The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-10-19

LIE, an autumn 20 lovely. Perhaps il was TIA,
my eyes were quickened to apprehend beauty
know not how it is with other natures
but for myself good fortune humbles me, and
am ready TO bless tho meanest wayfarer, and
70 DIVIDE my harvest with him. The most com
monplace things take the coloring of romance
when any good thing has befallen me, and
seem 70 feel Gods hand beneath me and about
me. ! am not Of those who smilingly kiss the
roo my nssure is TO put il back with the
strength have, and, if must yield, | WELD
with rebellious spirit / have tried to sub
due this pride, but in vain. When have done
something for which the world frowned, | have
said with my lips, |" am sorry,n while nv
heart beat wild with exultation.
| renember how fruitful the orchards were
that year, and how long the grass kept green,
and Of loving the sunsets and tho late flowers
with deeper love than had ever felt for them
before and | trace all this, now, to the fount-
am wkSch brightens everything clsc
! 1 pa sed hours in devising the toilet in which
kmy LII ae triumph was to be made for, that
our fs, day was to be my triumph, would
not suffer myself to doubt With simple eie.
1 gance taste, in view of my uncultured and
careless life, selected a dress of white muslin
and a few deep scarlet flowers for nv black
hair. | could not make better choice now
though my wardrobe has been something en-
larged since then. i was young, and could
well afford to dispense with ornaments Tim.
othy commended my selection, assuring me
that he could not himself have made happier
choice.
But he continued, after writing with the
point OF his cane on the grouud-a fashion
with him whenever he was perplexed-
| How is the philosopher Christopher to be
furnished forth for the deficiencies of his ap-
parelling will never be spprehcnded by mind
wandering, like his, through the universe
| We will ask him to road one of his leo
lures" said l. and 30 send for the village tai
Tor, and have his measurement taken while be
is obliviousu
The, suggestion was in jest, and was
not little surprised when, an evening OF
two sster, the schoolmaster presented him.
self having slung across one shoulder an old
piilow-case filed with something which
rightly OWNED to be his lectures on cosmogra.
ply. Rose lighted half dozen lamps, and
placing tho table in the middle of the floor,
Christopher took his place, and, emptying the
contents of his pillow-caso on the carpet, re-
qucstei our undivided attention. When his
selection was made, Mike and Roee stationed
themselves at an outer door, peering within
part of tho time, and the other part laughing
their good will at each other. Timothy tipped
back his chair, and played silently on his flute
with his fingers, turning his face aside from
myself and Mr.. Richards, who sat beside me,
idly dallying with tho tassel of my apron.
Our exhibition was within week and as
we saw the threadbare knees and tattered ell
bows OF our philosopher, we experienced some
uneat mess at the non appearance of the tailor
We were not however, destined to any pro-
iongel continuance of uncertainty, for pres
emily little man, not more than five feet high
| certataly, and having on pair of narrow
shoulders very big and very bald head, hustled
| in, and, taking from his pocket o measuring
| tape, inquired who it was that required his
| services Timothy indicated the philosopher
with nod, and, elevating himself on the sack
of lectures, the little Id man went forward
wlsh his work, which Lac completed, without
eliciting the slightest notice from the lecturer
| He was in one of thoso elevated moeds which
take no ooguizance of ordinary things. Now
and then, as he proceeded, he inquired whether
we were edited; upon which Mike and Rose
laughed, Timothy smiled, and Mr.. Richards
| said, excellently well. So we were all en-
gagged, when Doke, like an evil demon, thrust
his lean visage inside the door.
Mr.. Riffsrds," he said, al have brought
you letter from the village post Office. 1t
says on the outside it's to be forwarded quick,
and 90 brung it, bsin as was there"
"fVhat have you in your mouth 2" asked
Timothy, speaking almost harshly, for he
seemsd to understand that the letter BODIED
evil.
"Noffen but piece of fedsr wood" said
Dokt, ait taftes good"
Timothy did not laugh, as usual. Doke
seemed not to interest him, and, biting thought
fully at the head of his cane he appeared
nm Of ufo
ces.
When Mr.. Richards glanced at tho letter,
he placed it unopened In his pocket saying,
in 30 onder-tone to me- {" from my BROTHER"
but there was q something in his look and
manner that arrested my attention !; and, with
out intending to do 90 fixed my eyes sharply
upon him
"Mary," he said, and his voice was low, and
almost tremulous, I" | have something to tell
you" | was startled at the solemnity of his
manner, for my thought was that some 9, cat
evil had como to him; and, forgctfal of pro-
priety, took up his hand, and, pressing It to
my lips, was asking if danger threatened him,
when he Withdrew il, 60 offended, and in SO
naughty manner, ss to disooncers and nor
tfy me beyond expression. And Doke, to add
to my eonfusion, il anything could have done
50, said, grinning a. he spoke, that bis appetite
".
| he was never tempted for TO eat live mans
hand. Ii wasn't the kind of souse for him for
to eat.
go home!p said Timothy, speaking as be
| would have spoken to q dog and, chewing
hard on bis stick, the boy Withdrew, or sneaked
away.
DIR Mchards shortly afterwards complained
OF indiAposition, and retired to his library
Rose beckoned me aside, and Timothy hobbled
out into the garden, leaving the lecturer with
no audience. Mike is is true, remained, sit.
ting on the door-sill, but fast asleep. Ali re-
gardlese however, Christopher read on, till
| the cottents Of the pillow-csse were greatly
dimineacd, suspect, for how or when he dis
covereA that his listeners were gone, know
not; Ianly know the lamps were found burnt
out, ifSthe morning, and Christopher gone,
pillow. Sase and all
| .Whaa Rose and were alone, she said to
me, "!V Mr.. Richards didn't tell the biggest
story y ut ever was that letter was not from
his bro her, any more than IL was from me.n
| "Ho do you know!n asked, in displeas-
ure, fol- / was vexed that she should have any
knowlf tge of it, or of my interests.
Be ause,n she replied, in no wise daunted,
"there was lie in his face, as big as the moon
in the Ky, when he said so.n
| "Yot are certainly very discriminating
and oh CRYING young lady" replied. "Per-
hsps u a could tell what the contents are, you
are 80 ssisen
| aNo / can't" she answered @but know
somethtng-its from that woman what he has
the picture Of; if | had fifty dollar bills, I'd
bet them all on that
"Wtat makes you think sof" said, speak
ing q little more softly and sadly no doubt, for
could not conceal my deep interest
BECAUSE" she said, "Doke came In the
kitchen, and showed the letter to me, and it was
/ L. L. 10 xIx~k ot1k 6ok