Columbia gazette., 1854-03-04

speaking, flushed, and it must be told,
looked angry; but soon laying aside hel
work, went out, got the things off the
line, sprinkled and folded them: then
making fire in the stove, she put her
irons in, and sat down to take few
stitches while they were heating. And
while she is doing SO, will tell you
something about her.
The young man, her brother, belong
ed to rather numerous class. He was
clerk, getting fair salary He lived
at home, paying no regular board, but
helping with the expenses of the family
He dressed, as most clerks do, quite
fashionably; wore the neatcst made shirts
and incest smoothed clothes, all of which
was done by his sister. She took great
pride in the appearance of her brother,
and bestowed more physical labor in
keeping him looking SO nice, than he
did in return for his good salary. But
lately he had become quite exacting, and
ordered her in rather peremptory man
ner and at inconvenient times, to do
such things as he had just asked her.
She had a great deal to do in assisting
her mother with the family, besides at
tending to his wants, and his demands at
times appeared arbitrary. Yet she nev-
or refused him. He is not the only one
whom sisters toll has enabled to make
a better appearance in the world at less
expense than otherwise could have been
done. These extra calls on her labor,
and want of appreciation of them, had
only been made since the acquaintance
with a certain Miss NJ. He was
continually praising her as one of the
most angelic beings in existence, perfect
ly beautiful, with the sweetest little
hand, not broader than three of his fin
gers, and so white and soft; and he would
glance involuntarily at his sisters hand,
which was not so very small and white
and how could it be, when she had to
stand for hours at the ironing table, be-
sides sweeping, busting and making
beds-in fact, leading an active and
useful life. Yet the comparison would
hurt her feelings, and she often wished
be would not talk to her of Miss NJ,
for she knew that if she had done her
duty her hands would not be so very soft
and white, for she had seen her mother
scrubbing down the steps and washing
the yard, although Harry had told her
Miss NJ said her ''Ma had deli
cate health"
The more the young man thought of
Miss III, the less he seemed to
care for Lizzie, and the more he asked
her to do for him. And no matter how
much she toiled, he never had time to
do the slightest favor for her, SO occu-
pied was he with bis courtship to his an
gel.
Now, to let you into the secret, Miss
Nj had something to do with this.
She had learned the character Of this de-
voted sister, and fancied her lover would
expect something like it from his wife.
So she had weaned him from her pur-
posely; and from the very cause that
should have made him think more of her
he actually thought less. He had un-
consciously imbibed the very common,
idea, that soft hands and fine airs are
indispensable in making a lady. His
sister not having either, he felt a little
ashamed of her, Notwithstanding his
knowledge of her sound sense and true
heart. He was too much in love with a
pretty face to reflect if she performed
the duties called for by their circum-
stancs, it would be impossible for his la
dy love to be so.
When at last the young man married
his angel, though Lizzie shed tears at
their separation, her labors certainly were
considerably lightened, and her hands
had better chance Of becoming soft.
She loved her brother, and like true
woman, hoped that he would be very
happy and that his wife would keep him
nice. This had been her especial pride;
and every wife ought TO CONSIDER IL
duty. But when in very little time
she saw him wearing soiled vests and
crumpled bosoms, she very easily knew
to whom the blame belonged. He be-
gan to look frowning, and speak cross
and complaining, and at length was ia
ken very sick. When Lizzie went to
see him, he begged her so hard to stay and
give himsome "real old time nursing"
She now learned that angels get very
tired waiting on "fretful sick people,
who have been "spoiled" by too much
attention at home. They were enough
to 'tkill one with fatigue" And how
many cross looks the sister got while at
tending quietly but constantly to her
brothers. wants. The old brother-look
came back to his face, and he got SO
much better in one day, that Lizzie Of
fered to stay all night with him. And
the angel determined to sit up with her,