The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-01-27
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NEW YEAR ANTICiPATlONs.
1Y MRS. JOSEPH II. HANToRo.

Hope on-hope ever by the sudden springing
Ofgreen leaves which the winter hid so long
And by the burnt Of free. trium phant singing,
After cold, silent months the woods among;
And BY the rsnding Of the frosen chains,
Which bound the glorious river Of the plains,
Hope on--hope ever.-Mrs. Hemans.
"Are all things ready for tomorrow =
asked the tenant Of lordly mansion o
her housekeeper.
"Yes, Mrs. Athearn," )" answered the
person addressed, a portly, well-dressed
matron, who bore the honors and re.
sponsibilities of her station with bccom.
ing dignity and professional fidelity
all that you have requested is pre-
pared. The cake is in the closet, ready
for cutting the wine is marked, and
ready to be brought from the cellar
those grapes have arrived, and the fow
ers from the conservatory are all cad,
arranged, and will keep fresh enough
till tomorrow. Is there anything thai
you have not mentioned, that you would
like We have yet time to attend your
pleasure.
Nothing more, Marston," was the
reply, in languid tones, and the house
keeper left the room, and its wealthy
occupant.
The brightly blazing anthracite rem
dered the room as warm as the sweet,
sunny days Of spring, while the ample
arrangements for ventilation permitted
no unbealthincss of atmosphere. The
solar lamp shed soft light around on
the richly-carvcd and stuffed chair, sofa,
and other furniture of the room. A
piano, open, and with music sheets
seattle ed upon it, occupied convenient
place. Books, with costly binding,
cleaning in crimson aud gilt, were
strewed upon the comfortable. The
mantel ornaments and candelabra were
superb Rare and beautiful specimens
of painting and sculptured filled their
appropriate inches, and a few exotics
trom the conservatory bloomed in beauty
beside them.
Mary Athearn, the dweller amid such
splendor, was seated on low ottoman
near the FIRE. She was attired in the
most fashionable style, and the richness
of her velvet dress, and the flashing
gems she wore, were in perfect keeping
with the apartment in which she sat, or
rather crouched, for her head was bent
forward, and leaned upon the arm OF a
large rocking-chair, which stood before
the FIRE.
Mrs. Athearn's face lore the traces
of beauty, but she was pale, and her
whole expression at this time was OF
sadness, and yearning for something
as yet unpossesscd, though wealth suf-
icient for many, many wants we're all
about her.
Must we have wine tomorrow ?"
she murmured. Her beautiful pet
spaniel, hearing her voice, arose from his
place upon the soft rug, and walking
gently toward her, placed his head upon
her lap.
"Marco," said Mrs. Athearn, care
you my only fiieud tonight Oh, that
my husband loved me as you do! Oh,
that he loved me half as well as he loves
the wine-cup! If he knew how [ loved
him still, though he neglccts me SO
much, would he not be here tonight,
Marcos You are only dog, Marco"
and she patted his head affectionately,
I" but you love those that love you.
Alas that another New Years Eve
should come, and find my Alfred still a,
the club. room. l suffered last New
Years, but, oh, it is worse now ! for
then l had the hope that when our little
one was older he would love home bet
ter, and stay with me more, and now l
find he is no different, and I have no
IN IRE to hope" .fi - -r.
She bowed her head still lower, and
the torrent Of her tears attestcd that
however the servants in that princely
abode might enjoy their New Years
Eve, its mistress was indeed unhappy.
High station, and wealthy surroundings,
are not antidotcs for sorrow, else woald
Mary Athearn never have known suffer-
ing for these, from her birth, had been
shared by her.
She wept bitterly for o s.ason, and
then arising, as If from sudden impulse,
she took q silver lamp in her hand, and
proceeded TO the chamber where slept
her only child. Soon she vas bending
over the sleeping infant. In round