The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1854-03-11

he is the oldest of two brothers whose father
was, al one time, immensely rich; and rcsid-
cd i'll beautiful mansion Oh the banks of the
Hudson, some fifty miles up the river. That
some ten years ago, Arthur left this country
for the far West, where, until recently, he has
sniourncd-that soon after his departure his
father died a bankrupt. For some reason
which Mr.. ID. could not undo: sand, he held
~ communication with hi; family, and knew
nothing, consequently, Ct his fathers death
until he return his returned. And, finally, it
was reported that lie was to depart for Cali
fo!:,;a, the land Of gold, shortly. Thus much
| learned from Mr.. d., which only increased
my anxiety to know more.
This cycning lie called upon Mr.. D. The
servant showed him INTO the parlor where
Martha and were sitting. Upon being i'll
formed that Mr.. d. was not at home, he rose
20 go, saying that he would call again; there
upon Martha said that if he were not in a bur-
ry perhaps he would wait, as she was expect
in@ her husband in every moment lie grace
fully accepted the invitation a. the same time
extending his hand said:
My name is Monroe: your husband and |
were fricndsat College, and am most happy
to make acquaintance Of the wife of my old
fronl'
Then he looked towards me, and Martha
rccolcc;ng herself said My Sister, He
bowed to me in acknowledgement C The in
PRODUCTION and fell into easy conversation with
Martha, who entertained him with comments
upon many books, manners, politics, and the
world at large. believe the only thing !
envy dear sister Martha is her conversational
powers. She is never at Il loss for subject,
and can, if necessary, talk well and entertain
ing about nothing.
|, as usual, said very little. Now and then
clging in a mono syllable cfaiii,maton or de-
NAL and occasionally delivered myself Of Il
contained in one short sentence. Nine o'clock
struck and yet Mr.. D. had not returned just
then Martha was called from thereon to give
some instructions in the lower regions lc-
lative to the mornings rcpast. Now, | felt,
I shall be obliged to say something more than
merely yes and no As the door closed
upon her, Mr. NJ turning to me said:
i did not understand your name when i'll
tluduc,d.'
replied, scarce knowing what was say
ing:
MY name is Maggie
Then observing queer smile about his
mouth, fastened to mend the matter by say
ing:
Ny name is Martin, but am so universal.
ly called Maggie by my friends that almost
forget that have any name besides
lie seemed satisfied with Tic explanation,
and smiling said:
Then am to prcs,lm" you arc always sur
rounded by friends. You are indeed most
fortunate Miss Martin, or may | claim Il
friends privilege and call you Miss Maggie
Certainly, ifyou pcrtcr,' replied, and just
at that interesting stage in our conversation,
Mr. D. entered. When about leaving heard
him promise Mr.. d. TO come soon and take
tea, and spend thc evening, whercupon hur-
ricd away to gossip with you. But it is la'c.
Hoping, (tor sake of thcintcrest of my letters
hcrcaftcr,) that the poor fellow didn't take
his death cold going home in the rain, | bid
you-Good night
waited a long while for the next letter,
but it came at last. This is the one -
'Ah Bel, strange things happen most sud.
denly most unexpectedly sometimes. | your
cousin Maggie, who sits writing to you this
evening, am the ailianccd wife of Arthur Mon
roe, that strangely interesting being of wholp
gave You Il sketch in my last. cannot tell
you how it all came about, for hardly
know myself. After that first evening he
came frequently to see us-invitcd Inc to visit
various places of interest which were new to
me, and made himself agreeable in variety
of ways. One evening last week, we came
home from lecture, and as it was yet carly
he sat for awhile, and talked first of the lee
turcr and his subject; then of indifferent things
and finally he said:
'Ihe last few weeks have passed like a
dream tome. 90 home tomorrow, and We
may not meet again, for, ere long, depart for
California.
was silent; I could not have spoken Just
then, had it been to save my lifc-such new,
strange feelings came over me. At length I
gained courage to look at him; he was obscrv-
ing me, and fanc:cl saw his lip trcmblc;
| know that there was beautiful light in
his clear, gray eye. When could command
my voice [ said:
why so to that far eff land of danger and
distress !! Surprising you should die there
far from home and those you lovc-is not the
idea a terrible onc?'
The idea of death is always more or less
terriblc-but / think it matters little where we
die and certainly it cannot matter much to
me, for there would be none to mourn for nc
save my MOTHER
As he pronounced the name his lip quivcrcd
and his eye glstened with a tear. At these
evidences if affection for his mother, felt my
heart lean towards him as it had never leaned