Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-04-18

tndL Sne was tIus CoibpeHeu to eAeIh Heiset'
since il allowed less time for indulging her OWL
feelings, now almost bordering on despair.
Mrs. Howard accompanied by her son Walter
a youth near Annals own age, arrived the day al
ter, and her consderate kindness, and tende
sympathies, greatly soothed the heart of the lon
orphan.
CHAPTER v.
i "Life's dark waves have lost the glitter,
Which at morning tide they love.''
/ 'Let us then be up and doing,
| With heart for any heart"
Anna Eastland was easily persuaded to lsav,
her now desoate home, and return with Mrs
Howard to Philadelphia. With an aching heart
and fearful eye, she turned last lingering lool
to the graves OF her beloved parents, and babe ;
mournfu adeu to the home of her childhood.
Nothing was omitted by her affeclionate aun
and warm hearted cousin, in whose house sht
soon found herself domestcated, that could sootht
her feelings, or in any way administer TO he
comfort; and beneath These gentle influences, ant
the support of that Christian faith she had made
her trust, her dropping spirits gradually revived
so that in few weeks she had become sufficient
y calm to reflect upon what course she shonlt
pursue, as means of future support. But {
mere pittance remained of her fathers ample re-
sources. and she resolved that her aunt should moi
suffer the inconvenience she felt might accrue
should she remain an inmate of the family.
Mrs. Howard had once been wealthy, bu
through mismanagement of her agent, she expe
renced heavy losses, and was finally forced t.
keep boarding house to support herself, and en-
able her son To finish his education. That sor
was now pursuing the study Of law, and his san
guine mother INDUCED great hopes of future sue
cess from the uncommon talents he already ex
hibited.
After considerable reflection, and frequent con-
versations with her aunt, who at first sirenuous y
opposed the plan, Anna at length concluded Il
address letter to friend of her father living in
Virginia, asking his assistance in procuring her
situation as governess. At the expiration of a
few weeks she received in reply to her letter, In
formation that one Mr.. Chester living in the val.
ley of Virginia wished TO engage an accomplished
teacher for his family; Mr.. Lee, to whom Anna
had written, added that although he was not per
sonally acquainted with the family, yet he hoped
nevertheless that she would he agreeably stua,
ted. Anna at once accepted the offer, and pre-
pared to leave the hospitable home of her aunt
thus resolutely launching her fragile bark. TO be
guided by her own tremulous hahf through HES
treacherouS ocean.
Waller Howard kindly offered to accompany
his cousin upon her Journey, and at the end OF a
few days they found themselves at the residence
of Mr.. Chester. 1t was night when they arrived
and weary and sad at heart, Anna felt but little
inclined to converse, or even note much around
her.
Mrs. Chester was from home, but they were
received witha frank cordiality, by Mr.. Chester
1 nh narnnivad Dartnnk
an abrupt honesty. Than any particular pulsh ol
refinement The house was large and evidently
furnished with an attempt at display, rather than
with view to comfort and convenience. After
tea Anna pleading fatigue, requested to be shown
to her apartment This proved TO be large
room, like the rest of the house osienlaiiously
furnished but at the same time cheeress and un-
inviting from total want of taste and adaptation
in its arrangement
Next morning Walter took an early but reluc
tant leave of his gentle cousin, whispering cheer
ing words of hope for brighter daysto come. An
ma retired to her own room, and there for while
abandoned herself 20 the feelings of sadness and
desolation that rushed thickly upon her, realizing
now but too bitterly how truly she was alone in
the wide world She sat long time musing up
on her dreary prospects; an occasional sigh, or
silent tear, betrayng The troubled thoughts with
| in. Feeling however that this was disirustful
and sinful. she at length reused herself. and
sought diversion in reading, and remained en-
crossed with her books till the dinner hour.
The Chesers belonged to that class of people
who comparatively uneducaied, and destitute of
refinement or sensibility, presume much upon
| their wealth, and assume TO be what they term
"aristocrats." They were therefore exceedingly
tenacious of the standing in society to which they
considered that wealth entitled them, and like all
such persons never failed to betray their original
characteristics by continual assumption of superb
ority over persons suspected of honest poverty.
and by proportional fawning upon wealth, and
supposed standing in straightforward ac-
quired. OF course the children of such parents
would be but i'll trained, and Anna soon discover
ed that in addition to rudeness. some of her charge
were dull to discouraging degree. She found
indeed many difficulties TO contend with, for he.
sides the superintendence of her troublesome
school, it required all the fOrbearance she could
command to enable her to endure Mr.. Cheser's
coarseness. as well as much diplomacy to prevent
an open rupture between herself and the parents
Of her refractory pupils. Yet she toiled ana
struggled on, supported by the consciousness that
she was in the path of duty, and trusting for hap
piness in that Empyrean Of all youthful minds
the hope-tinted, looming future
CHAPTER VI.
"Our life is mountain path,
path of toll and pain
And when upon IFS rough ascent
little way we gain
What boots it turning back 10 trace,
The troubles that beset our race"
At the expiration of Annals first term, which
brought the Christmas holidays she was most "a
greeably surprised by the arrival of her cousin
Walter. one whom she cuu Id not fail to perceive,
became daily more and more interesting to her or
phaned heart. HIS visit could not but be source
Of deep and real pleasure TO her who had 50 long
been deprived of the society of congenlal mind
and heart
When leaving, after short weeks stay, 10
Annals great surprise, but greater pleasure, Wal
ter informed her that with his mothers apprOba-
tion, he had determined 10 finish his studies at
the University of Virginia; thus he would, he
hoped, be both ''near and dear" To his sweet cou
sin, and would now promise TO see her often "a
promise which our readers may readily imagine,
rave hencefurth brighter glow to her day dreams
of the future
During all this time she heard nothing from Al |
ice or Mrs. Stanley, although she had, previous |
to leaving Philadelphia, written TO the latter. tell
ing her plans and naming the place of her expect
cd residence. Knowing that all Mr. SANKEY'S
pr property had passed into the hands Of creditors
She SUPPOSED that the destitute parents had found
home with their wealthy daughter.
Not knowing Ace's address, she wrote to
Mrs. Clayton, a friend in Richmond, in hopes of
obtaining some clue to the family. Mrs. Clay
TOMS letter in reply gave the information that
'.Mr. Slauy died of apoplexy soon after his nsol-
vency. that then Mrs. Stanley wrote to Alice beg
pinq assistance, which however was rather un.
graciously declined by Mr. Danvers. Mrs Stan
low meantime G,und a home in the house of