Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-07-15

son dross. for il was that which reminded the
housckecper Of her giddiness
MIR. Screwhard sighed, and repeated, that
| life was a little span, adding that ~ seemed
to him but u day since he was young, IKE Het-
Now. Mr.. Screwhard was quite in the carly
prime of life, being near about thirty years OF
age, and Mary smiled maliciously at the mel.
aneholy allusion, but affecting to receive y sin-
cerely, arose, and, placing her hand with sister
ly freedom on his bald head, said, though nc
looked 80 patriarchal she would not have sup
posed him more than forty-fve. The accred-
tied years made him vince, and the more, per-
haps, as the naughty lady, motioning me TO
follow, swept from the room, without excuse OF
intimation AS paused at the door, receiy-
cd gracious smile and . fatherly benedic-
ton
IAN admirer Of yours ~ said, as we enter
ed q email, but simply elegant chamber, which
was Mary's study. No!--yes," she replied,
afor believe the fellow likes me; but then he
would not marry an actress, you know, though
he might condescend to the sister OF one, Tor
the sake Of the purple and fine linen"
" Can he be 50 Designing" ] asked.
"Not more 80 than other men, believe
replied Mary, abut he has quick eye for
wealth, and quick step for eminenccs--he al
ready occupies an enviable position, and is one
Of the rising men Of the city,
His habit, she said, was to make friends of
all tho men, women, and children, he met--to
learn all they knew about all things and hold
it in reserve for some occasions in which it
could benefit him. He frequented all places
that were open to him, signing sometimes,
she was inclined to believe as he passed ope-
ras and theatres, and in all ways availed him
self Of all means whereof he could learn any
thing, great or small.
He knew then, and could forever remember,
she assured me, the length and color Of the
ribbon on my neck, and the probable cost Of
my slippers
But these were peculiarities, or foibles not
really faults, and, after all, Mr.. Scrowhard was
a worthy young man, and, but for the exceed
ing broad surface he gave to some real riety,
would be likeable person.
could not but think, as heard II w
and trembling tones Of Hetty, in conver .t.on
with him, how differently she would have spo-
ken of him. With calm, cold, distrustful eyes,
Mary saw--not 80 she--to her he was all in
all he had taught her in the Sabbath school,
he had prayed by her sick bed, had encouraged
her little efforts to be good, and useful, and,
above all, had praised her beauty, which no
man else had DONE
Gentle, loving Hetty--perhaps that night,
in all the great city, beat no happier heart; and,
with something of its happiness reflected upon
us resumed my old seat and Mary the
thread of her story, as follows:
asWho on earth can be coming at this
hour?, exclaimed Martha, glancing at the
clock, which said it was half past eight; and
taking Hetty between her knees, she began to
unto her frock, as though, whoever was COM
ing should be made aware of the unseason-
ableness of the hour. Come in,' said my fa-
ther, at the same time shutting from view the
evidences of q scanty supper and strange
gentleman entered the room. CHANGING at
Martha, and the undress Of the child, he apol
cgized briefly and politely for the intrusion,
making known his GRAND without accepting
the preferred chair, and holding his hut in a
way to prevent the snow from dropping ON the
floor.
He was our neighbor, Henry Richards, but
| recognised him previously to his saying so,
for the voice which had heard on the night
of his arrival seemed to me familiar. His
child, ho said, was sick, dying, he feared-and
being stranger among strangers, he had been
forced to draw on the kindness Of his neigh
bors,, not too largely, he hoped.
!" remarked at the time and often after re-
membered it, as an index of character, that
when he had made known his errand grave
as it was, he followed il Immediately with some
pleasantly about the stormy night, shaking
the snow-hskes from his thick brown curls,
and the light laughing in his blue eyes, the
while. In the most heart-rending circumstan.
ces, he was alive to the disagreeable state Of
the weather and the acquisitions Of gentle
breeding.
martha took Hetty on her knee, just as
she would have taken up stick and when
she leaned on her bosom, for she was tired and
sleepy strengthened her to an upright position,
and replied to Mr.. Richards, that che would
have her daughter 20 and watch with the
child, indicating me. She then jumbled to-
gether, mcstinopportuncly, an invitation to our
neighbor to remain and pass the evening, and
the communication Of tho fact that che hal
just returned from a donation party, at Parson
Goodman's. OF course, Mr. Richards declined
the invitation, and in reply to the intelligence
concerning Martha's late movements, be said,
'Ah, madam, have you so?' bowling slightly,
and smiling, as though gratiied.
ITo BE CONTINUED