into
their words for she leiress and an invalid ant
they her nearest kin.
But. oh how the poor chds heart sank within her.
she gazed around on the large dimlyghted whos
pondrous furniture had acquired that stiff imoyab bic
which always distinguishes unusual articles and desc
late feeling settled upon her heart she
rased this lonely house with her pretty chamber
sunshine and comfort Except great occasions
kitchen and some small sleeping the only
opeueu served domestic purposes
dining and raror 1t large and almost
ly the restbrown beams Toured grmy overhead and
the vast fireplace seemed ready swallow up whole
When she shown to her chamber at night her foot
steps echoed loudly through the uncarpeted hall and
the bare creakng stairs When her aunt left her she
thre herself on the bed and sobbed aloud And well
she might for nothing could be more cold and dismal than
that room 1t was furnished with bed and chair, a
very small locking glass and stand of the narrowest
proportions. with long, rickety legs And this all
Never before had she passed night in such a room.
But when she had dried her tears and laid herself down
for the night she could not sleep. The cold linen struck
chill through her frame and the weight of the bed
clothes which tyet gave warmth insupportable
Then the wind rose and made such strange, unearhy
noises around the house that she filled with fear
At last after two three hours she and wrapping
shawl about her descended to the kitchen. AS she
opened the door the pair who still sat by the hearth
were startled by her unexpected appearance.
What the matter my dear !' said Mrs Martin in
tone intended to be very gentle
oh aunt it is cold and so lonesome I'D stairs had
rather sit up all night than stay there.n
If you cold, III put clothes the bed but
as to being lonesome I'm there can't anything be
more nice and snug.''
If you please, won't you let sit here till you go up
stairs? shan't mind it much then'
Mrs Martin looked at her husband who shook his head
and she replied,
mo, my dear. Go right back to your room, and III
bring you something warm to put to your feet can't
have you think to begin to be baby. and if you are
afraid of the wind, shall be ashamed of you And don
you down again my dear after YOU have
gone to bed And another time you must warm before
you gon
With IL heavy heart poor Mary Lorng again ascended
The stairs that seemed to creak louder and echo longe,
than before and buryng her face in her pillow wept
herself to sleep.
CHAPTER II.