Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-10-12


mamma and her husband, who also loved
them as if they had been his own children;
but all she received was insufficient to
satisfy Emmeline's costly and extravagant
fantasies.
The evil was at its height before Ma
dame Agosta's eyes were opened. Her
husbands age and her own caused her to
fear leaving these two children without for
tune and with extravagant habits. She
thea wished to change the plan she had
pursued for fifteen years, but it was too
late; Emmellne's vanity, more powerful
than her judgment, prevented her from
leaving the magic and brilliant circle in |
which she had passed her life. Sidonia,
moro sensible, reflected seriously on their
situation; she saw with grief the failing
health Of her friend, and the desire of re-
paying in part what she owed her, gave
her the courage to renOunce the frivolous
desire of pleasing otherwise than by her
personal qualities. From that time she
began to make for herself all the orna-
mental trifes she wore, and thus saved a
| little against time of need
Madame AgOsta had not been able to re-
solve on speaking seriously to her dear
daughters on the subject nearest her heart,
when she met with Cecilia. She fattered
herself that by means of this little one, she
could give indirect lessons to Emmeline,
who might some day justly reproacA her
with her blind and foolish tenderness.
Cecilia's mother came up to thank the
ladies, and they were much pleased with
her. She was widow, and by her indus
try supported her two young children with
out having recourse to charity.
| am young yet said she to Madame
Agosta, and God In his mercy has given
me good health it would be wrong in me
to receive the aims intended for the old and
iuirm.
1t must be difficult for you to make
living, replied the lady.
j. Yes, madame, 1t Is indeed; but do
not complain when | have work. | rise
before day and retire late; the best part of
t my day Is whilst my children are asleep
eighteen hours Of hard labor scarcely briug
[ Inc twenty SOUS!
Indeed! ! exclaimed Madame Agosta
= then added, come and see me: will try
| aud be useful to YOU; and she gave her
r her address.
! CJclAa's mother was grateful for the in
terest shown by the ladies'. She saluted
t them, thdnAing them heartily for THEN
/ klnIness, ana reured, lest she might ap.
{ t,OssL Tunport tuu1Uc.
Next day she went with Cecilia to the
! house of NJ. Agosta, where she was kindly
t received Emmehne dressed her protege
= and found her so pretty that she coull
. scarcely suffer her to depart; but Madame
: Agosta had not yet had an opportunity tt
II make the necessary inquiries respecting th
/, mother, whose name Was Roman. Whel
l. she had done SO, and was satisfied as to he
respectabiEty, she asked tor the daughter.
Y. Tears filled the eyes of the fond mothe
IA at this kind proposition, which was too goo
of to be refused she however seemed mor
st swayed by gratitude than interest. 1t Wa
vo agreed that she should come to see Cecil
a. as ofteu as she pleased.
,lr \ child should never lose sight of i
no parents, said Madame Agosta were G.
to ella ashamed of her mother, should r
re prOach myself with having provided for h,
en- existence at the expense OF her moral qua
nd tiles
yo Madame Agosta engaged to give trac
ut to the little one, as soon as she was old
u.s. nough to be taught, thus informing tt
ey mother she did not intend raising her |
ap dy. She also settled little pension on h
10 mother, to be paid each month. All the
le- preliminary arrangements made, Cecilia W
tu- given up to her benefactress.
a. Meanwhile, the sister who had desir
|. to take the child--she, whom Madame
I'VE costa hoped to cure of her coquetry by tt
ted sew occupation-thought and cared t
red least for her. SIdonia, on the contrary, fel
lsh real attachment for the little one, aud
vas trenched from her own expenses conside
,es; bly, to give her dear Cecilia a thousa
the things of which she had need Sidonia
em, so took upon herself the instructing of t
an. child, who attached herself to her with
lish her heart. Emmehne' fancy over, hare
for did she know that Cecilia was in the hou
lrn, Madame Agosta saw with sorrow that
try, praiseworthy intention had failed of it's
Jns, feet; but amiable even to weakness,
this suffered things to 60 on as usual. SO
ft- time later an attack of apoplexy war;
new her that it was indeed time to think of
future Of her young friends.
MIS- NJ. Agosta received a great deal of cC
ZEN, pany, ami was generally supposed to
The rich therefore, as soon as his lady lie
,urt De understood that she thought OF est
heir fishing her daughters, as she called tn
On. many young men showed by their at
into lions that they would like to be chosen.
S to One sultry day, about this time, Em
liue took book and seated herself in
| hio garden, in search of fresh air Immedi
his y afterwards, two gentlemen called to
and Agosta, and not fin. hng him at home, "
wor. l,s1 to the garden, AMI seated themse
Iolce IA bench whose back was placed oppc
with % the Que occupied by Emmehne, VINO
o b completely hiduen from them by IL
Iuiy. .lant vine. They had not been seated
PAN 'etore tue following conversation
roo, place -
pre- l hear, my dear Blanzac, that your
care, > upon the list of those desirous of obt
ltifu. ny the hand of the beautiful Emmelin
som, People may say what they please,
usltt perhaps Casimirj like thoughtless yC
rprls nan, may have given rise to the repor
dls attentions, bat do you think me su
ad to TOOL as to accept of a daughter-in-law
Onse- would ruin meH
rich They say Emmeine will have a
at Ia lOwEy''