The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-04-14
NO. 1913.

| being able TO offer more than an equivalent for
the salary. He saw, too, that the Office Of
teacher, by leaving him many hours Of the dsy
and the whole of Saturdays and holydays free,
would afford ample leisure for tho pursuit Of
his legal studies
| he called for writing materials and imme-
dlately wrote and mailed a letter of applica-
ton. he was scarcely anxious about the re-
sult-only little interested to know whether
he should get the situation, and what sort of a
one it would be, when it was got whether it
would be the place of assistant in public
academy, or that Of tutor in a private family
also whether his temporary home should be in
the cold North or the sunny South, the popu-
lous East or the sparsely-settled West, or ia
the indefinite country between them lastly,
with what sort OF people he should find him.
self
| But upon the whole, he scarcely hoped to
get response to his application, as the paper
containing the advertisement was several DAYS
old when he first saw it. Therefore. when DAYS
passed into weeks, and weeks became mouth.
he gave up oil hope of obtaining an answe:
without much disappointment
At length-as generally happens after ex-
pectation sickens and dies, and is buried--the
uniooked-for letter arrived. 1t contained
proposition from Colonel Ashley, Of Virgins,
to engage MIR. Sutherland as private tutor, to
prepare his two younger sons for the univer-
sity, Offering IN remuneration a very liberal
salary, and requesting, in the event of Mr
Sutherlands acceptance that he would reply
promptly, and follow his own letter in person
as soon as possible.
Mark sat down and wrote at once, CLOSING
the contract, and promising to be at Ashley
by the first of March.
| Ii was now near the last Of February. He
sold his horse, paid his bill at the hotel, and,
| having money enough remaining to take him
| to Virginia, left the same afternoon by the
steamboat up the river, and met the stage at
Wheeling. After two or three days travel
ling upon the turnpike road through the most
sublime and beautiful mountain and valley
scenery in tho world, he arrived late one even
ing, at the little hamlet of Ashley, situated in
wild and picturesque gap of the Blue Ridge.
Here, at the little inn he ordered supper,
| and purposed to spend the night But he had
scarcely entered the little bedroom allotted to
him, with the intention of refreshing himself
with additions and change of dress before
the head of the host was put through the door
and the information given that Col. Ashley's
carriage had come to meet Mr.. Sutherland, and
was waiting below He finished his toilet,
however, before leaving his room.
He found the little parlor occupied by two
boys Of about thirteen and fifteen years Of age,
disputing the possession of pistol, which, in
the wrestle that ensucd went off-harmlessly.
And before Mark could repfovo them for their
imprudence, they came to meet him. The elder
lad, cap in hand, inquired, respectfully
"Are you Mr. Sutherland, sr?n
eyes, my son have you business with mot"
Father has sent the carriage for you, sir
| that is all. My name is Henry-he's Richard
ST. Gerald, you know, is in Washington. He
is in Congress, you know, and has made O
great speech--father says one Of the greatest
speeches that has been made since"--
ooh, sho! He's great deal older than we
| are, MIR. Sutherland and he's only our half.
brother, besides You don't know everything"
said the younger boy Richard, addressing the
last phrase accompanied by punch in the
side, to his brother.
~ am happy to meet with You, Hsnry--how
do you do, Richards" said Mr.. Sutherland,
giving a hand to each of the boys.
"And 80" he added smiling TO himself and
at them "this new star of the Capitol-this
eloquent and admired st. Gerald Ashley--is q
relative Of yours"
"Our brother" said Henry.
"Our half brother amended Richard, fl.
voring his senior with another malicious dig in
tho ribs
Hereupon another little scufile ensued, which
Mr. Sutherland ended, by saying
Come-shall we go on to Ashley Hall, or
will you take supper first, here with me?"
"Take supper first here, with you,n assent.
ed the boys, who could have been tempted by
nothing but the novelty to forego their fathers
sumptuous upper-table for this poor tavern
meal
| at was kind to come and meet me. But
how did yoN guess that should arrive this
EVENING""
"Oh, we did not guess. Father thought it
was about time you should come, and he sent
| the carriage and intended to send it every
stage-day until you did come, or write OF some
thing. Father would have come himself only
he staid home to read st. Geralds great
speech"
"St Gerald was evidently the hero of
Henry's worship.
While they supped, their horses were fed
and watered And half an hour afterward
Mr.. Sutherland and his pupils entered the car
rage, and were driven to Ashley Hall. II was
quite dark when the carriage drew up before
the door Of large, rumbling old building Of red
sandstone, scarcely to be distinguished from
the irregular masses Of rocks rising behind and
around It. A bright light illumined the hall,
where the travellers were received by negro
man in waiting who would have conducted
them into drawing-room on the left, but that
Henry and Richard, breaking violently forward,
threw open the door upon the right exeam-
ing
Fathers in here He is come, father We
f6And him at the village"
A genial wood fire blnzed and cracked In
the WIDE old-fashioned chimney Of this room
and near it, in IN easy-chair beside o candle.
stand sat on old gentleman, engaged in read.
ing newspaper. No whit disturbed by the
boisterous onslaught Of the boys, he calmly
laid aside his paper and stood up--an undcI-
sized, attenuated old man, with thin, flushed
face, and head Of hair as white and soft as
cottonwood. He stood, slightly trembling with
partial paralysis, but received Mr. Sutherland
with the fine courtesy Of an old-school gentle.
man.
The boys hurried about their own business.
The man-servant placed an armchair for
Mr.. Sutherland And when the latter was
fairly seated the old gentleman resumed his
own seat, and inquired whether his guest had
supped. Being answered in the affirmative, he
nevertheless ordered refreshments to DO served
there.
A stand, with wine, sandwiches, cake, and
fruit was placed between them; and while
they discussed these, the old gentleman, In an
Indifferent sort Of manner, said, "By the way,
Mr.. Sutherland, have you seen Mondays pa
per- with the debate on the TARIFF Here it Is;
take it-look over it. Never mind me, would
prefer that you should see 1t now. II anything
strikes you, just read it aloud, will youl"
Mark took the paper, but found the ode
bate" to be all on one SIDE and in the mouth
Of one individual, to wit--the Hon. st. Gerald
Ashley Of Virginia He ran his eye over it,
the old man lingering cheese and crackers and
pretending to eat, not to interrupt him. "Do
you wish me to read this debate aloud, sir 90
asked Marx, benevolsntly inclined to indulge
the aged fathers pride.