Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-08-02
LITERARY MISCELLANY.
CHAP. III - Confined.

myself for having trespassed on his moro sa-
cred privilege, for | was too profoundly sor-
rowfui to be easily moved even by the presence
and words Of the man who from the first had
taken strange hold of my imagination ana
turning in the direction indicated, found
grassy basin partly filed with clear rain water
NV abIutions finished tied on my hood, and
was about retracing my steps when the gen.
tleman joined me, begging leave TO conduct me
by more direct route ! thanked MN, ana
we walked along tho slope together. AS we
did So he pointed out the localities OF various
alterations and improvements he proposed to
make, asking my opinion Of his plans which
he said were the growth Of very slight expert
ences: and he related some very amusing ac
counts Of the mishaps his want OF agricultu-
raj knowledge occasioned him. | referred him
to Mrs. Wilkinson, as the ablest counsel in
affairs of difficulty that knew Of and, from
the serious opening, cur conversation flowed
into q light and lively vein. Many times he
turned aside from the direct path, to point out
to me some beauty of the landscape, or some
field to which he designed applying new
mode Of cultivation, 80 that it was quite dark
when we reached the white house Miss
Pinchum stood on the porch her arms folded
and her brows knit, evidently waiting ono OF
the parties befoye her.
atReally, Mr.. Richards she exclaimed, IS
we drew near, How yol do try my patience,
Supper waiting?' he asked, and continued
Give us the pleasure of drinking tea with you,
Miss Halstead, and will then sec you home,
If Won will allow me- Yes, little girl joined
Miss Pinchum, I've shall be glad to have you;
we are 30 lonesome, Harry and !, since the
death Of our little boy Miss Pinchum,' re-
sponded Mr.. Richards, in evident displeasure,
speak in the singular number, # you please,
And turning to me, renewed cordially his PROF,
fer of hospitality. declined, little coidiy !
think, and, assuring him that was quite lnde-
pendent Of his further services, took my lone
some way home.
81 had been pleased, and the memory OF his
forgetfuIness of me was softened, it may be, by
his civilites but my pride, as great as his,
would not suffer me voluntarily to become his
guest.
aCharley was not come home-Martha was
sick with headache, for the need, she said, OF
something suited to her appetite Hetty was
worn out with doing nothing, but afraid to
peep or move the wing lest she should bring
down on herself her mother's displeasure; and
Doke, seated at the top of the accustomed
pole, was believing for his supper, no indica-
tions Of which had yet RECALLED his eyes. In
vain he had threatened to swallow stones, and
put an end to his life--in vain threatened TO
kill Martha's COW. She was not to be moved,
and sat placidly with her head on her hand,
threaten and below as he would. He ought
to endure what she could, she said-they were
sufferers together. Well Mary said my fa-
ther, / am glad you are come; your mother
Is right sick ! and, leading me to one side, no
told me she thought she could eat some tea
biscuits; and if would make them, he would
buy me new dress the first time he went to
town.
81 said I would make the biscuits, aside from
the promise; but | wish. father said, you
had never seen that womann He looked care
fully about him, and, feeling safe, replied In q
whisper, Il wish 50 too'
a0sher homes are cheerful, thought /; why
may not ours be? For once, will exert all the
power have With strong effort put down
the repellant feeling, and, with more seeming
interest than felt, and laying my hand on
her head, said, Mother, | am sorry you are
sick; cup of tea will revive you, hope
She shook off my hand az though it affected
her disagreeably, and answered, that nothing
would do her any good, that she could have.
a'Dont be disbeartened, continued, though,
for myself, was thoroughly so; and calling
Doke TO replenish the fire, set about the bis
cuit-making, singing some pleasant tune the
while.
Happening to look up from my work saw
my father gesticulating in evident agony. !
was at . loss for solution at first, but soon
discovered that Martha was pressing her hands
to her forehead, Is though to prevent il from
breaking.
aMy music disturbs you said ! pray for
give me-
HsNo, child; sing on, If you like she said
Il shall soon get used to it, didn't sing any
more, but tried to keep up my tagging courage
by talking with Doke, who stood beside the
table, Watching my moulding Of the biscuits,
as intently as the cat watches the mouse.
How many do you think you shall require,
Doke,' asked, sone or twop
asOne or two bushels you mean he replied.
Il wish just had all you're making-they're
such good stuff
al laurhingly assured him that he should
certainly be Satisfied, for that was providing
with liberal hand. Don't b'lieve it, he an
swcred grinning horrible grin Of satisfaction
and having punched the fire to expedite the
baking. he raised himself on tiptoe, and whis-
pered he was glad Mrs. Halstead was III, for
that he should get her share Of the biscuits and
his own too. For shame, said |, but be was
q stranger TO that feeling, and grinning and
chewing at nothing, In anticipation Of the bis
cults, he slipt out OF the room. When he re-
turned, ] saw that he had been exchanging bis
own coat for an old one Of Charley's; and on
inquiring into the strange procedure, he replied,
We'll, reckon mine amt big enough, when we
have good stuff
al lighted two candles, an extravaganza
with Us, used the best table-linep, the prettiest
dishes, and all the plate We had, and in oil
ways made the supper as enticing as possible
Come, notherl' | called, when all was
ready, placing the easy chair for her, but she
sat oblivious; and when | repeated my invita-
ton little louder, she answered she had no
occasion for mouthfnl enumerated the
nice variety had prepared, but she didn't feel
- If she cosld taste Of anything
asMsy be was mistaken said my father,
in fearful tone; 9but thought you said you
should like some tea biscuits' and he softly
drew her chair TO the table
uTl.,k Al xvorfdx,t 10 Martha ueifhcr Ate