Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-10-12
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, WEDNESDAY,


ing-mlid, AMI a nurse, in addition to other
domestics. The duties of housekeeper
would be strange ami hateful to her, aud
she would be cheated by every one. That
is MT all; Madame would wish to be seen,
she would 60 the ball, to the theatre, to the
assembly; she would follow every new fash
ion, which would lead her into all sorts of
expenses and pleasures. If her husband,
occupied by business, or tired of these friy-
olous amusements, excused himself from ac-
companying her, madame, rather than re-
main at home, would accept the escort of
the first coxcomb who offered, and by her
levity give rise to reports unfavorabIe to
her reputation
you are very severe. How do you
know she would act thus?'
My dear Belmont, age renders me clear
sighted. Emmeline is coquette, and ex-
cessivel vain. A woman of this charac-
ter loves neither her husband nor children
she only loves herself, and sacrifices every
thing to crafty her desire for admiration.
Then Casimir will not marry Emme-
line ? -..
Never! at least while livev
And her sister?'
'As to her, it is different. She has es-
timable qualities, Notwithstanding her i'm
proper education. know that she is good
and generous-thatshe does good in secret
but she is the youngest, and Madame Agos-
ia would wish to establish Emmeline first
| am sorry for it. [ would rather have ST.
donla without fortune than her sister with
ten thousand livres per annum.'
At this moment servant informed the
gentlemen that NJ ldame Agosta was wait
ing to receive them.
Emmeine lost not a word of this singu-
lar conversation. Tears of vexation we're
flowing from her eyes when her sister came
in search of her. She took good care not
to tell Sidonia what she had heard, and
attributed her tears to the book she had
been reading.
Emelina Was indeed much affected by the
mortlfying reflections of NJ. de Banzac-
CAslmlr WAS, of all their visitors, the one
she was most desrouS to please. SheAoped
that he, at least, did not share his father !
bal opinion of her but short time after,
she had the grief Of learning that NJ de
Bianzac had asked the han of Sldonia, at
the request Of his son. This young sister
OF hers became each day more interesting.
As prettya Us Emmehne, an lmuch less VAIN,
her dress Was rather tasteful than snowy
l sac led a seaeRtarv life accl,nvin9 harsaii
With cecilia, WhOm she Instructed IN sew
in5 aul many kinds Of needlework. Sido
Mia mAle her own dresses and trimmings
, AMI as she Was very skillful, she soon sur
passed the wJrkwomen she had employe,
to aid her in the beginning This charm
ing grl had miu1 too elevated to admit o
e dependence. Sac thought that if dealt
deprived her of her only friend, labo
r would be the sole resource rcmlining to hel
it Was necessary then that she should al
r custom herself to it early by retirement an
d application.
'e La consequence of these reflections, an
Is the kindness of her heart, Sidonia refuse
ia all offers of marriage deyoting herself
being useful, (f it became necessarily
is her friend anu sister, incapable Of helpir
e. themselves, the one by her age, the 9th
e. by her frivollty of character.
u q About this time, NJ Agosta was take
u from his family by sudden death, whiC
plunged his widow in the most bitter grit
AZ 1t was then soon known that these youI
e ladies would have no fortune, and maj
~ persons made themselves merry at their e
d pense. Some blamed Madame Agosta t
u the snowy education she had given thel
% and for their extravaganza in dress; othe
90 dwelt maliclously on the grand airs tn
had assumed when in company with tbs
ed equals, whom it was asserted they had loc
A ed down upon. But the public, unjust
ils first, and full of passions, becomes calm
he time. Then Sldonia received the prai.
ia she merited. When the sad widow of
re- Agosta was sufficiently recovered to atte
ra- to business, she sold her jewels, her sill,
nd plate, and her costly furniture This m'
al ey she expended in purchasing life
me come of twelve hundred francs-a poor
all source for three persons accustomed to Il
1ly ury and expense.
se' They left their superb apartments in
her Chausse DAMN for lodg ging in the \
ell rails, on the seconl floor, and only g;
sne their address to certain of their friends.
me sing lie servant for the kitchen was all Il
ned reserved. Cecilia followed her dear be
tne factress.
Misfortune did not correct Emmelil
IN IL on the contrary, she became morose, i'm
W tient, proul and disdAinful, aud thoug
= ~ by dint of airs and affactations, to dis
~ ~,aO guish herself from the class to which ii
em' change of fortune had reduced her. S
''n- MIA, the amiable Sldonia, simple in
manners, without losing any of her gra
me- appeared to forget altogether the world
the which she had hved, AMI placed herself
ate oIutely at the head of the household D
see sel in calico, she might be seen sweep
rent dusting, washing, an going to the pre
Ives ion market; she Was everywhere, aud
'site ella secon led her ably. NJ other than
was donia waited on Madame Ayosta, vi
lxu- health declined more and more. Tnis a
long ble young lady showed, by her kind at
took tions, how grateful she was for the ben
she had received from her.
son The apartment of Madame Agosta-
tain onlv opa wall furnishna--was t6a ron,
e. whlch they received visitors the next
AMI small room where Silonia and Cecil
,unS bored with some workwomen. The be
! Oy ful Eneline, whose delicate nerves W
cn a have been shocked by the sight of this
VINO ture, remained almost constantly in
cham Ter, reaiing rom4nces or making
SOou toilette.
ThGsdH tho courageous SdoOias b