The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-06-15
. YOUTHS DEPARTMENT.
The Tale Bearer.
BY mss ELIZA A. CHASE.

> g.. /
les BY MISS ELIZA A. CHASE. ~s6' i
"Come here, Mary Lindsay l want to
tell you something" said Julia Wilmot to
her schoolmate, one morning. The two
girls had a long and close interview, du-
ring which Mary exclaimed more than
once, 81 can not believe it, Julia! it is i'm
possible!" .-
1T is certainly true, Mary. for l tell you
my father was there, and | am glad we
know it," returned Julia; and they re-
traced their steps to the school-house.
"Good morning, girls" said sweet
looking girl of slig ght and delicate frame,
though evidently as old as either of those
she addressed. A formal bow from Julia,
and cold "Good morning." from Mary
was the only answer she received, as the
two girls turned abruptly away and left her.
A tear trembled in her eye. and her
lips quivered but pressing them firmly to-
gether, as ifto repel all such emotions, her
countenance resumed its sweet and gen.
tie look, and smiles wreathed her thin lips
as she received the warm hearted greetings
Of various other companions.
| Eveline Elwood was some fourteen years
of age, but, as has been observed, she was
fragile and delicate in the extreme Her
rich, golden hair, parted smoothly back
from her transparent forehead, hung in
wavy masses around her neck, and with
her guileless and con6ding look gave her
the gentle appearance of almost infantile
beauty.
But no. in this consisted her great charm
ofpleasing. 1t was the kind and pure spir-
it which warmed her-heart, and gave her
that angelic look.
IS Perfectly unselfsh, and willing to sac
rifce her own convenience for any one,
yet firm and unyielding in what she thought
right, she soon became that remarkable
thing, the general favorite of both teacher
and scholars.
+ But there was one in whose breast lurk-
ed the germs OF envy. when she saw that
Eveline was not only her superior in the
affections OF her comrades, but was likely
to be successful rival in prize competi
ton; and not daring TO come out openly
against her, she secretly resolved that.
"come what would" as she expressed it.,
"Evelinc Ellwood's pride should be morti-
fed" .f4sa z-z @ So. 5~,gE ~
Poor Evelne! 1t was her misfortune
that her father, an artist of considerable
talent had acquired habit OF using intoX-
icating drinks, though as yet he had moi
become incapable of performing his en-
gagements. But day or two previous
to the one on which our story opens, he had
been called few miles from home to
sketch mandatory, which was to be en-
graved but meeting some dissipated ac-
quaintances, he was induced 10 indulge
too freely. and was dismissed by his en-
ployers. and sent home in disgrace.
Julia's father, passing through the place
at the time, had heard the story and il
was this, told in its worst light, and with
some important additions, that Mary had
pronounced impossible. The unhappy
man, in his incoherent talk, asked for moro
liquor, and, on its being refused, wished
his daughter there .for she would give
him some she is the best girl in the world
and never disobeys me-" he added. But
Julia's version was, that Eveline was in
the habit Of procuring liquor for her father
Before night, the story had spread a
mong the girls. and though by many il
was Indignantly repelled, there were some
who, for the first time, remembered that in
play, Evelne had tossed her head as il tc
2 shos, her glossy curls or she had given
? herself airs because she was the favorite o
the teacher; while the more enviou:
thought it no wonder she studied so hard
the prize would purchase many dram fol
her father. -
Eveline saw storm gathering. but SHE
+: could not divine its import; and with {
sad heart and fearful eyes she started fol
home. 1t so happened, that the girls who
went that way were those who felt mos
e unkindly to her, and as cutting sneers o
. drunkenness fell on her ear, she hastenet
on; but Julia kept by her side till she hae
+ finished her cruel tale, ending with the
taunt, 'Do hurry now, your father wants
his dram by this time"
q The whole truth flashed upon the mine
n ofthe sensitive girl, end clasping her hands
she sobbed violently, and regardless lofths
: intense heat of the day she hurried on
!; wishing only that she might hide her fac
!. in her mothers bosom and weep,
II But knowing that her mother had grief
e enough of her own, she suppressed her e
e motion as well as she could, and on reach
d ing home, replied to her anxious inquire
J. concerning her flushed cheeks and painful
e look, that her head ached severely. Blu
1t when her poor father, alive to the situation
g of his idolized child, though full of tn
t. sense of his recent disgrace, laid his han,
al tenderly on her head and asked ii she wer
e ill, she burst into an uncomfortable fit G
weeping.
A fever accompanied this unusual ex
. citement; her mental distress, with he
: long and rapid walk in the hot sun, ha
: s. been too much for the frail girl. and befor
= morning she was in raging delirium an
- dangerously i'll. Ere long. the unhapp
father had gathered from her words enoug
to convince him ofthe cause Of her illness
!. and his agony was beyond description.
n That his beautiful, his only child shoul
Of suffer so keenly for his disgrace was a to,
l. turing thought; but if she should die;
,e her sensitive spirit was SO deeply wounde
,e that her slight frame could not endure tn
!. shock, there was madness in the though