The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-08-17
For the National Era.
H OIL Y 0 0 D .
BY ALICE CAREY.
CHAP. III Concluded.


Martha, who had a taste for visiting, &C.
cepted at once the invitation. Then she had
her own interests in view-she desired to con-
suit Mr.. Richards as to the best mode of in
yestlng her five hundred dollars fer she seemed
TO regard the judgment OF my father as lnfe-
rior to that of most other men. We were soon
ready; | wore tho new pink dress with black
ribbon, some buds Of the eweet-brer in nay
hair, and for once was quite we'll satisfied with
my toilet
Doke wound himself about Martha like
vine, as she was about to depart, and in q loud
whisper enjoinod her to bring home her pocket
handkerchief full of coed stuff for that if che
failed, he would lick all the cream off the milk
basins.
The walk was delightful; the young dande-
lions were bright along the grass, which was
softly green and the tinkling of the runs along
the hollows made sleepy music for the home
ward flying of tho birds and the bees. Mar
tina conversed with indiscriminate volubility,
| greatly to my modification, for | could not but
| feel that Mr.. Richards was rather amused than
| entertained She would not have found so
much to say IN a month at home, as she said
during that short walk; home was no place
for the exercise of her charming talents 1t
was not worth while to try to make the old
house like other peoples houses.
Something of the old embarrassment re-
turned to me, when found myself the guest of
Mr. Richards. The simple but elegant fur
nishing of the parlor had the effect to diScon-
cert me, and all Mr.. Richards's polto effort. to
entertain me were dead failures. | was unac-
customed to the requirements of gentle breed
ing, and, having little Of the rustic independ-
ence common to my class, was alike united
| for the station in which was born, and for q
higher one | tried to seem happy, for saw
our host exerting all his powers to give me
pleasure, and while felt myself ungrataful,
could with difficulty eubdue the bitterness Of
the dissatisfied spirit within. l did not once
reflect that had my part to act, that so much
kindness deserved some return; that it was
wrong to cit dumb like an idiot, expecting the
attention of princess, and yet scorning the
homage demanded.
All me it was hard to deal Justly with me-
ignorant and proud, rustic and refined, ambi-
tious and humble, anxious to please, yet
ashamed to make one effort to do 30.
Miss Pinchum was most cordial, doing the
duties of hostess with much ease and grace
she was delighted that Mrs. Halstead had
deigned to accept their hospitality. Our un
socability had been matter of regret to MIR
Richards and herself-she hoped we should be
good neiehbors in future. She was delighted
that her friend had brought the little girl ; and
she patted my cheek, saying she hoped | wal
: good, and minded my mother. Then, putting
her handkerchief to her eyes, she said, I" if oul
, dear little Harry were alive, he would be a MIC,
PLAYMATE for you but as it is, | am afraid oul
house will prove a dull place, though MIR
Richards is fond of children, as you see."
"Massy sakes!" exclaimed the widow, ii
that amt the beatenes. thing ever see-pre
! tending like as if you thought Molly was lit
tie gal-why, che has been old enough to b
i married this three year. She knows as mucl
as you or me, and she Is night down good com
nanv on apy subject | thanked Mrs Wilk
,nson for her compliments, but assured he
that was certainly a child in knowledge; a
which she shook her head, saying che didn'
| believe a word of it. She then inquired If
, conId m AXE bread and butter, il | could wor
: a hutton. hole and do nice sueing-assertin
that If | was ignorant in any respect pertain
i inc 10 household accomplishments, she was tn
|. woman to teach me-ehe was old enough
d have derived the advantages of experience, an
8 not SO old as to have experienced any dimin'
ton of any faculty.
D In short. abe set forth all her domestic vi
it tues without any stint of their excellence
d Miss Pinchum, during this self-lauoing
II the widow, kept her eyes fixed on the gre
q. object of her thoughts, to ascertain In "n'
It manner he was affected but, finding him qui
2 unmoved, she resumed her halfsuspended COZ
placency, declaring that she really must ma
}" been very stupid to suppose me SO young az
y she appealed to Mr.. Richards to know II
n didn't think her stupid; to which he rephe
briefly, in the affirmative.
CHOW, did you ever !" exclaimed Miss Pine
um and she added, shaking her finger pls
he fully, Naughty man. to plaene me So"
lr aAre you weather-wise, Mrs Halstead
ve exclaimed Mr. Richards, looking from Il
ir window, and affecting obliviousness to the te
: der appeal of Miss Plnchum "it seems to 4
IA AZ. oina,da xaar a Threatening aspeCt.W