Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-06-20
JUNE 90.
C~urrrpauAiHg Ghitur's Drpnrtmrnt.
R. O. STAPLES, PORTSMOUTH, VA.
NETTIE
OR THE DEBT OF IMPATIENCE.
BY MARTHA MAINEs BUTT.

## N##. -
Isn't it too bad? Here I've been
waiting for half a hour. declare I'm
Just tired : death. Ones patience is
forever tried. / have half a mind to
lay aside my bonnet and say that / will
not 90 at all. I verify believe some
gentlemen think they can make engage
NIGHTS and then break them as they
choose"
= "Why, Nettie at it again? Oh, ]
fear your inpatient disposition will yet
cause you a great deal Of trouble. Pray
what is the matter now p
"The matter? Why enough's the
matter! Here / have been waiting .
half hour for Edmond Laurie, and he
has not made his appearance yet ; /
nm sure he will never come"
"Wait with patience, my dear |; you
must not expect every desire of your
heart in a moment. Ihave lived much
longer in the world than you have, and
if you will take an Aunt's advice, you
will be more patient"
81 am sure / do not see how any one
in the world can keep their temper
when they are disappointed besides if
he does not come very soon, it will be
too late to take a walk. / verify be-
lieve the sun is almost down.now."
"Wait, dearie be patient he will
come directly /; if you do not mind, you
will distort your face so much that it
will be almost impossible to get it in its
proper place again. There is the door
bell now. I'll wager it is Edmond"
The entrance of Laurie interrupted the
conversation between Nettie and her
aunt.
"Well, really, Mr.. Laurie, | think
you have taken your time, indeed
More than q half hour has elapsed af-
ter the appointed hour. | began to
get out of all patience in the world, and
have a good mind not to 90 at all. |
don't like to wait a minute on any oc-
casion whatever"
81 am extremely sorry, Miss Harvey,
but circumstances over which / had no
control prevented my coming before
However, l hope it has not put you to
any inconvenience"
ooh, no! not any in the world, but
then you know | cannot bear to wait a
single minute"
The reader can easily imagine the
surprise which Nettie's conduct caused
upon the occasion, and what strange
thoughts must have sprung up in the
mind of Edmond Laurie. He never
knew that Nettio was other than thu
fair and beautiful being which his fancy
had painted her, or that she possessed
that deplorable trait of character-IM
PATIENCE. Heretofore she had ap
peared perfectly lovely in his eyes; bu
now, much of the outside varnish ha
been rubbed off, and a slight view of he
real character had been obtained.
And now, friendly reader, while tn
two are taking a pleasant promenad'
we will endeavor to give q brief descril
ton Of Nettie's character and person
In the first place, she was extremel
pretty-of fair complexion, blue eye
and dimpled checks-a sunny flow
curls shaded her arching brow, and b
few summers had passed over her he;
to develope her charms. With such
share of personal attractions, no wond
she should appear vain, as she was mu
admired and sought after by the bea'
of her native city. We do not say s.
possessed q bad temper, not by al
means; but then the slightest circu
stance would try her patience in a n
ment. Her mother died when she "
but an infant, and her Aunt assum
the guardianship and entire control
her. Again and again did she reno
strate with Nettie upon her impatie
disposition, and did all in her power
effect a reformation, but it proved
f~ruitlcss attempt. Nettie never seem
to think her. impatience to be a disadvi
tage to her, and when her Aunt wo1
speak of It's evils and the pain it mis-
some day cause her, she would cons
herself with the idea that she could c.
ceal it from those she wished. ]
Nettie, unfortunately, betrayed hers,
Edmond Laurie could but see, the I
ment he entered the room, that Net
had become very inpatient, because
having to wait q half hour and it
evident to his mind from the name,
which she spoke, that she was displeas
Edmond was truly hurt at her c
duct towards him on the occasion,
endeavored to overlook it. He CO
not however exactly feel satisfied t
Nettie would make him q happy W
because of this propensity. So, to
her character still further, he bethou
him of a scheme, by which her pate
might be put to the trial. He m
an appointment for a ride; the ever
came, he waited half an hour over
time mentioned, and finally entered
residence without Gas was his Gust
ringing the bell. Nettie had com
ted her toilet, and was talking at a
id rate.
CT do think Edmond Laurie h
great deal of assurance to treat
thus" she said. "This makes the
ond time he has acted SO. lido dec
it is insupportable, and | will not st
it. l shall give him his walking I'll
the moment he proposes to me !; f