The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-08-17

as arbitrary dominion over her face it would have
been as smooth as Parian marble. She had been
practising a kind of eager smile, with which 10
welcome the East India nabob as she had great
faith in first impres. ions. Elmira, who implicitly
followed her aunt's directions, was also much
adorned, but Leila made moderation in the
ing garb she wore in memory of Aunt Ly dia.-
Miss Phillis told her that she had never looked SO
shocking in her life that her eyes were as heavy
as lead, and her complexion as pale as ashes. She
did, indeed. look pale. for she was agtated in the
prospect of meeting SO many kindred she had new
er seen and in the dread that their visit would be
source of domestic trial to her. determined as she
was, not to yield her principles of right to the tyr
amy of her aunt. or the ridicnle of her sister.
He's ceme-Uncle Banks is comet exclaimed
Eimira, who had been watching at the window, al
ternately with her aunt, at least two hours In n
moment the whole household was in a hustle--a
splendid carriage stopped ntsthe door--a fooiman
let down the steps, with as much ceremony as if a
king were about to descend. Aunt Phillis stood
on the threshold, smiling, and courtesying and try
ingto blush, as large red-faced gentleman wrapp
ed 10 blue cloak. slowly alighted and walked up
the fiagstones. breathing audibly at every step
A tall. straight, sandy-haired, young man followed
him, in whom Elmira Immediately discovered a
striking resemblance to the picture of Prince AL
bert, and who dressed in as princeIy style as
our republican costume will allow.
Welcome, thousand Times welcome excaim-
ed Aunt Phillis, sinking lower and lower. while
she extended both her hands the short -breathed
bo ND hor
THANK you-how dye do! Hope to see you
very well, maam,' said Mr.. Banks, as soon as he
recovered his breath sufficiently, shaking her hand
up and down, something in the style of pump
handle. 'Ha-this is my niece, sit? Blooming
peach, glad to see your uncle hey?' catching
Elmira under the chin. and giving her salute that
echoed TO the farthest corner of the ante room.
This is my son Joe-quite man grown-just
like his father-chlp of the OLD block-ha' ---
Leila. who had shrunk back in the first rush of
welcome, now tremblingly approached her uncle.
He was the first of her mothers relatives she had
ever seen, except Aunt Lydiaa her heart throb-
bed with undesirable emotion.
what little baggage is tts!' cried Mr.. Banks,
giving her at the same time smothering embrace.
Just like her mother. This must be Liddy's 8
child
Leila saw tear trembling in the corner of his
clear, gray eye, and she forgot for moment the
roughness of his manners, and the sngularity of
his dialect.
AS soon as they entered the sltting-room, Mr..
Banks sank down into a chair as if quite exhaust
ed, calling for cushion for his feet in very gen
tie tone. Miss Phis sprang TO the so'a. and CATCH
ing up the cushions, placed them under his feet
like lap-wing.
Thank you, ma'am. Excuse me-troubled with
the gout-dreadful twinges-great ingalid-poor
appetite-be better by -and-by.'
Leila thought it strange to man, with such
round, ruddy cheeks and robust frame, complain
hear her aunt declaring that he did indeed look
like an id, and she feared the journey had
been too much for him.
| Cousin Joe seemed as bashful and reserved a:
his father was free and easy, an1 seating hmsel
at respectable distance, cpmmuned with his owr
thoughts. Placed in such a luxurious attitude
Mr. Banks gradually recovered the composure o
his muscles. which had been dreadfully destroyed
nodded and smiled at his nieces, and calling Le
to him, made her sit down ON his knee, and patti 81
her the head like a little child.
Good GIRL said he; 'Liddy told me all sbou
you. Don't be afraid of your uncle. Rough out
side-nothing but the bark-smooth kernel in
side.'
Leila smiled, and heganto think she should lik
her uncle, in spite of his rough outside, but Aun
| Phis not at all pleased that Leila should b'
paced in the foreground of the picture. and draw
ing Elmira towards him, she said, in playful
tone, you must not slight my pet-you dom
know how anxiousy she has watched yonr coming
She has been almost crazy to see you.
Fine girl, too.' cried Mr.. Banks, pirching he
cheeks; good healthy colour. Got any sweet
hearts, hey? Must look sharp-see if they've go
the ch1nk. Can't live without it-os the springs
4 keeps them agoing-hey1'
Y Here he put both hands in his pockets. an
shook with inward laughter for several moments
then opening his mouth, the sound began to rol
out in echoing peals, which Aunt PhillIs though
proper to echo again, more family. and Elmir
fainter still. Leila alone looked grave. and he
gravity seemed to increase Mr.. Banks mlrth,wh
continued to laugh till he was obliged to hold h
own sides.
J Cant helpit said he; never could stop-doe
one good-helps digestion troubled with the dy:
pepsia-obiged to diet.
Leila thought when she saw her uncle a: Il
supper table, complaining of the po'rnes OF his al
petite, yet eating heartily all the time, requiring
dozen things which were not on the table; keepir
the servants running in every direction. and Au'
Phillis' eyes flying from dish to dish in udicro'
perplexity trying to anticipate his wishes, that
was the strangest invalid she ever saw. He W
very particular about eggs. an Indispensable ingr'
dient of all his meals. At first they were too har
then too soft-again, there was crack in the she
through which some drops of water had penetrate
At length he had the boiling water brought to Il
: table, and taking out his watch, cooked them
, his apparent satisfaction. Poor Aunt Phls sa
# without eating a mouthful, endeavoriug to 10
pla,sed thou1L randy to burst with veXatiO