Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-07-17
LITERARY MISCELLANY.
For the National Era.
H oil w 0 0 0 .
CHAP. II--continued.
BY ALICE CAREY.


but when she went on to say, that married
folks had all the trouble IN the world, and that
no matter how badly eff person was il was
but jumping out Of the frying pan into the fire,
to get married, | tried to think of all the great
and solemn things in the world, in order to
dwindle her foolishness to its proper insignif
canoe but it wouldn't do-Mr. Richards
stood listening deferentially, and by her, taking
the dimensions Of us all. could not help
going close to my father, and saying-sWhy
don't you say somethingp But he only an
swered in q subdued and mournful whisper,
looking sideways at Martha-sYou know
Why did know why, and made no further
entreaty; but while my step-mother descanted
on the beauty Of her former home, the number
Of its religious privileges, and the extraordina-
ry growth Of the potatoes in that part Of the
country, | withdrew, for the arrangement Of
my toilet, which made, with view to my
appearance as much % might be, from
wardrobe SO scanty as mine
Ready p asked Mr. Richards, seeming to
indicate that had been very expeditions; and
bowling to Mrs. Halstead and to my father,
who, think had not spoken to him, and to
little Hetty, who had slipped off Martha's
knees and lay with her head Topped back
ward, and her bare legs burning, and conse-
into the night and the storm.
81 think remember every word Mr.. Rich
ards said to me, during that short walk. /
had not been accustomed to be treated as
woman, and the new sensation gavo me such
pleasure as had rarely known.
The snow was falling fast now, and through
its white shower remember Of seeing Charley,
still skipHing the rope, and of turning my face
from him. as if that would prevent my compan-
ion from observing him. All me must own
it-for the first time IN my life ! was ashamed
of my brother. 1t is sad, fearful thing
when the children who have eaten at the same
table and slept beneath the same roof arrive at
that Joint from which their paths henceforth
lie apart. If the grave has closed over friend,
we gather solace from the knowledge that they
loved us to the last-that we tended and
watched them till the need was over; but,
when affection grows slowly dim under the
mildew Of indifference, and sense of the old
fondnefs returns only now and then, it is min
gled with moro than funeral sorrow. Per-
sons who have lost limb, are said to feel
consciousness of being whole sometimes, and
also to suffer repeatedly the pain of dsmem-
berment; and they who have lost friends by
alienation, experience something akin to this
but where was talking of that winter
"
Whitehall the orchard trees were white-and
above the soft Sitting scarce q sound was heard;
now and then the low Of some unsheltered cat
tie or the creaking Of broken branch; but
the work was done, and the laborers comfort
ably housed.
Mr. Richards asked me if | was not cold,
and wrspt my shawl, a thin one, and INSULT
cient for the nighf closely about me- said
yes, as an excuse for the trembling of my arm
which he held closely under his own. He
talked fuently, mingling knowledge Of men
and books and habit of observation, with the
suggestions of the moment while /, awkward
and embarrassed, could say but little, and that
little very badly. At home had kept in the
obscurest corner, and now the night protected
mo from his observation; but when we drew
near his own home, and the lights strcamed
brilliantly from dozen windows felt that
there was no further refuge for mo, and that
he would see at q glance how plain was, and
how little knew. The suffering this thought
occasioned me was quite gratuitous.
The lane leading from the main road to
his house was bordered with trees-msples and
iocusts--and gradually ascending for quar-
tar Of mile or more, when, opening q small
gate, winding walk, paved with gravel, and
edged with box and flags, led us TO the main
entrance CT the house. u small, unpretending
cottage, rs know now-but then, il was the
fne house Of our neighborhood-and the white
vallA and piszzas, and green blinds, and flower
beds, and serpentine walks, had an import
auce, from their novelty. The ground had
been purchased and the improvements effected
by man of liberal fortune, who, for some
cause, never came to reside among us and
who, after years neglect shuffled off the
pretty homestead altogether. Fortune had,
perhaps, dealt him better hand eIsew here.
"A servant man opened the door for us, and
TO my great annoyance flor wore none) was
directed to remove my wet overshoes and cloak.
The door leading into the parlor stood open,
and the books on the table, the pictures on the
wall, and the ornaments on the mantelpiece,
indicated more refined and elegant taste than
1 ives accustomed 10. As We paused, Mr.
Richards shaking the snow from his brown
cufIs and wet garments, and affecting to busy
myself hound, one Of the most beautiful Of
bis species, white, spotted with fawn, and his
hide IS smooth as the oliver collar he wore,
rose from the rug, and bis master went for
ward, and answered bis whine with caress,
and merry shake Of the ear Little Harry's
playfellow, and the more epdeared to me on
that account he said, as he led the way to the
sck child's room but the tone and manner
were 20 worldly could not tell whether the
dog were cndeared to him for the childs sake,
or the child for that Of the dog.
"We we're half way up stairs or thereabouts,
when face, something wrinkled from youth
full proportions, pcered from the door above,
and voice, Of that querulous and authorita-
tive tone which very unhappy wives sometimes
adopt said:
80 Mr.. Richards, are you going to be all
night bringing In neighbor girl =
40, no, Miss Pincbum; here we are, entire
" at your service
This tone was the gayest had yet hoard
him use; and, rs he spoke, he pushed the
woman aside, and conducted me to the fire.
sf9s too bad, said She following slowly.
my host brought forward the easy chair
and the cushioned footstooi, advising mo to
warm and dry my feet - hoped
would suffer no Inconvenience from the expo-
,ura---eaid he would call the attention Of Dr.