Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-06-07
gaNics' Department
JUNE z.
Loves Yearning.
BY MRS. NJ. A. DENIsoN.

~ y ~ UtANNtuA elGnts GACtdhulCu
fashionably dressed woman, sinking Ian
guidly into a seat, and smoothing the folds
Of her thick satin.
Beautiful, but exceedingly sad,' replied
another, whose lip trembled, and in whose
eyes stood unrestrsined tears the little
darlings are motherless.'
tYes, but how we'll they are provided
for just look at that sweet little thing
with the auburn curles. Isn't she pretty 2
Pretty she was, indeed nay, beautiful,
with her little round limbs full of dimples
the short frock hanging archly over the
plump ankles. A sight worth seeing was
that band Of motherless children. There
was one they called Matty, with bright
crisp curls and dancing eyes-another who
answered to the name of Lilly, with eyes
as blue as heaven, and brow as fair as I'M
stained snow. Some were plain and slckly,
but most had the rosy glow-the smile un-
conscious, yet happy, of coniding infancy.
MANY years ago. said Mrs. Eastman,
turning TO the matron, { ] promised a dear
friend that, in the event Of her death, if
she leh daughters, they should be taken to
nay heart and home. She was unfortunate
after that, / heard though [ lost sight of
her-and died miscrably poor. l traced
her to this city, and here they tell nae is
her only child-a girl
fThe nameT asked the matron.
"A plain one-Mary Harson hermoth-
er was beautiful she added, running her
eye along the group, and among the spark
ling faces and curly heads.
Bring Mary Harson down. said the
matron to an assistant and Mrs. Eastman,
startled from her composure, uttered an ex-
clamation of surprise az the child entered.
She. was a little, odd figure, with large
eyes almost preternaturally bright, thin in
form, neither elastic in limb nor rosy of
cheek. She came forward with painful
timidity, and laid that small, shrunken
hand in the gloved hand Of the lady, hold
ing it there as lift were not a part of her
solf-but something she was obliged to
offer.
'She is a strange child said the matron,
reading the glance of the visitor, but in.
telligent. Her great fault is her sensitive
temperament she has never ceased mourn.
ing for her mother-that for so little {
child is singular, you know-and she dead
so long,
Mrs. Eastman had fully expected thai
one Of the most beautiful ofthat little GROUP
was the child of her early friend. Much
she was disappointed at the diminutive
figure and plain features of this little stran
ger, and her looks showed her regret. She
strove to master it, however, as she gazeC
at the downcast child-the weak frame 81
eager to shrink out of notice.
will you be my little girlP she said.
The pale under lip quivered, and the di
minutive thumb sought shelteri in her mouth
while her eyes were cast towards the floor
Certainly you will like to 60 with Thu
lady, said the matron, encouragingly
you will love to live in a fine house, an,
have plenty of dolly babies, plenty to eat
and everybody to love you. Say yes t
the lady-she is going to be your mother
That word broke the loosed fountain
long-drawn, convulsive sigh, that must neal
ly have broken he little heart, dilated tn
child's whole fgure-then the tears fe
fast ond copiously, and she sobbed so vii
lently that Mrs. Eastman exclaimed pc
tishly-
why, what a queer child it is ) at whic
the little one sobbed harder than ever
and the matron led her from the room.
4 4 4
'Tiney, my love, be quiet, and get you
lesson. Christmas is coming, you know
and you must do your best. Mary, yol
eyes are constantly wandering why wi
ingP
The little one started, cast long, mour
full look in the face bent above hers, ar
with a deep, oldish sigh, gathered h
brows and resolutely applied herself to b
book.
g The parlor was beautiful, and we'll su
piled with l~uxurics. The rich red of Il
coal glow brought out innumerablc plctur
of rosewood carving, and struck into viz
light the rare pictures on the walls.
Tiney, n girl with bright black eyes S
in a roguish face, held in her hand a lit
silver pencil, with which, though her mot
or did not see her, she was making p
lures on the margin of her books. S
was the child of wealth any one mig
have known that, for the garments foldii
over those polished limbs we're of fine al
dainty material. A rich necklace of cor;
golden clasps, encircled her neck and h
little shoes, neatly laced, shone in a CASH
of the brightest kid. The little girl at b
side was not q whit the less beautifully I
tired but, from her brow the innocent 10
and loves and sweet surprises of childho
seemed permanently banished. Even t
rose-light Of health looked only dim
through the transparent cheek, and h
large, sad eyes always made one think
something mournful, A chubby babe,
most ready for the nursery, laid quiet
upon the lounge, drowsily playing with |
blocks, and growing in an undertone.
How now'-that voice was all heart
'how long have you been dumb-all
you-come I'm fora game-rouse up
look something like life;' and Mr.. la
man threw his great frame into an ca
chair, holding out his arms for the NJ
wide-awake baby.
'Tiney, do you know your lesson?'
Yes, mamma answered the child h;
tily concealing the pencil she had made
plaything.
And you, Mary?'
No, mamma timidly replied the me
conscientious Mary.
'Thcn you must not expect to pla,
said Mrs. Eastman, sharper than was woI
There, no crying-Im tired oft