The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-09-28

ups. 10 vaIn-l could not be satisfied. he
had admitted that he had been remiss in shows
OF fondness, but he had made no excuse by
which to justify himself; and, though my Iowa
was not at all decreased, could frame ne
apologies whereby he stood justified. =
There was fighting in my heart. / coulaa
not reconcile myself to myself nor to him. !
could not wrench my heart from its idol, nor
create new one, still worshipping the old.
could only seek refuge in the old delusion, thaa
IN some way all would be right-shut my eyer,
andztrust the tide to bear me safely arounR
andbetwixt the shadows With the sunrise !.
awoke from troubled dream. We had been
sitting on bank, by great, stagnant pool
Mr. Richards and when suddenly the earth
gave way, and was precipitated into the water,
where L fioundered, neither sinking nor swim
ming felt the snakes winding themselves
about mo, and the green scum over my hair
end In my mouth and, calling aloud and
reaching my arms toward Mr.. Richards who
stood safely on the bank, regardless of me, [
awoke But when knew it was dream, |
could not rid myself of tho unpleasant impres>
sion it left behind.
We had pleasant breakfast together, MI
Richards seemed in gayer mood than I
had known him 30 be in for a long time, and
Timothy was in high spirits. His philanthroE-
10 Intentions, he told me, had received GER
tain direction-he proposed to establish 3
school, for the liberal education of the youths
and maidens of our neighborhcod.
How would you like to rejuvenate, end be-
come schoolgirl again! :" asked Mr.. Rich
ards, in a tone which might have been jest or
earnest.
said i. would suit me, of ell things to go
to school had been the wish of my life, and.
now had stronger motive than ever before
for acquiring Knowledge would make my
self worthy Of being loved.
It was agreed that | should bear the glad
intelligence to Lucretia-to assure her that she
should not only have better opportunity of
teaching than she had lost, but that at the
same time she should receive instruction, and
so qualify herself for greater usefulness and
the obtaining of sure maintenance.
When the meal was concluded, Timothy
announced his intention of speedy departure
in order to procure workmen for repairs and
additions to the farmhouse belonging to his
recent purchase, that tho school might be
opened ct the earliest possible moment.
"Neighbor Goodman" said Timothy, SHALL
not be without rival"
The half.jestipg manner in which he treat
cd the whole subject led me at first to doubt
his sincerity. He saw but one drawback to
the perfection of his plan, he said-he could not
to his own satisfaction find a position for Doke;
his capabilities were Of 80 peculiar nature, 1t
would require the protracted concentration of
all his powers to adjudge him fitting office /;
he feared he was scarcely qualified for en- ush-
err; but in some way, as a sort OF browning
grace of the institution, he must be employed.
In clearing the table he would be most efficient;
he would take him under advisement, and at
his leisure digest some plan.
Doke must be cared for in some way, for to
him he was indebted for the adjustment Of his
wavering philanthropy. He could not hear of
suffering innocence, and net seek to redress it !;
and the ejecsment of the girl Lucresia from her
little kingdom had formed the basement, CO it
were, of his beautiful project. He hoped
would be kind enough to inform the young lady
that no entertained good purposes towards her !;
be believed it would help materially to hang
restoration upon her lips. | felt half ashamed
for having lent 50 much credulty to what | be-
gan to esteem bubble, but soon saw that
he was not wholly insincere, for within a.. hour
of the announcement of his designs he was
gone. Dir. Richards accompanied him. and
took occasion to say that he should be home to
drink tea with me at seven O'Clock but that il
any strange gentleman should call, | would
say that he was absent on business for an in
definite length of time, and would not be at
home for ten days, certainly.
He told me this in hurried and confused
manner, and turned abruptly when | replied
that | should be careful to remember his or
ders After he had bid me good morning he
drew in the reina, and, leaping from the car
rage, approached me, and said, in serious
tone, that would oblige him by remaining at
home that day ho preferred that | should not
absent myself, even for an hour. | said |
would not leave the house but his requests
both troubled me. | had never been guilty of
falsehood; and should | not be, if followed
his direction And, moreover, had proposed
to visit Lucretia | was sorry had not men,
toned this Perhaps his confusion arose from
the knowledge that Timothy's eyes were upon
him, or perhaps it was all mere within, ca
price, for the trial of my obedience bnt nei-
ther excuse quito satisfied me- for | now re-
rnembered that his first question, on returning
from even an hours abseucs, had always been,
" Who has been hero!" and that be had some
times repeated the interrogation by saying,
"Are you quite sure? !" Aud when assured
that was quite certain no cne had been there,
he would smile, and ray he was curious in
such respects, or make some apologize obser-
walton.
had never thought much about il, but now
| placed one fact 9th another, end the resule
was \ vague and suspicious uneas:ness All
was not right; and yet, what could possibly be
wrong, could not divine. So far as bis deal
ings with men were concerned, he was 9
model of kindness and candor. had known
him many times to disoblige himself for the
sake of favoring others; and In the public in
tsrests no one was so active as he. Mike
and Rose testified to his uprightness, and the
l. =,
ashamed of my suspicious es | reasoned thus,
for in seeking testimony in bis favor did not
once call myself to the bar, else might have
found some evidence initiating against the
strictest honor | finished my inquiry by say
ing, "Is he not gone to-day on q charitable
mission, and am | not the recipient Of his boun-
tv and his afianccd wife, and nave any right
to srraign hina thus at the tribunal OF idle sur
mise ?n OF course / decided that had no
such right, and honorably acquitted the &C.
cused.
lt was late in the afternoon, when Doke
CT me to say that Luoretia wished to SEQ me.
had remained within doors till then, observ-
ant of the request of the morning; but now
no one would DO likely to come all looked
bright and sunshiny surely there was nothing
TO spprehend had been en- instrument Of
evil 10 Lucretia already, and it was my duty
TO make what reparation could. | would go
and remain Only long enough to promise an.
other visit When | had tied on my bonnet |
said carelessly to Rose, " If any one asks for
Mr.. Richards while | am gone, say he viii not
be home for ten days"
"What!D she asked, and pulled down my
veil. to conceal the bushes felt burning for
she had scen my many little preparations
against his return that night; L ehielded my.
self by saying, " He directed mo to say 30, and
| suppose he knows his own afairs."
81 doubt it,n replied the girl; (" IT'S my opin
ionn- would not hear what she said, but