Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-01-30
LITERARY MISCELLANY.
For the National Era.
MY TWIN SISTERS.
BY MRS. ANNIE Il. BEEcHER.


nightfall, with the astounding news that had
got couple Of little sisters
My stars didn't spur through the streets
like locomotives stopping not until fairly
compelled by nurse Bradlee, who wiped the
perspiration from my hot forehead, smoothed
my hair, put on clean bib and tucker, and led
me, in a frightful state Of curiosity and trem-
bling delight, to my mothers bedside, where
she lay with the twinsn
She unroled pair Of steaning blankets,
and saw--oh my heart-my sistersl
had pictured, on my frenxed route home,
two perfect little doll-like specimens Of hi.
mainly, roselipped, fair skinned, curly-haired,
&C.. but here was the reality!
Puckered, and to be squinteyed, my sinking
heart foretold me.
They were the first babies had ever seen
and, as they stuck out their small, red, damp
fists, and squared away at me with the crook
eldest and most rubicund Of all mortal legs,
groaned in agony Of spirit, and fled to my own
room to weep forth my bitter disappointment,
in silence and solitude.
No one will ever know with what secret mis-
givings watched the growth of those atwinsn
Sometimes | fancicd they were ont-growing
6 the squint,o and would get quite lght-heart-
cd about it; when Suddenly they would leer at
me- from my mothers lap, in the most CHASTITY
iunnnci, uboHiitS my hopes 70 aOOHiS.
did not name my fears to any one, lest it
should get to the ears Of my mother, and pain
her; so wrestled and writhed with my intense
agony in secret and alone
! used to sit hours in the foot of their cradle,
my feet doubled under me, singing to them,
and rocking with might and MAN. to get rid
OF the thought which was Q perfect bngbear TO
me.
Yes, they would be squint-eyed, knew they
would and all the schoolgirls would laugh at
my little sisters-my squint-eyed sisters. They
had always sneered because hadn't any, and
now these were--worse than none.
Well sang on, rocked on; and old Father
Time, ne came every day, and smoothed away
wrinkle from their puckered-up, apeish little
faces.
"Mother mother :" exclaimed, one morn
ing, !. the twins are moi going to be squnt-
eyed! Tears were streaming down my face,
and my good mother for the first time suspect,
cd oil the anguish childish as it was) had
endured.
Certainly not" said she, soothingly; aba-
bies oil sqnt when they are young. It's be-
canse they have no thinking control over their
movementsn
did not stop to wonder at her explanation
was too happy for that
With what alacrity now dragged nv
school-mates in to look upon those wonders
Most Of them had sisters, or q sister ut least but
not one had two! two just alike!
See here!" said one day, triumphantly-
9 see hcrel" turning the soft downy hair, faint
~ perceptble on the fat wrinkly necks, at the
back Of their heads over my fingers.
"Curiy hair going to have curly hair ~
and clapped my hands in ecstacy at the
Idea bare as it wasi !,
| besought my father with tears to get q
basket carriage, that might drag them about
the viliage-one at the head-another at the
foot! O, what proud sight il would be
got the carriage-by dint of perseverance,
and put the :. twins into it arranging them
as pleased; and gave them their first ride
out into Gods sweet air and / called upon
everybody met with to admire those sweet
baby-faces-fresh as early violets-in their soft
rose-colored hoods trimmed by myself with
bow exactly on top)
How my mother dared trust me with so pre-
oious . burden, know not But her confidence
was not misplaced. If saw horse or even a
wheeibarro,c miles away, would scampcr with
my rich burden into harbor - to wit, some
neighbors Enthusiastically closing the gate
behind me. Thus secured, would dance all
sorts OF fantastic miRuefs around the carriage.
generally TO the profound astonishment of the
atwinsS
was out in the sun with thcm-aa sight,
rs my mother said; and indeed she added
had made an "Injun Of myself and was
not fit to be SEEM
Bot If was tanned and freckled until nv
nose resembled turkey . egg, ian uncle's com.
parison) the twins fourished and grew
fAirer every hour, and was satisfied.
U, what sunshiny days were those when
glance at their tiny baby shoes sent thrill TO
~ a. -
small veivcty piping lips created in me a hap
pines 80 intcnse that ! weep to think OF a even
now
Pink and azare robes, golden flossy curls.
LILY necks and arms, silvery broken prattle
absorbed my whole baby breast
what proud day was that upon which I
was permitted 10 trick out one of the atwips. !,
and take her with me 10 school,
What care ! bestowed upon every smear OF
her scanty, soft hair. How red made her
sweet safiay neck, by incesant and violent
scourings! How fastidiously was The kerchief
placed upon it; and how marvcIlously a even y
was the bit Of bonnet set on the head above.
wondering with all it's little might about the
koolD and bearing all sorts Of infections. for
the sake OF going with lister" who, dare
say looked . thousand years old 10 the mite Of
thing
What promises made 10 be q doodv a. she
padded along BY my sidc, firmly clasping one
OF my fngers. Il was sure 10 give her only
one becanse remembered distinctly that mo
fdfAsr gave mu only one, when walked with
him, and Ne wa my beau-ideal,) believing. con-
nding wholly m me, rs one able 10 protect
from all dangers in the shape Of cows. oxen
horses sheep, &c. which we met abundantly
on the way, and from which could no more
have saved her than The man in the moon. in
whom then believed most dcvoutly.
What = long time spent in the school house
entry, hiding my little treasures things, and
smoothing over and over again her hair. and
jerking down her skirts TO make her alone.
wasted ~ And at last, when did 70 in, what
PRECIPITATION was in--walking on air 10 nv
seak dragging my tiny sister after me, who