Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-08-04
LITERARY MISCELLANY.
For the National Era
H 0 | wv 0 0 D
BY ALICE CAREY.
CHAP. III Concluded.

no use 10 try; ana aimost cnoking WIN mug
nation, she replied:
my heart is not false, at any rate and
that is more than can be said OF some persons,
and | guess come other persons wall ma y
outn
aThon you admit my defect is not quite so
obvious as yours but plead guilty TO your
accusation, for if have any heart, have not
been conscious Of it for Q long time"
al don't know Miss Pinchum's opinion
said the widow, gaily, "but for my part, !
think man without heart is better than
nonep
Excellent, 7 responded Mr.. Richards; atheD
nv case is not hopeless, desperate as 1t ID
What say you, Miss Hslstead?o
"That you have nothing to fear, certainly"
81 wish was dead ~ exclaimed Miss Pinch
um, setting by her tea-cup and suffering the
tears to drop in unooncealed freedom down
her cheeks.
g Are you illa and what can be done to serve
you?n asked our host.
"Now, you needn't pretend any interest you
don't feelN replied the injured woman, sob
bling all the while, you might just as well say
you hate me at once and wish was dead and
out of your way if you only wait little long
er will be- for can't endure this way Of liv-
ing much longer--and when you have bad me
dscenty buried, you may 60 and marry Mrs.
Wilkinson, or Miss Halsteed if you want to,
as coon as am cold, Mr.. Richards" AT this
point, the poor woman became too much agi
tated to say moro.
"A flush of fire passed over the face Of our
host and left it pale; his intense anger made
him calm, and he replied, in low, steady voice,
aYcu have surprised and panied me, madam,
but as to wishing you dead, your life and death
are matters of utter indifference to me; and as
for marrying Mrs. Wilkinson, doubt not but
that che would be quite % ayeree to such an
union as myself
What does averse mean?o asked the
widow, in my ear but Mr. Richards, who
overheard the question, replied:
slt means, madam, that no possible COM
bination of circumstances could bring about
marriage between you and me-"
"If ever | stitch my eyes blind to make
pantaloons for you again, and face that ugly
bull, and everything, to bring my work home
to you, hope may be hanged-thaps all As
for marrying you, would not have had you
the best day ever you saw; and now you are as
ugly as mud fence, and as old as the hills.
Look at ma, 10 my mourning deepest kind
do look like getting married I"
81 can't say that think You do,o replied
Mr.. Richards smiling, for the ludicrous soene
had quite restored his good humor
You are great old fool, that is just what
you, are.v aAnd you are another" cried the
widow, looking from Mr.. Richards to Miss
Pinchum; and as she spoke she rose from the
table, and, kicking her chair half across the
room, floundered out Of the house, holding her
mourning shawl and bonnet in her hands; and
alarming the gate behind her, and mutteripg
to herself, she disappeared in the darkness, for
it was now night.
Seeing that her most formidable foe was
gone, Miss Pinchum began to swallow her sobs,
and the next moment removed the handker-
chief from one eye, which she turned in mute
appeal to her hard hearted tormentor, as she
seemed to regard Mr.. Richards.
He was quietly psrtakng Of his tea, and ap-
parently did not observe her; upon which, she
said, in faltering tones, she was not angry, but
that she had her feelings hurt
Still Mr.. Richards maintained silence, or
conversed with Mrs. Halstead. At this juno
ture the lady rose, and, laying one hand play
fully on the shoulder of her patron, said, in
coaxing tones Come, Harry, forgive me, and
let MS kiss and be friends"
al have no desire TO be friends; indeed, after
your conduct this evening, it is quite imposs-
BILE. trust shall be able to find house.
keeper who shall better understand hor duties0
And turning to me- he spoke in light and
lively vein, as though the embarrassing scene
through which We had passed was but the
most trifling episode in an otherwise most
agreeable occasion.
While we were breakfasting at home, the
following morning, and relating to Charley
the-scene ct the white house the previous even
ing, We noticed the widow Wilkinson crossing
our fields with an unusually hurried step, and
bearing heavy bundle, which was swung on
stick, over her shoulder.
"She is running away said !, ato escape
modification Charley said she was proba-
bly, carrying home some bundle Of work but
he looked anxious, and went to the window to
assure himself as thought, that Lucretia did
not accompany her.
aGood!n exclaimed Dokc, al hope che is
going away down the. river;n rather an equiv
GOAL torn 70 most persons, but to Doke it was
no vagary, and down the river meant to the
end Of the earth.
aAked what especial interest her move
ments were to him upon which his why fn-
gers began to witch and twist curiously as be
answered, that che had probably left some
good stuff 10 the cupboard at home, and that
if 20, he was tho boy that would be grabbing
after it.
Eyes Dokey, you have as good right as
anybody; and there is no way but to look ont
for yourself 10 this world, md more especially
In this neighborhood,v said Martha.
My father ventured the remark, that the
neighborhood was very good onc--timidIy he
spoke, nevertheless be Did speak IL.
= What do you saytD exclaimed Martha,
thunderstorm.
Nothing" replied my father and, leaving
his second cup Of coffee untasted, he walked
out into the sunshine, and silently leaned
against the barn door
Charley soon followed, for the widows move
mcnts had completely destroyed his appetite (;
and shortly after arose, indignant at the state
Of things in general
Charley, to say the least was half in love
with Lucretia Wilkinson, simple-minded
child, unkno~ing her own heart, dependent,
inexperienced, and in All ways untitled to be
the mate or tho selfdiftrustful and vacilatipr
Charley. ! saw my Lass hope that be would
49, A. - - -.