The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-10-20
For the National Era.
A DIARY.
BY MARTHA RUSSELL.
lCoNTINUED.l


Dec. 24th.-He came in, the good Doctor,
with face so sad that almost repented of
nv plotted mischief He "pished" and "pshaw-
ed" at the Eran which he took from the ia
BILE, and seemed in anything but peacable,
Christian temper. At last, ] said
you needn't look 80 solemn, Doctor. |
know ali about it,"
The deuce you do" his face evidently
frightening "Who could have told youf"
ooh, It's an age of wonders perhaps the
rapping spirits Of course, should not be left
long in ignorance of what 80 nearly concerns
me'
True" and he seated himself by my side,
and looked at me long and earnestly, before be
added. Then you don't care for this, child? D
Yes, indeed, very much. But might care
little more intelligently, if only knew pre-
CiSely what the great this is"
why, you said you dad know"
so | do, that you and Mrs. G. are plotting
some Christmas surprise for me- heard you
in the hall-something to add to earth's sun
light, or it would not be you, kind friend )"
and my eyes filed with tears at the thought of
ali owed them
Sunlight | wish it was Such a miserable
earth as this is filled with all manner of ras
calides. / have tried to make the best of it
until am tired, and the sooner it's burned up
the better!" And he got up and gave the
Grestick kick The insists on my sitting by
wood fire) that sent q shower of sparks up the
chimney, as q preliminary, | suppose, to the
grand conhagration he deemed so desirable
Seeing he was seriously disturbed about
something, repressed the Jest that rose to my
lips and waited his next words in silence.
81 feel just as if | could fight, Bessie" he
said at length, settling himself in the chair by
my side. IL am angry at myself and every
body else, yourself included, for have some
thing to say to you, and you don't help me a
btu
"TO me-" | said, rather startled "What
isits"
1t is what you will deem an impairment
question; but tell me- child" he went on very
seriously taking my hands in his, has Harold
l. ever been to you aught but friend?-
ever by word or glance sought to win your
love?"
"Doctor G., will you tell me why am to
answer this question--which-wbi -
Does not concern me, you would say. Can
you not trust me this far, child, without rea-
son." he asked. I" said by word or glance y
he added seeing me still hesitate.
Oh words of hooking rsillery, high oour-
sion begun when that of words ended, how
ye stood out from the past but not one which
might not have fallen from a brothers lip or
eye! And so told the Doctor, and more, how
That had met him at period when my
moral and Intellectual being we're struggling
ior some wider development than contented
those around me how he had kindly slacken-
cd his own swift pace in the march of progres IS,
10 aid my stumbling steps how he had been
teacher, friend, master, but nothing more and
an earnest, Thank God !" was the reply.
But may | know,n added, after q mo-
thing?p
he told me himself that he had boarded
Win your mother more than a year; and know
ing you both, could not well conceive how it
could be otherwise besides -
What, Doctor ~
81 would not say iohat, were it not needed to
explain my impertinenoe You were deIirous
when you were i'll, and -
saw it all and buried my burning face in
my hands while tears of womanly pride rush.
ed to my eyes.
In a moment or two he gently raised my
mead, as he said Forgive me, Bessie 1t was
but the raving of delrium-I am convinced |
wouldn't have distressed you 30 for lees res-
SOM
What is that reason ~ asked, looking
nun once more firmly in the face.
harOld T. is about to marry the niece of
Surge A. the widow N. have it on what
oeneVe good authority and could not bear
70 think that he who had stood 10 me in the
Au Vi the children God has denied me, was
itisp ''0Ne"
Drew my hand from his, that he might not
marx the throbbing pulse, and, after moments
silence, asked
n This Mrs ~ What kind Of q woman is she
one worthy Of Harold 7. -
les, rich, and vain, and ambitious /" he
replied, getting up and kicking the fire as if
Ie were furnishing Harold by proxy. al won
ACT could be 40 angry when Mr.. X. expressed
surprise that che should stoop to himln'
l. nat is no answer to my question, Doctor
"she worthy of him.n
b., Bessie" he said, again sitting down, al
Ssu got plan into my head which this news
sadly disturbed, and, like most positive
a o" When they zee their schemes thwarted,
ni n o.oss and ill-tempered. Perhaps would
10y 'ne part of Providence too much, and 80
bn. .n,nded Of my weakness. Is she worthy
ma, Sii me, what should Harold's wife be
unsalsa mat" ] said, pointing to drift of
word ~, snow without" pure in thought,
the I'm. ana deed, yielding to him like that to
bes;d. OF the sun, but firm TO all the world
potb;n one must DO all the world to him. or
u "a ana Harriet N. IL likelier &, be someth;no
h., 81 ale ~or'd than to her husband unless
re,I~s ."n WI summation be much abated ~ he
'0pted drily. al He must be attr.cs"d -, h NC
eatn and the connection the mat~h IL. - ' sa
~ra MN. Her uncle has offered him . M.
,asrshp in his Office, hear. never viii =.
s slGN to judge character again 20 homes, 40
;srehant as he seemed. He came here to in
And after you twice before he left the ctv. |
Of uo ahen he turned away his face ~ spoke
on Ju' danger, thought--but twas all sham
BE- "e has grown scheming betimes He will |
was 'nGld he ask after me at all What
boo, MN, what could ! give him this
and IL rsu,asveloped girl, who had caught life
AnSS >. from his teachings.
comnI. .nea ! thought Of the beautiful and &C.
Inn ,ha Mrs of all she could do for
seal,b wear, weary struggles which her position and
ever s,, might save him--those struggles which
aon,I attend s the first years Of a door profes
M @ mans hfe-and spoke Of this to Doc. |
sc.n ns' s that he faced them like a man than
mercenary marriagelD thapdered