New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1854-08-05
EXTREMES MEET; OR, FACT AND FICTION

.0 CHAPTER !.
ssWhat are you reading, sis?"
&c Bleak House,
GA novel; e#...z=
eyes; why not? Dickens's last new novel,
and q capital thing it is, too
The two ladies between whom this conversa-
ton passed, were sisters, and nieces of one of
the better class of New England farmers with
whom they resided. Squire Fairbanks, without
being very brilliant man, had acquired con-
siderable distinction in the village where he
lived probably because, beside being worth
money!" he was straightforward, conservative,
reliable man, and had frequently served the
town in an acceptable manner, both in the Leg
islature and as q moderator in town meetings.
He was the most notable man in the village, and
wore the title Squire" which was universally
accorded to him, simply by being a very re-
spectacle person and man of influence.
Susan and Mary Fairbanks were orphans, in
heriting from their father the very pretty sum
of five thousand dollars each. Both had attained
their maturity, and consequently were in full
possession Of their portions untrammeled even
by the authority of as indulgent a guardian as
Squire Fairbanks had proved to be.
They had been well educated at celebrated
female seminary in the vicinity of Boston, and
as matter of course had brought to the quiet
village of Popletown many strange notions and
remarkable peculiarities But they were SEN
sible girls in the main, and though. their habits
and education elevated them above the reign
ing st ton" of the place it was generally con-
ceded that they knew what was what and
were not mite more ''stuck up than would
naturally be expected.
| Mary and Susan were essentially different in
temperament and disposition. The former was
exceedingly free and open hearted, while the
latter was rather disposed to truckle to the
formality of the world Mary never asked
what the world would say or think, and while
her notions Of duty were very clearly defined,
she chose to be independent and straight for
ward. People said she sstook after her IA
ther.
Susan, on the contrary, was nicely sensitive
| to the good opinion of others. She had not the
energy to do any thing in opposition to popular
sentiment. Indeed she was very much like
some of the distinguished public servants at
Washington, who do every thing with an eye to
reelection or to government patronage.
A short time before our story opens young
minister had been settled in Peopetown, and
being single man, Squire Fairbanks had con.
sented, as special favor, to receive him into
his house. The Rev. Mr.. Carlisle was univer
sally allowed to be a very promising young
man. He was talented, had a graceful elocu
ton, and what pleased the young ladies still
better, was decidedly a handsome person
Those who were not much influenced by talent
elocutlon and personal beauty, thought he was
rather bigoted for one so young, and hoped tina
time would wear off the rough corners Of hi
repulsive theology
| Susan Fairbanks was deeply interested il
the young clergyman, and q natural conse
quence to her vacillating temperament becam.
deeply interested in spiritual things. We dt
not believe she had any intention of playing
the hypocrite; but the devotion to the youns
minister involuntarily led her TO assume an in
terest which, if Mr. Carlisle had been old, ugl,
or married, she would not have felt
"a novel sis! only think of it!'' exclaime'
Susan, holding up both hands with pious horror
pray Susan, how long is it since you hav
possessed this holy repugnanee to novels.
was only last winter that l saw you readin.
The Children of the Abbey i returned Mary
laughing heartily"
81 have not read one since, and IneYer mea,
to again"
! "Tadgsl"