Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-03-17
LITERARY MISCELLANY.
For the National Era
A BR0THER's RECOLLECTION OF AN ONLY
SISTER.
BY MApy IRVING.
CHAP. VII.


had once prepared for her reception. IL had
passed into the hands Of a stranger and even
had it been still my own, could not have
borne the burden Of associations hung about
its humble walls How many dream-castles
fair aa the hand Of hope ever fashioned, wonld
have lain there in ruins beneath my feet
sought out spot too rude and lonely for
any but determined misanthrope. For not
only had my faith in humanity and in the IN,
licences of society been shaken TO its founda-
ton. but nv trust in the good Providence of
God had suffered fearful shock,
This little hand said once the evangelist
Whitefeld, .shides from my eyes the glorious
sun ~ A smaller hand than Whitefeld's had
eclipsed mig heaven and had IT not been for
the one star vouchsaied to my midnight trcm-
BILE to think Of the paths into which my dark
encd steps might have wandered
My dovc,' as | often styled Eulalie, was
happy enough in her rude nest builded Of logs
half hcwn, half in their natural roughness
The first glimpse Of the barn.like cabin had
afforded her good deal Of wonder and amusc
mcnt, and her merry, unsophisticated exclama-
tons had thrown our wagner into commissions
Of laughter.
T e I reckon it'll come material enough ym'by
sis ~ was his parting salutaton as he lett her
at the door Of the cabin, gazing about her like
fawn in astrange park. The grand old ever
green's that darkencd tho sky overhead, in
whose rustling bonghs the evening wind was
playing q sad symphony, seemed to strike her
with awe for she remained silent, until ehe
caught a glimpse Of An open vista between
their trunks. With the cry, z The prairie 40
near Y she gave glad bound towards it.
followed q few steps, just in time to extricata
her from the snare OF a e siue0 into whose soft
mud she was sinking helplessIy.
"Oh what bad roads you do have in this
West ~ she exclaimed, az | carried her,
laue hing, back /" and such small houses too
Large enough for gnu to keep, little one,
and for me tn find shelter in. Remember,
shall be very difficult to satisfy very crsbbed
and fanlt-fnding But change those damp
shoes, child, while build FIRE
Housekeeping, even on 30 small scale, had
it's trials trivial and severe for the little novice
lent my assistance where it was demanded
but, in general, left her to her own resources,
and watched her narrowly; for it has always
been point Of my creed, that the girl or
woman who fnils, in an emergency to develop
the talent for housewifery, has little Of that
genius which is essential to succefs in any
path Of life Lulie was a veritablo "queen
heeu for industry; aud though she was forced
few first weeks, sho persevcred, and ere the
dawn Of her tenth birthday, became fairy
houaekeeper, whose fare Titana herself might
not have disdained to taste!
In my desire to screen her pure heart from
the communicating Influences Of society, by al
most isolating her, had not forgotten that the
young heart must have companionship of some
kind. lclustered abont her all the pets which
the region could furnish Broods Of chickens
and goslinge, lambs, snow-white pigeons and
kittens, found their home in her LOVING heart
Bestbelovcd Of oil, was a large Newfoundland
dog. named Bruno whom had given her
as an able and trust worthy guardian, during
the many hours, and sometimes days, Of my
absence.
Yet these were not her only companions,
Stars clouds, birds, and flowers, all took life
to her glad Imagination If these resources
could ever have been exhausted, her library
remained and her devotion to her books was
undiminished, whenever she found time to be
stow upon them. Willingly would she, at any
time, see me leave for the nearest village, dis
tant fifteen miles, to pass, perhaps, the night,
Qf the weather was bad for | never returned
without some new volume for her. In the
evenings, ] superintendent her studies often
feeling that learned more than impaired to
that innocent childheart
On the first Sabbath after our arrival, Eula-
lie arrsyed herself in best white frock and roy
sash, and arranged our little room more tid,ly
than ever
"Where is the church, brother - she in
quircd, Mt last.
There is no church hereahouts, rejoined.
But all those people whore houses we pass
cd last T0esd ay-where do they 90 10 church ~
"Thev have no church,
"Strange-where docs the minister preach ~
There is no minister within twenty miles
my DEAR" said |, laying down my book
Her countcnance fell, and she gased gloomily
into tho fire.
Nobody TO tell them about their souls I
All those little children che exclaimed, after
many moments OF thought Brother in--and
sho raised her Dyes with a sndden CLEAN
ayou ought to 10 their minister
| smiled invalnntarily.
~ Luliey ! cannot preach 2
But then you can talk TO them, as you used
to TO rne, when was littIc---you who know 70
much Not preach exactly, but tsaehin
drew deep sigh, reproved for my want Of
interest in my fellow beings. But shook my
head, and the lighted face clouded again.
"sapposo sou try il, Lulie, said !, as arose
to go out
II asn too littlcts she replied in sorrow
faI tone, Iifnng the small fingers OF one hand
in the other.
| loft her gazing anxionsIy into the Goals
OF course, in process of time the children Of
the scattered families composing our neighbor-
hood found their way to our premises. While
Enlslic had smiles and kind words for them
al, fhe was mot q little puzzled and amused at
The strange orders Of humanity that thus came
TO her notice. Little uncouth, halfclothed
immigrant children, many Of them were 9th
era, dressed in east-oH costumes of their moth
ere, imported from the old country Various
were the brogms che learned TO understand
and to initiate; but at the pafois OF tho French
and Welsh Youngsters she stumbled altogether
and contentcd herself with The uniysrsally.un-
derstood language Of signs.
Yankee family" (all from Eastern sec.
tious bear that title at the Wcsi) of some pre-.
tensions among its neighbors, resided at the
x.x..... ~ a rntia from ia ir, N hoant,ful q oak