Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-10-12
Cbuire litrraturr.
From Arthur's Home Gazette.
EMMgLTNE or TAE COaUETTE

up 10 Jhem 10 escape lIolh uhoVhSA CAAiAu
who was pursuing her. Madame Agosta
inyoIuntarlly stepped aside to let her pass.
Einmeliue with a feeling Of disgust for the
dirty, shabby clothing OF the littIe one, drew
back disdalntully, lest her new merino
dress might be sOlled. The child no soon
er saw herself safe among the ladies, than
resuning her usual tranquility, sne ex-
claimed with the freedom OF her age, |
'Ah, how much frightened / was but
the wicked Francis cannot catch me here
She accompanied these words with a
charming smile and graceful movement of
the mead, which riveted all eyes upon her
pretty face.
oh, mamma how lovely she is, ex-
claimed Emmeline, approaching the little
girl, who made a courtesy anu kissed her
hand. Emmeliue, still more charmed,
stopped Madame Agosta aud Sidonia fol-
lowed her example. The weather was so
pleasant they took chairs and seated them
selves, Madame Agosta giving bon-bOns to
the child, and amusing herself by making
her talk.
What is your name my pretty one !
'Cecllia'
How old arc your
-Four years
Have you papa mammal
& i have no papa; mamma Is there seat
ed upon the grass with my little sister. /
was playing with ZOzo, when that wicked
Francis ran after me to take my doll.
Cecilia said all this with 50 engaging an
air-there was so much expression Ill her
face So much grace in her gestures, that
the ladies were completely dehghted. En-
incline gave her some bJn-bons Tor her lit
tie sister; SldouIa bought sone cakes, and
the happy Cecilia, loalcd with daIntes, ran
To share ner treasures with her mother and
Zozo
TLe sprightlinesS, genteel air, and frank
ness of the nttie one, became the subject
of conversation amongst the ladies.
If | were rch,' SAID Emmeline, q
would take her to bring up
My d,ur child, rcpI,ed Madame Agos
Ia, 1T is not necessary that you shoulC
have fortune to onJ1y that pressure, fol
uO not supp Dse you would raise Cecln;
out ut her present sphere. | feel disposed
To secOuI your Wishes IN ths respect; bu
before gave my consent 1 musC know D
tile mother, 10y euardcter, Is worthy "
the good you would do her. .
Madame Agosta had been pleased will
the idea of Enmoline, for she thought tina
if she took upon herself the expense of rails
inc the little one, she would tecl obliged T.
economize-wouid learn the value OF mon
ey, aud it might serve Us check upon he
inmoderate love of dress and orndnen
against which the too amiable and easy Ii
DIV had striyen in vain.
Madame Agosta was native OF Slcll.
She lived in Palermo IN l726, when
frightful earthquake caused the death
more than six thousand persons. Among
the number were the parents OF the "
young girls we have mentioned above. M
dame Agosta had been intimate with the
mother from her youth, and having !
children of her own, was always pleased
receive those of her friend, and they we
staying with her at her country seat win
, the catastrophe happened. The lady al
her husband had only time to take the tN
children in their arms and fly. Witho
any resources except some jewels, they Ia
tened to the nearest port, from which tn
embarked for France. M. Agosta took
his residence in Paris where he soon G
tanned an honorable situation. His wife {
voted herself to the children OF her unfort
nate FREUD, who were too young to be
ware Of the great loss they had sustained
Madame Agosta, giving way to her lc
for her two adopted daughters, educa
them for fashionable life. She flattel
herself that she would be able to establ
them handsomely. A dancing master '
charged to develope their rising graz
their, fine voices were cultivated, aud
harp was the instrument chosen for th'
as being the most desirable for WON
Bat she only succeeded in giving n warn
OF fashionable education to her proteges /;
besides their not being Of a studious tt
visits, frequent absence in the coun
pleasure parties, and trihng indispositi(
prevented them from taking three -four
of their lessons, 50 that at the age of
teen Emmeline and Sldonia scarcely kl
anything.
Madame Agosta made another great I
take; proud Of the beauty Of her chiidl
she took pleasure in dressing them in
m lst elegant manner. TomaGe their e,
TO her, visitors praised them even in Il
presence vanity AMI coquetry early
tered into their hearts, particularly
that Of Enmaline, to such an extent a
absorb in her every other passion.
The fable Of NArcissus charmed with
own beauty, AMI ioolishly in love with
own face, was realized IN the young
brilliant Il Enmelins, who foun II, one
thy Of comparison with herself The Oh
OF her glrn MS an their make, were
her an important affair size wished t
cits 4 as ~ lei OF taste as we'll Us bea
Ga that account it was she took such I
TO procure a bonnet of new style
which had MT yet been seen. These
cious millinery wares, hidden with
were to be seen first upon the beau
Emmelino. What misfortune if
one copied and disenchanted this exq
toilette, from which she expected sui
ing effect
II sometimes happened that she h
undergo little disappointment in C
quen;e Of Madame Agosta not being
elOugb to gatify al ber deeirea In