The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-08-17

Mis-, Pinchum grew nervous; she thought
we bad better, all of US, come nearer the fire,
viii b had been kindied as the evening came
on. But the object of her special regard was
perfectly comfortable and inapprehensivo; 80
wer., we all, though !, to Oblige Miss Pinchum,
joined her at the fire.
"Do all come and form circle; you don't
seem sociable," persisted Miss Pinchum.
Pray allow US to consult our pleasure" re-
plies Mr.. Richards.
Miss Pinchum Joined the group at the win
dow, and, placing her hand against the sash,
and looking fondly at the gentleman, said
"You know how liable you are to tske cold,
and yet disregard my entreaties;n and, Us she
spoke, she held up her apron botWeen the
faces of the widow and cur host, under pre-
tence Of screening him from the wind.
Presently, a butterfly, having red wings,
spotted with black, balanced itself Gu q wand
of the rosc-bush at the window, and, with en-
exclamation of delight, Mr.. Richards raised
the sash, and broke eff the slender stem on
which it rested
90, Mr.. Richards, what is it }" cried Miss
Pinchum, holding up both hands. "What is
it--a little birds"
"No, madam; it's butterfly replied the
person Intercepted, without raising his eyes to
the lady.
"Mercy on US, how ignorant!n ch;med in
the widow knowed it was o butterfly Pve
seen thousand-them's kind that feed on
danderlions-eome says they don't live but
three days, and scmo says they live six. be-
lieve | am about as much inclined to think
they live three days, as | am to think they live
six.n
"Ah!" replied Mr.. Richards, in tone
which indicated great edifcation, "you are a
close observer of Nature, animate and mani
mate, should think"
"Well, when Pve eeen thing oncet, don't
want to see it twicet to know what it is" re-
piled the widow, casting sidelong look at
Miss Pinchum But that lady was not to be
discouraged from her assumption Of ignorance
and innocence; she had taken fancy that it
was pretty and well pleasing in the eyes OF
her patron, whose dislike Of masculine women
she was aware of. Nowise daunted by the
widows sharp thrust she resumed with-"O,
MIR. Richards, do they live in the West, or do
they come from some other country?"
80, in the West, Of course"
{" How big is the West Mr.. Rchards!"
al believe it's rather an indefinite term, at
present; is it not, Mrs. Wilkinson
"Why, no." replied that lady; it means
Ohio and Kentuck, and the Mississippi wal
ley; aud these ere butterflies live mostly along
water-courses, 50 some says, and some says
they live mostly on dry, billy ground; for my
part think I've seen as many by wster..cour-
ses as have On billy ground"
Chow fer could one fly, Mr.. Richards :"
continued the maiden lady.
REALLY am rot sufficiently naturalist to
warrant guess"
"Some says" answered tho widow, "thcy
can fly as far as a swaller, and some ssys they
can't fly vigorously for my part am as
much inclined to one belief as totber"
"Did ever see one before, Mr.. Richards?"
said Miss Pinchum, looking irresistibly in his
face.
"Really, l am unable to say" =.
GIf had, think would remember it, BE-
E Mp hi6h Ill "a RE5sfs8S S&pS you think
The gentleman was absorbed in contempla-
ton of the insect, and made no reply.
"You are SO naughty, you won't tell me
about butterflies, nor anything" And Miss
Pirchum affected to pout.
MIR. Richards Joined me, for had remained
by the fire, and placing the butterfly in a book,
laid it on my lap, and entered into disgust
ton on butterflies in general.
Miss Pinchum ceased pouting, and telling
me che had something 30 pretty to show me,
led me out of the room.
"a mere pretence," she said, when we were
alone; but thought you would DO glad to
escape little while, that cid widow is such
bore She has got the biggest, ugliest eyes |
ever beheld; but we have to be civil, you
know Mr.. Richards was saying, the other
day, that we must make up our minds to treat
you ell kindly"
would not crafty the busybody so much
as to notice the implied condescension but
felt my soul whitening and excusing myself
walked alone in the garden, wishing was at
home, preparing tea for Chariey-wlsnipg
had never eeen Mr.. Misunderstanding was
dead. and indulging in a thousand wrong
hearted reflections.
With hurried and irregular steps | trodHp
and down the smooth walks, endeayoring to
build up some selfresPect. In all probability,
the raepine weapon Miss Pinchum had used
was of her own invention nevertheless, that
che had rightly inter pretcd the feelings of our
| neighbor. / could rot doubt; and, with tears
trimming up to my eyes, turned toward the
house. firmly resolved that, once more q. homo,
I would never re enter the door where every
thing served to remind me of the jmmeasurable
distance between what | was, and what
would be.
At the gate | was met by our host, who had
come in search of me, and who conducted me
to the tea-table, apparently unobserVant OF my
depression.
The delicacies before me were not at all ap-
petizipg [ had not been used to the silver SER
vice. and the freedom with which Martha
Gourisbed her knife from the main dishes &c
her mouth caused my cheeks to nDgle and my
hand to tremble, albeit the stfabllity Of oul
host was never 80 great. For myself | was
the recipient Of On embarrassing portion Of
ciyilities. inasmuch as | neither understood
how to receive nor recprocate them. would
have gone with DR.. Roberts to his cottage thai
night, right willingly; but the opportunity wal
lost. and, scathed and scorched, | have walked
alone through the ffes of love unrequited.
There is no doubt in my mind but that the
full harvest of affection once yielded up, there
remains little worth the cleaning. A broker
heart may be bound up, but the broken faitf
cannot be made whole, and dlstrust and calcu
lation have their share in all second attach
ments; and the wild, tumultuous tbrobbipg
which once drowned every voice to silence, no
in consonspce with the hearts desires, ar
Gained by one great disappointment to al
everlasting rest.
Blessed is she whose dream is never broker
by the obduracy of fate; blessed is she VIII
mates herself early, with yoke-fellow whoe
steps are likely to keep even with her own, an
who never allows her sober wishes to stray be
yond the hearth or the next market town.
am doubtful if great talent be blessing :
woman-unallied to beauty, it is certainly
misfortune; for what is the hollow admiratio
of the world, while there is no one individu,
drawn cloeer to Us than the rest And me
!. require, in women, qualities quite the contrar
to those which they admire in their own EEK
softness, beauty, dependence; therefore sh
who is capable of standing alone is likely
& stand 30 all her life
I Tho sparripg between the maiden and ii
I widow was curious to witness
0Dnn,t NV dear Mrs Wilkinson don't Il