The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-04-21

bosom, the standing dickey, the mani>h
air, all were missing, and in their stead
modest attire, neatly and becominely
worn. Her curls had lost their deter
mined twist, and looked softer and CLOS
sier. Her whole demeanor was maiden
ly, therefore lovelier. She said nothing
of woman's rights; Spoke softly, and at
tea, bent deferentially to the aged min
ister's every opinion
Her father looked at me triumphantly
but said nothing; her mother gazed on
her daughter atfectionately, and some
thing between smile and tear sprang
to her eyes.
In the evening Anna was alone with
me, and | ventured to ask her how she
was pleased with the convention.
Don't mention it, she said blushing
deeply | have recovered entirely from
the foolish mania that possessed me
then would you like to hear howi' and
her bright eyes twinkled at me so
curiously.
{ | attended the convention and was
more surprised than edited In spite
of my new philosophy, it shocked me to
hear woman speak out SO boldly, upon
such singular themes before a mixed
assemblage. But had begun to feel
pretty comfortably about it, and was
just sitting down in my hotel to aiIix my
signature to some resolutions, when Il
letter was handed to me from my father
[ had been gone a week ; it was the first
one | had received. 1t brought me
news Of my mothers alarming illness,
and my youngest brothers. attack of
some painful disease My father was
alone in all this trouble.
Il need not say how I hurried home,
forgetful of all rights and privileges
My mother looked at me | thought re-
provingly, and for the first time my
heart told me how much | had neglected
my duty in leaving her to battle with all
the cares of II household My father
walked the floor with little Frankly. /
relieved him of the burthcn,
and the dear little fellow, at the clasp of
a woman's arms, doubtless thinking it
was his mother, pillowed his little head
softly, and sank into sweet sleep
'When I saw him slumbering in his
cradle | left my mother with the nurse, ),
and made hurried visit over the house.
| can never perfectly describe to you
what | saw Our help was green girl
Just from ireland, and, under the tuition
Of my mother was not of any great
service. Not floor was swept; BidiyI
was engaged in cutting red slices from
some half-cooked beef, for dinner, and
my brother Charley washing the remnant
Of the breakfast dishes, poor child, in.
,calding hot water. His face and hands,
his shirt bosom, (buttonless) bis very.
hair, were stained with ashes and SCOT
am sure l could hardly keep from cry
ng at his appearance.
The weeks wash stood about in
.ubs and baskets, Oh chairs and the floor.
The kitchen had a most disagfeeablc !
,dor of overdone and underdone food
Through the open windows the sun
came pouring, upon dust heaps and bits
If cnders, an unwashed hearth and
leplorable looking stove. In the closets
we're dishes of bread, damp and mouldy !;
,reamcrs full of sour milk; pieces of
neat covered with flies; it was sick
,ning.
The parlor was Uttered with p1per
md toys, and furniture white with dust.
10 crown all, company had been there
-one of those weak thoughtlcss kind Of
women, who never know what to do in
uch case but stay the day out, fret
nd worry the sick, eat, drink, sit down
md fold their. hands, and 90 away to
Vonder what kind Of careless folks do
i've in the world.
Her two children hads broken the
ase Of my guitar, and snapped off its
trings, besides quarrelling with my
'aby brother, till he screamed himself
nto fever.
L went to the bedrooms next every
hing was in like disorder my poor
ather had slept what little be bad, on a