The Westerly echo, & Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1854-1858, 1855-06-07
WESTERLY, R. l., THURSDAY, JUNE Z 1885,

"eN N''i"' SSN " SdiViNattOu, dUu IIlHU Oc
bid fair to become an ornament to the
bar, and one perchance of whom his
country may be proud, 1 was filed with
unspeakable pleasure. When Mary
Lee turned to me and said, George is
as brilliant as gen. my heart throbbed
with exultation. But after this passed
away, there arose consciousness of nv
own weakness and infcriority, and the
contrast was painful in the extreme.
-Four years ago, Uncle Ralph, l was
a better scholar than George and
although ] say it myself, I was superior
as a student, in every respect. Since
that he has graduated with honors at
College, and has commenced the study
of profession. He has steadily pro-
gressed in knowledge of books and of
the world, all his powers arc being de-
veloped and brought into active exer-
else. /, On the other hand, have retro
graded. | have been idling away my
time, and l do not know near as much
as when l left school. If l continue
this kind of life l shall become i'm
beetle.
But it is not altogether this that
makes me- uncomfortable. 1t is a con-
stant sense Of dependence-a conscious
ness that l cannot rely upon myself. 1
am like a man who feels vigor in every
muscle, but his hands are chained that
he cannot work. l am like one con-
conscious of power that may be made
available to secure indc pendence, bat
he is forbidden to exercise it, and in
stead thereof, few baubles are placed
before him, with which to amuse and
gil the measure of his needs. Uncle
Ralph, one cannot be happy in such
situation. Why, only just thing of it !;
how would you feel with nothing to do,
nothing to occupy your mind that in
terested you :"
/" Occupy your mind Do you want
the business of man to do? What
new-fangled notion have you got into
your Uranium now, you little simpleton ?"
I" Oh nsthing, Uncle, don't talk to
me so | love you better than any body
else in the wide world because you un-
derstand me, and can appreciate my
wants, if you will but hear me-"
" Your wants why you want to get
married, of course. That is what every
woman WantS."
Well, if l did, I should never be
allowed to marry while l live here with
brother John. | have had as eligible
offers as any young lady could ask, (and
here Netty colored slightly, but no
none of the young gentlemen were good
enough for John Summers sister Jam
nette. Indeed, one would think l was
a most remarkable parsonage, very
choice piece of womanhood, judging
from Johns behavior towards my suit
ors."
And so you are, Netta,' said the
old man, looking upon her admiringly.
a" But come, girl, tell me, did Ned Will
Jams make any advances ?"
He certainly did, and l was greatly
inclinced to ask for myself even though
it displeased John ever SO much"
John is FOOL" said Uncle Ralph,
" and l will tell him so. Ned is one of
the best business men in the city, and
his character is irreproachable. His
family too is good, good enough. 1t is
too late to remedy the matter 7"
ooh yes, John treated him meanly,
and he got offended"
"And you loved him, Meta, I know
you did"
At this, the crimson mantled her
cheeks, she covered her face with her
handkerchief, and leaning upon the old
mans shoulder preserved long silence.
Uncle Ralp felt badly too, not alto
gether for her misfortune, but memories
Of the past came up before him. His
Mary OF long, long ago, how cruelty her
father tore her from him
"I asked John yesterday" said Meta,
somewhat recovered, "ifI might not
engage as teacher in Miss Woodway's
Seminary. But he just ridiculed me,
and said be thought he should be able
to support me without my becoming q
sehootmarm,