New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1853-05-30
condition " and, muttering "Poor Tom" h


up to him but he was making so much noise,
he did not hear him till he said, in tones of deep
sympathy
sc am sincerely sorry for you, wretched Tom,
does she make you do this while she is reading
novels To think you should have ever degen-
eratel into a nursery maid p
A hearty laugh was the first answer to this
speech, and holding the baby up to him, he
shouted
90 Amt he famous fellow, Ned, fit for pres
ilent By Jove Don't you wish you owned
him '''
Ned's face only grew longer, as he said
It's no use trying to hide your unhappiness
from the eyes of true friend, for / can see
through this assumed veil of mirth. You will
never be the man you we're, Tom, and so do not
attempt to deny it,
" No, Ned, shall never be the same fellow |
was before; for, not for anything would l re-
sign my snug little home, my wife, and future
president; at least nothing short of paradise
certainly not for the life Of disconsolate old
bachelor Come in and see Lizzie, and take
some refreshment, and will show you what real
life is
=" Don't try to deceive me, Tom. | understand
it all You are fast in the moose, and can't get
free, and probably endeavor to make the world
think you are happy; rest assured that though
] am unable to do anything to alleviate your de-
plorable situation, yet you have my sympathy
Tom was about to reply, but Ned stopped him
and continued
g Don't seek to delude me, Tom, if you do
every one else. | must go now, for | cannot
bear to witness your frantic attempts to appear
| contented; it wounds me to the heart, and |
would ask you to accompany me to town, but
suppose Lizzie, as you denominate your feminine
tyrant, wishes you to stay at home and tend
| that little popinjay.'
At this moment the door opened, and pair
| Of rogush eyes peeped out, and glad, cheerful
voice called Tom, and Ned, starting as if he had
| been shot, seampered down the path, and made
| for home as if a regiment of vixens were at his
| heels, more than ever convinced Of the wretch
edness of Tom, as a merry peal of laughter
| tioated after him.
He reached home, and on going TO his sitting
room, saw what appeared to be female form,
| seated in mis- easy chair, complacently reading
| his newspaper, who, when she heard him, arose,
and politely coming forward, introduced herself
as his ward. Ned took the extended hand as if
it had been red hot and looked with astonish-
ment at her. This, then, was the invader, the
adversary, the coarse country girl lie tried to
think that she was very disagreeable person,
but when she blushed so prettily, and timidly
apologlzed for intrudng, his manner softened
and before long he was talking very costly with
her, When at last she went up stairs to dress
for dinner, he began as usual to blame himself
Ned Wilson, you are stupid individual, to
allow yourself to be taken in the first thing by
Il woman. She is very pretty, but probably she
wears wig, and paints-to be sure she blushed
and looked innocent, but nevertheless she may
be as artful US the rest of them; they under
stand these sort OF things and can blush, laugh,
cry, and call whole artillery of tears and sighs
to bear upon the feelings of poor defenceless
: masculine, al any moment; but am too deep
| Tor the whole of them, and will show to the
\ q thorh 10 ot 1nou *1nt,
proof against woman's artifce.'
l year passed away, and somehow Ned ha(
got accustomed to seeing the sweet ia ce of hi,
ward at the table, and his old slippers had mys.
teriously disappeared, and new ones came in
their place, and he never read the paper with
any comfort unless the neat little figure of Mary
sat at her work stand and the jokes lost their
point unless her silvery laugh mingled with his
and finally, though he did not know it, he could
J no more have done without her than his sup
per; and by degrees he had left the club and
though it was very singular, it was always " too
cold,' or =" too hot or '' too windy" or he was
too tired to 60 out evenings, though of course
he did not stay at home on her account
One day he sat in his counting room, and his
, head clerk entered, and respectfully asked him
: if he could spare him few moments as he had
something tosay of great Importance
, Ned signfed that he was at leisure, and the
clerk, in evident embarrassment, began
- J suppose you nave observed my growing
partiality for your lovely ward, and with youI
3 permission wish TO cultivate her acquaintance
in hopes that some future day may gain hel
esteem, and perhaps more am not worthy o
, her | know, but"
t He would have continued, but was stopped BY
l Wilson, who Indignantly started from his chair
and taking him by the collar, put him out ant
l selling his hat in violent rage, started pos
! haste for home, leaving that astonished indvd
| unl tho clark lnoEpp oft him Nit oi,
that expressed first resentment, then pity ant
. concern, as if he doubted the sanity of his EN-
| ployer
He reached home, and pulling the bell till tn,
| wire snapped, summoned Mary, who, when sh,
! entered, looked almost with fear at him, for h,
8 scowled at her, and then shouted,
a . So, my young lady, you have. all unknown
to me, been billing and cooling with that bare
y faced, impertnent clerk Don't say word =
he thundered as she tried to speak, g for won
+ believe it if you do !"
Mary burst into tears, and hastily retreate,
;, up stairs, and Ned after walking at furiou
d rate up and down the room for short time, be
= gan to cool down, and abuse himself as usual
e '' am dolt, and | know it What righ
: have to be in rage because Mary chooses t
a like the clerk, and he loves her back
IS verify believe am in love with her myself an
she can never care for such a bear as | am
/ Oh dear, she could not like me, when | hay
almost broken her dear little heart with m,
h cruelty | will show my devotion, and make
u martyr of myself by way of atonement, thougI
IT | know shall hang myself, or throw myself int
3 the first duck-pond | come across; perhaps j
II will be better to endure in silence, and dealt
e will soon terminate my sufierings, for am be
e ginning 10 pine away already" he glanced a
the almost aldermanic proportions reflected i
II the glass, and at his round red face and sighin
n like a northeast hurricane, he added, Sc It's al
S, inward, and the fever burns there" and h
struck his hand on that portion of his expansiy
N chest supposed to contain the heart.
ID lie rang for Mary again, and she came down
r but looked pale, and her eyes Were slight
III SWOLLEN with weeping, and he felt more tina
II ever indignant at himself for making her uIl
= happy. lie kindly took her hand, and leadin
ID her TO seat on the sofa, said, in very gentlt
humble tones
r "Forgve me, Mary, for my rudeness jus
ST now and to show how sorry feel, freely an
fully give my consent for you to marry as man
4, clerks as you please, only don't break my hear
to by bringing him here, for don't know what
u, might do-perhaps something desperate; an
s you could not blame me for annlilating a
er army of them when they come to see you, an
lie you welcome them, and leave me to waste ava
and die in hopeless despair, for | know shall
IL and mean to purchase an interest in sem
N cemetery, preparatory to your wedding, for
nt IL, H..