The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-11-09
For the National Era.
H OIL [ wv 0 0 D
CHAP. VIII.
BY ALICE CAREY.

1t was the evening before the long looked-for
day that my story was broken off.
When | awoke in the morning, the sun had
been risen an hour, the house was astir, and the
neighborhood astir. As | looked from the win
dow toward the grove, saw that village beaus
and bellies were already beginning to assem-
ble-not yet for the enjoyment of the festivities
of the occasion, but to prepare for the enjoy
ment, though that was perhaps the greatest en-
joyment of all. In morning shawls and hoods,
the girls were moving briskly about, spreading
the table-cloths, and distributing the contents
of the baskets which the boys were rapidly
bringing in, some On their shoulders, some on
horseback, and some sturdily wheeling barrows
Lamps were being hung and tents spread, and
carpeting laid down over the speakers plat
| form and on the seats which were designed for
the musicians.
Bursts of song came across the fields, and
now and then the tapping of drum, or the
shril music of fife, for it was thought that too
much music could not be made on the occasion.
The fears of the past night were almost en-
trely dissipated by the gaiety of the scene pre-
scented, and the clear smiling beauty of the
morning. | dressed hastily, and went below
stairs. Rose and Mike were indulging in a
sort Of playful warfare as to who should carry
the heaviest basket. Mr.. Richards was already
gone to Superintend some of the arrangements
at the grove; and Timothy, who alone had
waited to breakfast with me, was seated in the
| open air, and smiled and nodded his good morn
| ing, without ceasing from the hute-playing
| which engaged him. While we slipped our cot
fee, Christopher Bone appeared in the full glory
of his new suit. He looked benignly upon us,
and as though he were the creature of some
higher sphere, who, from some benevolent mo-
| tives which common natures could not compre-
hend had condescended to walk among men.
| From either breast pocket of the new coat
peered literally forth one of the lectures cos
| typography. one done in red and one in blue
| ink-the title, and "By the Philosopher, Chris
| topher Bone, being set up at the top of page,
like sign.
| "My philosophical friend" said Timothy,
'allow me to congratulate you on the singular
beauty and appropriateness of your new cos
| tune"
"Realy," replied Christopher, II am fortu-
nate man. | am provided for like one of the
birds of heaven. Now, these things for the
comfort OF the outer man came to me at a most
fortunate period. l found them in my ward
robe" and he continued, speaking low and con-
fdentially, 81 suspect some poor tailor has
| thought TO get himself custom, for Of course a
| great many eyes will be upon me to-day"
Doubtless, you are correct" answered Tim
| othy, smiling significantly, and | doubt not
the poor man will be more than paid in listen
| ing to your lecture this afternoon
II glad, but not proud, because of my
superiority to the mass" said Christopher. Il" |
| pity but do not despise men for their foibleS"
| land what do you think of me?" asked Tim
othy. "Your estimate of my character may be
of the greatest Importance to my well being; for
pardon my speaking it, but it seems to me you
are most singularly endowed
| Pray excuse me-ior heavens sake, excuse
mel" answered the philosopher. ear Ezfk
have my weaknesses like other men, dMdzlg Id
spare you, spare you, spare you, my friend. God
made you, therefore ] suppose you can do some
little work." And he pattcd Timothy on the
head in condescending urbanity, and asked if
he might be allowed to offer him a slight con-
firmation of his good will.
Certainly" said Timothy; 81 would not dare
name the value j should place upon any little
token Of yours. Suffice to say, | would keep it
as an amulet, and Save a ship from pcrishing
| sometimes
Christopher looked at the young man in a
sort of pleased bewilderment, as if his capacity
surpassed his previous conception, for fiattering
words carry more or less influence with us all.
He looked pleased and astonished, as | said
then came over the solemn contemplation OF
his visage a smile, and though the sage bit his
lip, it deepened and broadened to all actual
laugh, which, unable to suppress, he hastily con-
cealed under the open page Of one of the I'M
mortal lectures, and abruptly departed.
"Wbat COMPOUNDED ass that old Christopher
isl" exclaimed Timothy, when he was gone,
and dropping knife and fork, in utter astonish-
ment that so great n fool could live at all.
| smiled for the incident seemed to me to
illustrate pretty fairly what each man thinks of
his neighbor, all the world over
While we were yet at breakfast, Doke pre-
scented himself bearing great bundle on his
back, and holding in one hand a curiously-fold-
ed sheet of foolscap, superscribed in large, fan
ciful, and hourishing characters, TO Timothy.
The philosopher graciOusly condescended to pre-
sent to his benefactor his own castolf clothing.
Timothy laughed heartily at the joke, and made
Doke happy by transfer Of the present to him
self, and sought by no means to open the eyes
of the old schoolmaster, who wore the new
clothes in the pleasant delusion that they evil
denced the slow but sure growth of his fame.
Is it true that our greatest happiness consists
in being well deceived?
At ten o'clock / was dressed, my heart iut-
tering little, but happy, very happy. | scarce
ly had time to exchange word with Mr.. Rich
ards, so busy were we all; but we exchanged
many smiles and glances, which said all, and
more than all, words could have said. The mti-
sic was heard playing at intervals, and the peo-
pie were seen passing almost constantly. Old
farmers in their market wagons, accompanied
by wife and one or two daughters that were
young ladies, perhaps, and two or three little
boys, tidy, and seeming to have all the sunshine
in the world in their faces. Even the baby on
the mothers lap sat upright, and seemed to re-
joice in the bright colors that met its eyes.
Many youth had a new saddle and a " free
dom suit " little in advapce of his majority,
and the sleekest and gayest horse was sure to
be ridden by the favored boys, as the young men
were called at home; for it is a beautiful pro
vision, that to our parents We never grow old.
One or two hours in advance of the time of
the commencement of exercises, the people be-
gan to assemble; for dense crowd was antici
pated, and all were anxious to secure an eligible
seat Horses were tied to the low limbs of the
trees, and wagons and carriages stood thick
| about the ground; gaps were made in the fences
| for the convenience of the assembly, and bar
rels of beer and cider, and great trays of home
baked cakes and pies, were temptingly displayed
| about the outskirts of the woods. All round
about, there was one confused glitter of fans
| and parasols, laces and ruff1es and ribbons and
white dresses and pink dresses and blue dresses,
but the elite of the occasion were generally con-
| coded to be the ladies selected by unanimous
reclamation to serve at table. They wore no
bonncts, and were further distinguished by pink
sashes, and wreaths of myrtle about their heads.
To be one of these waiting -maids was consid-
cred distinguished honor.
There was almost continual promenading
about the grounds for hours-each tent must be
separately examined, though the bewildered
visiters could scarcely pronounce whose was
prettiest, and an intuitive perception of fitness
perhaps prompted the assertion that one look
ed about as well as another
The springs which lay along the hollow, part
ly out of view Of the main audience, proved
most atfra ctive rexorts IN the voupp neonta aud