The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-03-03
For the National Era.
WILL RID AND LINEEY
BY ALICE CAREY.

BY ALICE CAREY
When the neighbors were done with, and the
weather had been considered, Mrs. Hubert
never failed, as she arose to wind the clock, to
speak of Willard and then, at least, Linney
was an attentive listener. al wish he was
here, poor boy.n she was accustomed to Say
as though he suffered all the deprivation, while
he was enjoying books and pleasant society and
good dinners, and she Jared frugally and work
ed hard that he might enjoy. Any one else
could see this; but how should Mrs Hubert!
She was Wizards mother.
And night after night the crickets hoped
across the hearth Familiarity, and told their old
story and Linney worked by the freight, and
thought and thought Aud this was the shadow
of her dreams A little white cottage, with blue
morning-glories all over the porch; trumpet
flowers and svses brisrs yelling the windows;
. cool, deep well at the door; herself making
the tee tbsro, and sousssimes parting away the
vines TO see, across the fields, If Willard was
coming from his work. For in this dream
Willard was but a farmer, looking and talking
just as he did when they parted, and not a man
Of books and leisure; for she could not fancy
how anything could change him-she knew she
! did not wish him to be different. Sometimes
she amused herself by fancies Of what would
be in the next letter for she so soon grew ia
miliar with the contents of the first one that
there was no need to remove it any more from
the lid of the Bible. At length the time of an
expected letter came round again; and now
the road was Frozen and the trees were all
bare--the stage coach came not till after night
fall, but Linney would not stay away. All the
day she had been singing at her work so blithe-
| L. tbak u,,lb
have not seen you so gay since Willard left us,
poor boy"
Linney did not feel the frozen ground be-
meath her feet as she walked, nor the bitter air
as it blew against her face and bosom she
walked fast and was soon at the end of her
| little journey. About the red.hot stove were
gathered dozen men, chewing and smoking,
and debating their little interests in tones as
loud and earnest as though they were discuss
ing the affairs of the nation. With eyes mod
estly downcast from the earthen Jars and shi-
ming delft and gay prints that adorned the
shelves, she made her way to the post Office,
and received letter. Of course, it was from
| Willard, and she retired without so much as
glancng at it nor did she do so till she was
passing the tavern lamp quarter of mile,
| perhaps on her homeward way What was
her surprise, her disappointment, on seeing that
though it was indeed from Willard it was not
| for her, but his father. For q moment all was
blank and chill; but hope will flutter long be-
| fore it dies, and in moment she had turned
and was retracing her steps-there must be a
letter for her, which had been overlooked.
She did not return, however, without hest
fancy and shame, for in her childish simplicity
she fancied all would know the thoughts and
hope that were in her heart. "Will you please
look again, sir she said and her voice was
tremulous; 81 expected letter tonight"
7 The man turned the letters hastily, very care
lessly she thought and said, as he replaced
them, " We don't always get all we expect, as
you will find if you live long enough"
| When she reached the door, tears blinded
her eyes 30 much that she did not see who the
gentleman was that passed in at the same mo-
and the sleek, proud animal that stamped on
the pavement so impatiently She had only
proceeded a short distance, when the hoot-
strokes and the nortng admonished her to
turn aside. | suppose, proud fellow, he would
run over me if | did not, she thought, and
though she continued would not much care
| if he did she turned aside and as she did 80,
o low, kindly voice gave the salutatiOn Of the
evening" and at the same time, the impatient
Brock curved his neck proudly to the tighten
| ing rein, and George Weldon was Offering his
hand to assist her into the carriage.
"Thank you Mr. Welden," she replied, cold
ly, but prefer walking"
"Will you not oblige me by accepting part
| of the seat" he said, warmly and earnestly, 81
am going directly to your house.
She could not now decline without positive
- nlia1 hut fhar
ciously.
Linney could not but feel her prejudice melt
ing under the warmth of real kindness; and
as he carefully wrapt the buffalo robe about
her feet and drove slowly lest she was tmid
about fast driving, she wished in her heart that
Willard could see her; and though she didn't
care straw about riding in George Welden's
carriage, he would be piqued, she knew.
When he spoke of Willard, it was 20 kindly
and generously, that Lnney could not but re-
member how differently Willard had always
spoken of him.
Warm and red shone the lights through
the homestead windows; the supper table was
spread and Mrs. Hubert busting about, that
all might be warm and nice when Linney came.
Mr. Hubert put on his spectacles, snuhed
the candle, and opened the letter, though the
wife declared she could not have the biscuits
wait another minute, in proof Of which asser-
ton she continued "fll the tea, Malinda"
The girls face glowcd as she obeyed, for not
twice before had the good woman said Malin-
da and it troubled the fountain that pride had
well nigh stilled.
In a moment Mrs. Hubert had added
dish of preserves to the previous preparations,
and Mr.. Weldon was dsburtheniDg himself
from furs and overcoats, in compliance with
an invitation to tea
"Come, come, father" said Mrs Hubert as
the rest were seated but he only snuffed the
candle, and resumed the reading. "Well, if
you will read" she continued, with some as
perity in her tone, "do tell ne whether he is
dead or alive"
Mr.. Hubert placed the candle between him
self and the letter, and read aloud, spelling his
way, and pausng between every word.
BE- 80, kind, as TO- present. my, dutiful, re-
CARDS, to my, mother; and, say, To Linney,
dear, girl, that have, SO, many, calls on, my,
time, for, the, few, leisure moments, l. get,
from, study, thaeI, could, not, write her, this,
month. though, |, very, much, wished, to do so.
|. shall, hope to hear, from her, az, usual and,
ask. her, if, you, please. to, tell me, il, she, de-
votes much, time, to the, book, l. gave, her. |
And that is ALL" said Mr. Hubert, looking
proud and pleased he says to you women |
folks"-
@Tut, tut" answered the wife, 7" that is
enough, without it was better"
Linney's face grew damp and pale and |
George Hubert bit his lip, and made some in
appropriate remark about shooting, Of which |
be was very fond.
The efforts to rally were Intellectual, all round
and after some awkward and constrained con-
yersation, Mr. Weldon took leave, saying to
Linney as he did 70, "You are fond OF game,
you say"
@YcsD she answered, though she had not
previously said 30.
And he added, 81 will have the pleasure Of
preseoting the first brace Of woodcocks have
a A.. h~;a, dnxgnu