Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-04-27
Cbaitt Titerature.
From tho NewYorlk Organ.
LAURA A MAITLAND N D.
Br mrs. sANsBURY.
c HAPTER I.

what is termed splendid woman of fashion,
but formal. selfish and
"Heart-bured in the rubbish Of the world"
She was possessed of considerable prop
erty which she inheri ted from her father, and
valued as a means of procuring ease, luxury
and consequence. She spared no expense
in surrounding herself with such. things as
served to panper her own voluptuous taste,
and attract the favor Of heartesS world
But she had one treasure fairer and brighter |
than any her wealth, repeated thousand
fold, could have purchased-one priceless
jewel in the person of Laura, her daughter
and only child, and yet this gift was valued
too little. and appreciated far too lightly.
Mrs. Maitland had gladly availed herself
Of the unnatural custom adopted by the rich
aud fashionable, and for several years while
her child was attended by hired nurses only,
she seemed scarcely conscious of her mater
nal relation. The death of her husband,
however, had softened her for time, and
the little one left to her sole care, received
duo share Of attention and every indul
gence wealth can afford was lavished upon
her. And as the seasons one after another
waited by, unfolding the budding beauty of
her child, the mothers interest increased,
yet IL was an interest prompted by vanity
rather than affection She was grati6ed by
witnessing the admiration her little daughter
excited, and she early surrounded her with
the advantages of an education, intended to
prepare her for a brilliant entrance into
fashionable life, but she could not under
stand the earnest, impulsive, poetic nature
Of Laura, who was thus without compan-
ion to share the pure, warm feelings of her
young heart.
There can hardly be doubt but that the
uninterrupted influence of worldly training
would have warped perhaps destroyed, the
beautiful traits of Laura's early character,
and perverted the noble gifts of her mind.
But an event occurred soon after she COM
pleted her tenth year, which had the effect
to remove her from an uroongenial home
during nearly all the remainder Of her child
hood. Mrs. Maitland took it into her head
TO form n second matrimonial connection,
and she suffered fancy to get the better Of
worldly prudence when she made her choice.
She met Herbert Leigh in a crowded as
sembly, and he became her assiduous atten-
end Of the year, she bestowed upon him her
hand and fortune. During tue hustle pre-
codiug and succeeding the important event
Of her mothers marriage, Laura found her.
self east far into the background and left
comparatively neglected; hence she grew
thoughtful aud pensve, while habit OF re
serve, so unnatural, and SO painful to wit
ness in childhood, seemed fastening upor
her. She courted solitude, and spent many
hours each day alone with her story y-book:
and her unspoken thoughts. She was grad
ually merging into an unreal life, surround
ing herself with the creations of her owr
beautiful fancy. thus paving the way to bite
disappointment and misanthropc gloom
the portion Of gentle, loving natures whel
the actual world is kept too long from view
Laura saw much of the formalty ant
show, the glitter and the glare of the cute
world, but her nature shrank from the hol
low mockery, and there was opened to he
no avenue of intercourse with frank, fire.
spirits who would unfold the workings ofth
human heart which is the true though inne
world. Perhaps a vague sense of these things
and Of her own inability to comprehend AM
direct the mind of her child, had much in
fuence in deciding tie mother to effect
change.
Lauras only confident now, was her fe
male attendant, and she spoke freely to he
only at times when her feelings were NOR
than usually excited. While undressing
one night, several weeks subsequent to he
mother new alliance, she said in tone {
earnest entreaty-
do wish, Nancy, you would persuad
mother not to have me taken down whe
thero is company. do not like to see
many people. 1t makes me tired and sic
would rather stay here all alone in m
ROOM
What strange little girl you are, Mi
Laura, Nancy replied. You ought to liz
all the year in the country, for all you Cal
for is books and birds, aud trees and fioy
ers, and AL such foolish things. Why an
other little girl with such beautiful curl
and bright black eyes, and rosy cheeks wouI
like to be seen all the time. Then yc
have such splendid dresses, and such prett
things TO wear, and the ladies and gentl
men praise your looks, aud say such fr
things to you
don't want them to praise me, sa
Laura, with sudden energy /; her cheek an
eye kindling, and her lip curling scornful
don't want them to say fine things, t
they don't mean what they say. This ey
ming Mrs. Willoughby called me to her al
kissed me, and talked very pretty, and to
mama she deserved great praise for maki
me such sweet, amiable, lady-like gin
then, minute after, when mama had 90
to another part Of the room, heard her s
to some one at her side, Poor Laura Pc
neglected child How shy and awkward $
Is They say her mother always DeglQc
bsr,and fear she will fare worse now II
said more which did not hear, and son
thing about my new papa, too, that was
kind. | wish they would stay away.
wish the spring would come that we co
no back to the country. | am not haI
any more. and shall not be until get bi
whore tbe Towers grow, and the brooks