The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-10-19
For the National Era.
H OIL Y o. O D .
By ALICE CAREY
CHAP. VII.


Tho story broken off abruptly at the close
of the last chapter, was subsequently joined on
as follows:
As told you, $50 Mary bcgan,) renewed
the compact with myself would wait till
after the exhibition was past and then would
say TO Mr.. Richards, distinctly, 81 love you,
with all the powers Of my nature love you
you have said your love was not less than mine |;
if this be true, you will make me your wife
make plain my fate-and from this time let us
be one, or two.D
This resolve laid carefully away, and ev-
cry day said to my hesrt "you shall be sat-
isfied ere long, The suspicious which Rose
had communicated were steadily roofing them
selves deeper and deeper in my mind; and yet
scarcely 30, either, for rather felt the evidence
against my hopes ACCOMPLISHING than any pos
tive increase of fear. There could not be
such villany in the world as the girls surmises
indicated; and, moreover, was determined not
to be baflsd. The child cannot be made to
believe that its playmate can die, and so it is
with US all-wisdom must como mostly through
experience. All my energies bent in one d.
rection; the approaching gala day was to be a
triumph for me. | selected parts of "The
Tempest" for my reading on the occasion, and
was resolved to surprise my friends, and e.
pecially one of them, by tho ability which
should characterize my performance. l had
no teacher Of elocution; was ignorant that
any was needed; but relied solely on my nat
ural powers, and genuine appreciation of the
author, for the effect of my reading.
What happy hours passed in shaping all
things to my will It may seem to you now
like a small ambition, but you must not Judge
of me at that time from your own knowledge
hit Al
in the position l occupied, and you will then
eco that little school exhibition was a great
event in my life No possible combination of
attractions, however excellent, could create in
@ city like this such enthusiasm rs that event
created in our neigbborhood. For ten miles
round, it was the general theme of converse
ton between fathers and mothers, brothers and
sisters and the children looked forward to it
as to day Of Paradisal enjoyment Even
Mr. Richards entered heartily into our rustic
devices for the occasion. The prettiest epot of
woodland on his farm was selected. and prepa-
rntions commenced month in advance of the
appointed day. Planks and boards were
brought from the near city, and temporary
seats, for the accommodation Of thousand
persons, were speedily arranged, and sort of
rude pulpit erected, using the great forest trees
for pillars; and the decorating of this stand, or
rostrum, as Timothy called it. elected our most
careful endeavors. Four beech trees, which
nature seemed to have adapted to our purpose,
were chosen as the supports Of the eoaffoldipg ;
the platform, an oblong square, was laid four
or five feet from the ground; and the slvery
columns of the beeches frightened here and
there with green and brewn and yellow patches
of moss, were further ornamented By the twin
ing around them of wreaths of the large bright
autumn flowers. Lamps were suspended from
the boughs overhead, by chains made of the
smooth, shining limbs of the yellow willow, and
the leafy branches, naturally dropping, were
taught to droop yet lower, and 80 woven TO-
gether ~ to make green and pretty curtain
about the platform, leaving only the side facing
the audience open.
The eAort, thick grass was swept clean as a
parlor with tho brooms which the village girls
brought from their kitchens, and every dead
Dough was carefully Topped from the trees,
and the faded leaves that fell day by day re-
moved ss often.
But the preparations were not limited 20
the ground iteclf; and while the young men
of the neighborhood were busy in erecting plat
forms, laying seats, and making q path from
the main road to the place of assembly, hang
ing gates, and opening gaps in the fences dig.
ging springs along the banks of the near
stream, and erecting booths in convenient 10.
calitiee for the sale of cider and beer. cakes
and pies, the young ladies were no less sctive
in various preparations, not only for the Deco
rations of the grounds, bat also of themselves
The bed curtains were taken down from che
beds Of the guestohambers at home, in de-
spite of the circumstances of careful mothers,
who at length yielded tho point, and conuIorted
each other by sagely saying, girls would be
girls-s fact as indisputable now, I suppose,
as ct the time of our wonderful fete. So the
curtains came down, as said, to be made into
pleasant wood tents, wherein the oonfeotions
might be partaken of in quiet seclusion by
friends and lovers. Dozens Of these curtain
closets were to be seen, some carpeted with
the grass only, and others having faded quilts
Of patchwork on their floors, and the tables
and chairs from the parlors at homo for their
furnishing. A little apart, yet conveniently at
hand, long arbor Of fresh-cut boughs was
made, and immediately beneath, table was
construoted, by the driving of posts in the
ground, and rude adjustment of beams and
boards Benches were placed on either side
to serve for chairs, and the best china and Ia
ble-linen In all the neighborhcod was brought
into requisition without stint
Some fsw persona 10 be sure, were disaffect-
ed, and said they would have nothing to do
with such foolish displays; that their table
cloths and their china were not to be used in
| tho woods but for the most part the feeling