Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-11-30
Cbuire Titrraturr.
Written for the Ohio Farmer.
THE WAY OF THE WORLD.
ny FRANCES DANA GAGE.

ueT nedu uOWH 10 nef sewing anu Lrleu 10
seem and speak undisturbcd, 'where did
you spend last evening? | know you are
your own man now, but still, don't feel
exactly like giving up a mothers watchful
care over you, only because you have turn
cd 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 replace
the thread One could see that there was
something more than the dimness Of forty
years that came between her and the ac-
complishment Of her object.
lIa, ha, mother mine, said fine look
ing well dressed young gentleman, who lay
loungng on the sofa, you con come ii,
that way you have got to turn your nee
die 'tother side up; you are reversing the
order of things. Here, let me thread it
for you. You taught me many long
Year ago, TO thread needles to keep out Of
mischief, ard now perhaps / may put my
knowledge to n better use-helping my
dear mothers failing eyes
Thank you, Harrison, do think !
shall have to get pair of spectacles.'
just let the sewing 60 till / 60 on for
goods in the fall, or set me to threading
needles 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 q but then it would be trouble
for you, and you are always in such hur-
ry. guess | can get pair at Newland' s
that will answer
Harrison was laughing in his sleeves; he
knew the cause of his mothers agitation,
and while he respected and loved her ten
derby, still he knew that the coming con-
yersation would be very likely to end where
it began, except that it would cause some
unpleasant feelings to both, for the time,
therefore, he wound it of again
'And what if it should cause me some
trouble, or even days delay-you were
the light to my eyes for many year; now
it is but fair aud dutiful that | should try
in all ways to be a light to you. Where
father fo-night?
'Ith,uk he has gone down to the Rail-
road meeting Mrs. Grey drew in her
breath for another attack. 4 asked
you
And where is Mary?
She went over to see Maggie Weston.
! was asking
Where IS Will and Ponto Why moth
er you arc very still and lonely here. I've
a good mind to run off too
No, Harrison, don't 60 out tonight,
want to talk with you. Where was you
last night so late believe you were new
er out so late before.
The young man raised himself upon hi
elbow, and for a moment an evasion hun!
upon his tongue, but he had never deceiv
ed his excellent mother, and though he wa
sure he was now going counter to her fee
ings, still he felt conscious of integrity G
purpose, and spurning the evasion, he an
swered promptly, perhaps proudly, Up a
Squire Willoughby's, mother
suspected as much, said Mrs Grey
seeming to breathe more easily; and it wa
to talk with you upon that subject that
sent for you, while all the rest were absent
to come to me. There was time whe
nothing would have given me more pie;
sure than to have known that you were VII
iting Kate Boyd. But now, my son,
really don't seem to me quite right an
proper
'And why not; what has Kate done
render her unworthy of my attention?
seems to me that she is just as pure an
good, as smart, neat and industrious as ST
ever was
TO be sure she is But then you kno
everything is so changed, her father was
we'll oil, and n member of Congress, and v
were not so high up in the world as no
when your acquaintance began
know all that, mother. But when
was boy you taught me other things b
sides threading needles. You taught L
that pride of wealth and place was silly
evincing Il weak mind, that honest power
was respectable, and earnest useful indr
try ever honorable; and have not forg
ten those teachings.'
Il do not wish to take back any of tho
teachings, or to have you forget them;
still can't feel reconciled to your visit
Kate. She does not move in the same {
Gle with us now; our position is entir
changed. You know that Mary is lik
to make an alliance with Charles Prest
the most talented and fashionable you
man in our sity and l feel sure if you ?
sist in visiting Mrs. Willoughby's hi
girl, that his aristocratic relatives will
cline all intercourse with us; so you
that your action in this matter will up
the whole of us
If thought Charles Preston was mi
of such poor stuff as to desert the girl
his heart, because her brother married
girl Of his, replied the young man, excit
ly, Il should be willing to try his met
and save my sister from such an unen,
ble alliance. Better break the wheel
atoms before it is placed under the car, Il
to risk its strength and endanger a scor
lives. So it will be better to break
fragments this much desired family
ance, than to let it be consummated,
thus make shipwreck Of the happiness
household. You call Kate hired (
and 50 she is, regular girl. But wha
thatY Isnot your aristocratic Charles P
ton hired manP
Yes, in one sense as'Agent for
Company he may be said to be hired n
But he is not obliged to work.
ask your pardon mother dear; h
obliged to work or live dependent