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

Tears sprang to Emly's eyes, too. az she
caught his glance. A 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 rs he was, by
love, hope, and happiness, was unusually elO-
quent that day. Ii was not long before she
forgot that there was another beng in the uni
worshipping The closing sentence dropped
her again to earth and as she turned her ewes
ON his congregation, they kindled from the
loving pride that lighted her hearts altar.
Oh if they had but read that heart But
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 !
sal censure.
"Well, what do you think noulr said an
old lady by the church steps, to Mrs Stephens
as she passed down, leaning on her husbands
arm.
IL Think answered the tlower-lovng in
valid 81 think she's a very rosebud don't
you?"
What do are want of rose-budln an
swered the other, scornfully.
Nevertheless, Mrs. Stephens's appellaton
being repeated passed into Village classic -
and the 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 useessness,
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
II pattern and guide in short complete ca
tastrOphe to the church, parish, and minister
himself
The Sabbath passed, and the week brought
its new trials and duties to Emily Young As
"help" was commodity not always to be Sc
cured at moments warning. Mrs Deacon
Johnson had kindly lent her domestic to the
establishment for few days.
"Now. Emily" said her husband, as he
poised his spoon over his empty cofee-cup, at
the breakfast-table, "now you are fairly launch
ing into housekeeping
Yes but-Pm puzzled about n good many
things. There isn't any lock on the pantry, or
the store-room, orr
well what of that ~
"Why, never heard Of such n thing The
honsekeeper keeps the keys, always. Mother
did"
ooh understand returned her husband
"Why, the fact is, Emily, this was a favorite
mode of expression with him " the fact if, 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
care they so easily offended" asked Emf
ly, rather scornfully.
Yes, dear; you will have to be on'your
guard with them, 70: they can do deal OF
mischief in parish, if they take II prejudice
against Il ady-especialIy minister's wife.
Thus warned, Emily very timidly ventured
into her kitchen, an hour or two after break
fast, feeling very much like meddler in q
| place where she had no business whatever
| The presiding genius, a neat, pretty " lanke
| girl was being SO utterly new to her, tina
she was sorely puzzled to know just what ranl
to assign her, or Just what form of speech t,
use in addressing her, She thought of the ole
cook on her fathers plantation, sooty AM
| plump, rugged out in her own cast-oK EARRING
and worn.out muslins but this damsel, will
her tidy morning dress of shilling calico, anC
mien of self-respect, was very evidently not t.
be classed in the same category by many de
gree,
The girl looked up from her knife-rubbing
as Mrs. Young stood hesitating on the thrcsh
old and made an inclination of her body tina
might have been mistaken for a courtesy
Emily felt strongly inclined to courtesy in re
turn.
"You have things very tidy here, | see,' she
said, ~ sort Of compromise, CHANGING 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 dnner!" spoke the girl
Oh dinner ~ said Emily, with look of
deep consideration. why, anything you
please"
The girl dug her knife into the scrubbing-
sand and looked as thoughtful as her mistress.
Have you been to market?' asked Emily,
seeing that she still awaited orders.
Market 90 asked the girl, looking up puz-
zled "Ain't none y she added, ut last.
None" thought every village had a
market ~
Nom; MIR. Tins, the butcher he makes
his rounds every once a week, or according as
he kills n critturo
suppose you know better than ! do -
Emily bit her lips, for they had nearly slipped
into adding, a'am!
"What have we in the house ~
"Thers a bar'l of -four, ma am, and two
bar'ls of corned beef, down cellar; and a half
bari and key of salt pork, I'm thinking"
replied the girl, counting them on her saDded
fingers.
{" And not any fresh meat -
Not bit ma'am ~
81 must have some, said Emily, with an air
Of vexaton and decision.
The girl shrugged her shoulders.
"Cannot you get any, anywhere" she ask
ed, in concilatory tone.
"Nowheres, that know Of said the girl,
tucking back her hair with one hand, unless,
she added, slowly, "Miss Johnson might kill a
biddy, likely"
"A biddy, What's that"
"a hen, ma'am
"Well,p returned Emily, much relieved,
:" here, take this two-bit plece--you may take
a couple Of them" said she, opening her bead
purse, and slipping out two quarters, "and 60
and buy fowl of Miss Johnson, ~ you call
her. Be right quickW
The girl nodded mutely, and going over to
her old quarters, reported the minister's wife
as the "oddest body she ever did come across
there was no taking count Of her outlandsh
words
Mrs. johnson sent the hen, and refused the
moncy--an act of generosity which Emily APP
prsciated hut scarcely knew how 10 ackn0wl-