The Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1854-1855, 1855-06-28
THE YOUNG QUAkERESS
THE UNWELCOMED GUEST.
by MISS HARRIET y. HALFWAY.

The tea table, covered with lis snowy cloth,
was spread in Farmer Bromley's kitchen, and
Mrs Bromley was preparing the evening
meal A glance at the matron's smiling face
was sufficient to assure one, beyond doubt.
that in her younger days she must have been
possessed of no ordinary share of beauty
Though the light and shade of forty summers
had come and gone over her head her com
plexion was still clear and somewhat brilliant
and the roses of health fingered upon hei
smooth rounded cheek and there looked tC
be world Of happiness nesting quietly dowr
in her heart. iud ging from the sweet placid
expression Of her large blue eyes Her brown
wavy hair drawn smoothly back under the
scant fril of her close fitting mob-cap. and
the style of her dress. designated her as a
Quakeress With quick. short steps, she bus
tied from room 10 the table, and soon the
board was covered with all the necessaries
that constitute New England farmers sup
per. After fully assuring herself that every
thing was as it should be, she went to the out
er door. and taking the shell from over it,
she blew IA shrll blast to call her husband from
his labor; then returning. seated herself at the
table, with her knitting work in her hand,
and bunch OF asparagus twlgs at her side,
with which to brush oil each intruding fly.
that should dare to light on the tempting vi
ands spread out before them.
Mother. said beautiful girl who had just
entered the room. I'm going TO the spring to
get some soft water for father, and Will be
back In moment
A tear trembled in Mrs. Bromley's eve as
she watched the 1.-THE, graceful form of the
young girl as she bounded across the field, and
she sohliquized, half aloud, our Edith is a
pretty giIl; but her beauty is nothing compar-
ed with her goodness. O, how lonely. how
very lonely her father and myself would be
without her. | bless God that he has spared
one 10 gather with us about the hearth stone.
and to cheer our declining years
Mrs Bromley's reverie was now interrupted
by the entrance of Farmer Bromley accom-
panied by Edith. who turned some of the
spring water into u shining pewter basin, and
carefully placed by its side some soap and a
clean towel. aud as the father bathed his duS-
ty, sun burnt face in the cool, sparkling liquid,
it seemed to him doubly refreshing from the
act of kindness coupled with the use OF it
O. how much how very much is there in one
smile, word. o. act, if prompted by the law
Of love! how fondly We cherish It's rcmem-
brance!
Twas fit scene for painter, as there they
sat around the table in silence, for moment,
as was their custom. the noble looking father.
the matronly mother. and the young. beauti-
iul girl. with eyes down-cast, and hands fold
ed meekly upon their breasts; and think you
not the thoughts of their hearts were as ac-
eeptable in the of Deity as though they
had formed themselves into words upon their
lips?
80, father, said Mrs. Bromley. as she pas
sed d >h Of smoking tea 10 her husband. thee
'hinks cousin Danley'S are not over anxious
to receive visit from our Eii,h@'
Yes. Elizabeth. said Mr.. BROMLEY, as he
glanced his eve AZ Edith. who had laid down
hef knife, and sat looking inquiringly into her
mothers face. i heard them say the same
unintennonatly overheard 4 conversation be-
tween the girls. the amount Of which was
that Edith must come. but tha, they shoul3
be terribly mortified BY their countrifed ODa.
keress cousin; and thereupon they wen> in.
70 8 general discussion of the Quaker com
munj,y a large; and assure thee thai nv
broad brimmei hat, and straight coat, did not
escape; but they poured out an uaa1erciful Il
raie upon them. and me. too, and finally
wound up with the extremely generous wish
That there was not Quaker ia the whole
world
Poor Eii,h, how long had she been look
laS forward 10 the ,igne when she should be
permitted 10 visit her cousins. aud pictured in
s'o"ins coars the warm greetings that We're
20 welcome her. Bat her iather's unexpected
wor>is hal caused her giIded air-eastles To
o.er' 70 and they now lay IN ruins around her
van strong effort she resolved to bear il
"'sa stoeal indifference: but as her father pro
Seeied, and she found that not even his grav
.s'Fs had shielded him from the hearlless con
'e"pa oi her city cousins. the tell-tae color
came and Went on her cheek: and finding that
sue could not control her feeiias :. she sought
hef ehamber.-and drawing aside the muslin
curtain that shaded the window, She leaned
ner Burning brow upon the seat, aud burying