Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1854-04-06

course and become, once more, such a man
as they could respect and confide in
But, whatever might be his decision. or
fate. she assured him that she should ever
treasure remembrance of her great OBJ
legations to him. and pray for his pros
perlty and happiness She inclosed the
infamous letters she had received and
Dade him farewell, saying that when he
received them she should be far away.
and they might never meet again.
Dana wept some bitter tears, when he
read this package. It cut him to the
heart to know that Mary had left with
such an evil opinion of him, as belief in
the charges against him in those letters
would warrant an, whaS else could she
believe. if she had not received his denial /?
he wrote to her again. several times. after
this but, receiving no answer he came
to the conclusion that she put no faith in
his denial, and desired to hold no further
correspondence with him, or else had
found some one she loved better
ChagrIned and disappointed, he at last
gave up in despair; and after some
months of irresolution, very trying to his
past promises, he settled down to the
study of the law.
Mary left her home with heavy heart
not only on account of parting with her
own now comparatively happy family cir
Gle. but also, at the thought of Dana's
unworthiness That the reports were all
true, she had now little reason to doubt
and not till She became convinced of their
truth. did she become aware of the high
value she set upon his friendship. honor,
fame and good opinion. But she must
np
unmaidenly, she thought to force any
more OF her advice or sympathy upon
! him, when he had so Significantly by his
silence declined answering her last letter.
50 shutting up her wounded feelings in
her own heart, she resolved to allow no
thoughts of disappointment to interfere
with the performance Of her new duties
and the excitement of her journey South,
by sea and land, and the new acquain-
tauces she was continually forming. tend
ed to draw away her thoughts from the
painful subject, and give her such stock
of new thoughts and ideas, as in a mea-
sure to displace to the old ones.
Mozamba the new home to which Mary
was transported, was beautiful planta-
ton, surrounded by shady walks and
pleasant landscapes, where Mr. and Ms.
Mason. the friends whom she had accom-
panied South, lived, in style becoming
their wealth and station They were
both excellent people in their way but
the education Of their children had, hith-
erto, been sadly neglected, although they
were naturally talented and amiablc-
The father deplored their Ignorance. aud
had sometimes endeavored to obtain Q
remedy for it but be was always so i'm
mersed in business Or pleasure, that he
/ found little time to attend to their improve,
ment himself And the mother, with
! characteristic southern languor, had much
rather recline fstlessly upon her sofa, or
drum by the hour upon her harpsiohord
or piano, Of which she was passionately
fond, than listen to dry reading lessons.
or wear out her patience upon \. b, C's;
and Of sending them to a regular school,
1 she had perfect horror
When they made their long talked of
summer tour 10 the land OF Mr. M's na-
tivity, however, they intended to engage a
teacher and having found reason to ad-
mire the talent and perseverance of Mary.
who was aband2nty qualified for the post.
they took her home with them and placed
their children under her care Mrs. Ma
son was only too glad to get the trouble
of them of her own hands, as she had
house full of servants to look after.
round Of calls to make and a large circle
OF aristo1ratlc ac4uaintances to receive,
besides attending to her dear music
Mary soon reduced her little fock to
order, although it seemed rather hope
less task at first, and all parties soon
found a mutual benefit in her presence
among them Mary's bumps of order, we
suppose, were very prominent, as a good
many mismanaged things about the house
besides the children, began noiselessly to
/ 6nd their right places. after her arrival in
/ it and Mrs Mason finding how much
care was taken from her own shoulders
heartily wished she could retain her dur
1 ing life
BY her endearing qualities Mary soon
gained for herself more of the station of
a dear friend than a teacher. and was
treated as such by most of the people who
were intimate IN the family. whom she
was frequently called upon TO entertain
/ whether Mrs II was absent or otherwise
engaged Unused To fashionable society.
/ Mary at first. felt rather awkward when
thus called upon bat when she became
accustomed to her position, she found
that a little knowledge Of the etiquette
and customs of the people would enable
her to pass very well with those who
respected her calling, and for the good
opinion of those who did not, she cared
very little.
Mary got along finely with her little
school, besides continually adding to her
own stock of knowledge. She had an
extensive library to 90 to-a privilege
she had never before possessed-and We
may be sure she did not neglect that ad-
vantage and Mrs. Mason, observing her
musical taste, gratuitously instructed her
in that harmonious science, as some re-
turn for her many acts of kindness
The time passed pleasantly to Mary, in
Mr. Mason's family and months. and
even years rolled away, with little of
change in their pleasant relations to each