The American patriot., 1855-01-17

] L
it was an-an academy once-that's sort of Sc
lect school isn't it," with the most natural simpli-
city turning to Fred y 5 -ar
He replied by another graceful bow os
TELL your father" said he, 'that I shall do
myself the honor to call on him tomorrow He
will remember me-Frederick Lane at your SER
vices Aaa
''Yes, sir, I'll tell him word for wordn replied
Helen, tucking her sleeve round her pretty arm,
and making rather formal courtesy. Then catch
ing up her book and gathering the scattered flow
ers, she hurried towards home a. l.sI II
~ sNow, father, mother aunt and SIS exclaimed
the merry girl bounding into the room where the
family were at supper, ''as true as you and live,
that Mr. Lane, who you all talk about so much, is
first proper specimen of city beau Gas of course
he will be) all sentiment, refinement, faultlcss in
kids, and spotless in dickey-important and as
selfassured as of that ilk can possibly be-
"Promise me- all of you, that you'll not lisp
word about music reading or writing in my pre-
-because-because have plan Father
will not know, only give him newspaper
Aunt Minnie never talks-I mean to company
and mother will be too glad to see me churn but
ter and mend stockings Sis, your rattle of
tongue is the only thing fear, but if you keep
quiet and ask me no questions, will give you that
work box that you have coveted so long"
ELLA, you are not quite respectful" said her
father gravely.
''Forgve me, dear father" and her arms were
folded about his neck. 81 always mean well, but
am so thoughtless! There, ali is right now" she
added kissing him lovingly on the temple
Come, sis, what say you?"
"Why, on that condition, I'll be still as mouse;
but what's your reason?"
"Ah! that's my own" sang Helen, dancing out
of the room.
''You knit admiringly," and Fred looked on
with an unconscious smile of admiration.
Helen sat at an open window, through which
rose bushes thrust their bus hing buds, making
both sweet shade and fragrance. The canary,
overhead, burst every moment in wild snatches of
glorious music. Helen was at work on long
blue stocking nearly finished, and her fingers flew
like snow birds.
"You knit admiringly; are you fond of its''
"Yes quite l like it better than--than any
thing else-that isl mcan-I can churn quite
WE'LL"
"And do you read much?" Fred's glanccs had
travelled from the corners of his eyes, over every
table, shelf, and corner, in search Of son6Dcck or
paper. But not page, not leaf, yellow or sere,
repaid his search. M
80! yes" Helen replied, with self-satsfed
glance.
"What books? permit me to ask"
81 read the Bible good DEAL" she answered,
gravely.
SIS that all?"
"All of course not; and yet, what do we not
find in that holy volume? Hi,tory, poetry, eo-
quence, romance-the most thrilling pathos-"
Blushing and recoecting herself, she added in
manner as childish as it had been dignihed-
Gas for other bookshelf me see I've got in
my library-frst, there's the primer Counting on
her tngers,) second class reader, Robinson CRU
soc, nursery tales fairy stories, two or three ee-
ments of something, history of something bog-
raphy of some person or other, Mothers Maga-
zine King Richard the Third-there? Isn't that a
good assortment"
Fred smiled
perhaps don't know as much as those who
have been to school more," she added, as if dsap-
pointed at his mute rejoinder; "but in making
bread, churning butter, and keeping house, I'm
not to be outdone"
The young man left her more in pity than in
love, but his visits did not always so result He
began to feel a magnetic attraction which he vain
y attributed to Helen's beanty; but the truth is
her sweet artlessness of character engaging man
ners and gentleness of disposition, quite won the
city bred and aristocritic Fred. Lane There was
a freshness and refinement about everything she
said and did. She perpleXed as well as delighted
him. do s
Often, as he was wondering how some homely
expression would be received in good society,"
some beautiful sentiment would suddenly Drop
like pearl from her lips not more remarkable for
originality than for brancy.
''lf should fall in the snare' thought he 81
can educate her. 1t would be worth the trying
Itwas useless to combat with passion, so at
last he fell at Helens feet (guratively speaking)
and confessed his love.
81 care not, Helen, only be mine;" was his in
variable answer, to her eXclamations of unworthi-
ness how she would appear in fashionable soci-
ETY., &c.
| They were married-had returned from their
wedding tour, and at the expiration Of the honey
moon Fred was more in love than ever At a
grand entertainment given by the relatives of the
husband did not insist that she should depart from
her usual simplicity, and indeed, without jewels
or laces, with only that fresh white robe, simple
sash of blue, and armamcnts of fair moss roses
she was the most lovely creature in the room.
As she entered the great saloon, blazing with
light her heart failed her. "Shall I love him as
dearly" said she to herself eff find he is asham
cd of me? l cannot bear the thought; bu
should he overcome all conventional notions, ther
have l husband worthy to be honored-then shal
he be proud of his Wife"
How she watched him as he presented her t.
one and to another.
"Simple," whispered magnificent girl, resplen
dant with diamonds, as she cured her lip an,
passed by. The observation escaped neither Hel
en- nor her husband She looked at him. He smil
ed lovers smile, and only drew her closer to hi
side Many in that brilliant gathering pitied 'poo
Fred" wondering why he had martyred hmsel
On the shrine of ignorance and rusticity.