Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-08-02

recalling all MIR hicnafus hau oaiu ~ Ano
triAes, and less than trifies, yet OF weight
enough 10 crush into silence the earnest whis-
pers If a devoted lover.
III did not attempt to define my emotions;
was not aware of their tendency--it was quite
impossible that my destiny should be infiu-
enced by Mr.. Richards, nor did wish u to
be; yet, in shaping out any course Of iiie LOT
myself, my first thought was constantly, What
will be think of it2' and though Judgment told
me he would not think anything about me IN
any way, the conclusion would only be arrived
at that might 20 through some new round OF
speculation, and end with tho old interroga-
tionu
You think me very foolish my friend very
weak and ridiculous; but in spite OF your wise
sneers, if you give them to me, ] fancy my
heart is much like the hearts OF other women;
and if you would allow your own to speak
honestly, it would make confessions not dssim-
liar to mine.
Women know little of the uses of reason
their intnitions and prepossessions have much
Of the character Of instincts; and what they
cannot stumble on in the dark, they rarely dis
cover by any process Of calculation.
God gave us powers quite sufficient for the
spheres he designed US to occupy, and blessed
is she who remains contentcd in that sphere.
Immeasurably happier is she who 10 empress
of one heart, than che who rules continents. 1t
is q fayorite theory of mine, that only they who
have no kingdoms Of love over which to preside,
are driven to make war upon the beautiful IN
situations growing out Of the natural inequality
of the sexes
But pardon my digression-l was betrayed
into it unconsciously, and, for myself, am sure
this unsatisfed thirst this pining and longing
and hoping for some imperfectly outlined good,
are but the fever-dreams Of heart unpillowed
on the bosom Of affection.
Whore was a-sitting by the fire in the old
house at home:
"Well, many time | sat there afterward
till deep into the night, always alone now, for
when he was So avoided me, or spoke only OF
commonplaces. My one little effort to make
home pleasant was never renewed, and the
spring was only different from other syringe
inasmuch as Charley assisted more about the
labors of the farm, and though he talked little
to me, wore more cheerful aspect. This gave
to my father new ZEAL and repairs began which
| had never expected to see made In the old
place.
"One afternoon toward the close of March,
noticed the widow Wilkinson making her
way with brisk steps toward the house of Mr..
Richards, arrayed in her tidiest mourning,
and carrying q small parcel in her hands;
that she contemplated tea-drinking with
Miss Pinchum could not doubt, and that it
would be greatly to the disgust Of that notable
housekeeper also felt; but | did not and could
not foresee the momentous consequences which
would result from Mrs. Wilkinsons apparently
harmless designs.
aOnce or twice in my visits to the post Office,
| had seen Dr. Roberts, but our intercourse had
been limited to simple exchange Of civil
ties, for | adopted a manner, from the day OF
our casual meeting in the woods which recog-
missed only chance acquaintanceship, and one,
too, which / had no desire to cultivate further.
| undcrvalued him because | knew could cast
him off and whistle him back at pleasure
strange perversity, common to human nature,
| believe, and not peculiar to mine. | would
not see any peculiar meaning in his melan-
choly and inquiring eyes, and responded to his
deeply serious tones with playful and TESTING
words, of which the meaning was completely
neutralized by the manner.
81 will not extenuate one whit, and though
at the time did not consider myself playing
double part, see now that my conduct win
bear no other construction. Well, have had
my reward, and the young man has had his, |
hope.
ito return to the day of Mrs Wilkinson's
set, and was putting the last stitches in o
dress Of Pink g.ngham; for, true to his prom
| Ire, my father had bought me q new gown, in
consideration of the tea biscuit albeit Martha
had not been pacifed thereby. was putting
in the last stitches, and-shall confess it a.
with womanish vanity thinking how pretty it
would look, when the lively salutation of our
| new neighbor flor the door stood opep) arrest
ed my attention. Twas, as it rarely happened
with me, in mood TO be pleased. My new
dress tended, perhaps, to my good humor, and
the coming of fprlng always inspires US with
new courage. The long limbs Of the sweet
brier, pinky with coming blossoms, blew al
most against my face as | sewed, and from
across the hill heard the voices Of my father
and brother, talking as they worked. Smiling
something Of the happiness felt extended q
moro cordial greeting to our neighbor than 1
had ever done before. His usual vivacity was
heightened, and in the interchange Of small
talk we spent half hour most agreeably.
He had dropped in, he said-and bis manner
indicated that be was in the habit of drop.
ping in every day---to take Mrs Halstead and
myself home with him to tea His house
keeper was entertaining the widow Wilkinson
and If we would be so obligng as to assist him
in the sustaining of his part, he would be more
grateful than he could say.
Perhaps | was little fiattcred by the
higher position assigned me than 10 the house
keeper and her visiter for, though we were
expected to drink tea together on social equali-
| ty, il was with the understanding, on our part,
| Of a condesccnsion. In that place, and at that
time, there were supposed to be no distinctions
in society Indeed, the hired man or woman
was regarded with more Difference than the
members Of the family, and extra-nice dinners
and suppers were served at such times as the
farmers and their wives required assistance !;
for, till Mr. Richards came among us we never
heard Of servants. But our provincial habits
were. novel to him, who had been born and
bred under the influence of the most aristo-
cratic portions Of our country, though he made
at first vigorous efforts at assimilation, and
with most Of his neighbors the seeming dsmoc-