The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-09-21
THE WAY OF THE WORLD
BY FRANCES DANA GAGE.

.-sg.HARRIsoN,' said Mrs. Grey, and she
held her head down to her sewing and tried
to seem and speak uhdisturbed, where did
you spend last evening? know you are
your own man now, but still dom feel ex.
actly like giving up mothers watchiul
care over you, only because you have
turned that important career-twenty-
one.'
Mrs.. Grey's fingers twitched and the
thread slipped from the eye OF her needle
and she brought it up between her and the
lamp and made effort after effort to re
place the thread. One could see tha,
there was something more than the dim
ness OF forty years that came between her
and the accomplishment of her object.
lila, ha, mother,' said fine looking,
well dressed young gentleman, who lay on
the sofa, you can't come 1t, that way; you
have got to turn your needle 'tolher side
up; you are reversing the order of things.
Here let me thread needles to keep me oul
of mischief, and now, perhaps, | may pu,
my knowledge to better use-helping my
good mothers failing eyes
Thank you, Harrison; do think | shall
have to get pair Of spectacles.'
Just let the sewing alone till go on for
goods in the fall, or set me threading n need-
les for you till then, and I'll bring you the
best pair the city affords
That will be very nice, to be sure, said
the agitated mother, scarce needing what
she said; but then it would be trouble
for you, and you are always in such q
hurry. Isuppose can get a pair at New
lands that will answer
Harrison was laughing in his sleeve; he
knew the cause of his mothers agitation
and while he respected and loved her ten
derly, still he knew that the coming con-
,versation would be very likely to end where
it began except that it would cause some
unpleasant feelings TO both; for the time
therefore. he diverted it again
And what if it should cause me Little
trouble, or even a days delay-you were
the light to my eyes for many year; nov
il is but fair and dutiiul that | should try
in all ways to be light to you.-Where
is father, tonight
esI think he has gone down TO the rail
road meeting Mrs. Grey drew in her
breath for another attack. Il asked you
And where is Mary?'
sShe went over to see Maggie Weston
4 vas asking'
Where is Will and Ponto? Why moth.
,er you are very still and lonely here. I've
. good mind to run off too.'
fsNo, Harrison. don't go out o-night-l
want to talk to you. Where were you last
night so late; believe you were never out
20 late before
The young man raised himself upon his
elbow, and for moment evasion hung
upon his tongue; but he had never deceiv'
Cd his excellent mother, and though he
was sure he was now going counter to hel
feelings. still he felt conscious of integrity
OF purpose and spurning the evasion he
answered promptly, perhaps proudly
up at Squire Willoughby's, mother
= 4 suspected as much,' said Mrs. Grey
.seeming to breathe more easily. .sand il
.sas to talk with you upon that subject thai
II sent for you, while all the rest were abb
sent, 10 come to me. There was time
.awhen nothing would have given me more
pleasure than to have known that you wa.
visiting Kate Boyd But now, my son, i
really don't appear to me quite right ant
proper.
And why not; what has Kate done tt
render her unworthy Of my attention?
seems to me that she is just as pure ant
good; as smart, neat and industrious a
she ever was
ITO be sure, she is. But then you know
every thing is so changed; her father wa
so well off. and member Of Congress
and we were not so high up in the worl'
,as now, when your acquaintance began.
Il know all that, mother. But when
was boy You taught me other things be
sides threading needles. You taught m
that pride of wealth and place, was silly
evinciEg weak mind; that honest power
" was respectable, and earnest, usefu
industry. ever honorable; and ! have nc
forgotten those early teachings.'
4 do not wish to take back any part q