Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-11-21
From Godey's Lady's Book for November.
Health and Happiness.

4OoAC VIZ AoPEANS00' =
Two ladies sat together In earnest CONVEX !
sation, in a little bou doir, fitted Up more for ,
an invalid's room than a dressing room gen.
orally is. One of the ladies was a Young
blooming girl. about nineteen years of age, !
with a profusion Of light hair, and bright
blue eyes, which looked as if mischief and
pleasure were the aim Of their owner. The
other lady, who was some three or four years
older, was lying on q sofa. Her complexion
was as white, and the color on Der cheek as
rich as her companions but, alas, hers was
not the bloom of health. Consumption had
marked her for his own. Her face was very
sad, while that of her companion flashed with
indignation.
1t is cruel and unnatural, Emily, and /
wonder you will be so, and that Frank will
consent to it is stranger still. A baby, not
a year old, sent away from its mother to be
nursed in the country, and for its health =
Stuff and nonsense as if it was not as heal
thy here as anywhere.
DO you supposeit costsm me nothing, Clara?'
said the invalid, gently.
Forgive myscolding, Emily , said Clara,
throwing her arms round her sister. /
know you must feel badly but why do you
l do itY
Because it is for little Bertha's own good.
You know how delicate | have always been
!, and now | am pronounced in presumption
Indeed, indeed | will" said Clara, ear
e nestly.
n You cannot enter into my fears fully
G added Emily you, who have never known
a days sickness in your life, cannot under
stand the fear | have that Bertha will inherit
my complaints. Believe me, Clara, there is
IS no unalloyed happiness without health
n But, Emily, it must be pleasant to be sick
now and then, just to find cut how much the
$, people love you. l actually feel a pang of
ot / 800 ~ =.
er ly over you, and leaves all his pleasures away
ne from home to sit and read to his poor sick
to wife then | sometimes wonder if my hus-
bend, supposing | ever have one, will care
n! so much for his healthy, laughing spouse as
or my brother does for the dear new sister he
ny brought me some two years ago.
NJ True, Clara, l have every reason to be
mt thankful that my lot is cast among such low
ms ing friends, and, since my cross is to be i'll
ny health, that have such tender care bestowed
rat upon me but look at the other side of the
ul picture. Frank is very fond of society ; and
be although it is given up cheerfully for my
an sake, | feel white he is with me that he is
'nd longing to take me among his friends, and
Tor enjoy their pleasant gatherings then, you
Ing speak OF enyylng me my monopoly of Franks
evenings. How often do l long to send both
cts. you and he upon some pleasure seeking iaunt,
est but may not because | cannot be left alone
ate and Frank will not leave me with hired as
all sistance. He did not know, when he mar
hen ried the poor orphaned, friendless girl, that
his own and his sisters pleasures would pay
{ Is the penalty.
vine Don't talk SO Emily. You know there i.
cas- no pleasure 30 sweet as my tending you ane
hen Bertha and, if l want to 60 out, YOU ar,
me aware that l am not wholly dependent OF
tual Frank And a bright blush showed VIII,
took Franks place.
pY- W. boyo rroplorol 5.oojF.1l- e. -.
OF subject, Clara dear, which was to decid
IN a about taking Bertha to Mrs. Ellis this after
estl- noon
s. The afternoon Of the same day on whie
WIS this conversation took place. Emily, Clara
low- Emily's husband, and Clara's brother Fran
lstl- Wharton, with Bertha, the baby, started fo
and a farm in the country, about five miles fror
noes MIR. Wharton's house in town. We hay
who seen the reasons Emily had for trusting be
lltles child to the care OF another but none kne
dden the bitter struggle it cost the mother to mar
hrice with her first born. When the party arrive
and at Mrs. Ellis's, they found the lame and h,
lety three children watching for them at the doc
Us OF They went In and Sarah Ellis, the olde
daughter, undertook to show Clara, who W:
obll- about her own age, where to find some flow
leans ers. Tom, the boy, about ten years oil
Iheri- took Mr.. Wharton to see mothers new CO,
and little Lizzie, the two year old baby, wei
mond with them, while Mrs. Wharton and Mr.
light Ellis sat dow to talk about the baby: tn
e who were together for a long time before Emf
mas could go away from Bertha. Finally, Fral
would came In, and tAe party prepared to start f
9rtion home again.
had You understand, Mrs. Ellis l wa ut B,
it tina to be treated just like your own childre
lat is and allowed to lie IN the open air as mu
i in q as possible. See how soon you can rla
corn, her show such cheeks as these she sa:
desert pinchlng Lizzie's rosy ones; and now 20
zeal by, mothers little one. We shall come a
much see her very often, dame
Another trial awaited Emily. AS the q
light tumn months became cold, Doctor Greey
insisted upon her seeking a warmer china
and even held out hopes of a final cure of
1t the troubles, if she would consent to spend t
ans by winter In Havana. Bertha had improy
bitant wonderfully in the few months she had be
with Mrs. Ellis and it was decided that
alking had better remain there. To leave her b
nrally band and baby for a whole winter! EN-
ice be- was perfectly aghast at the prospect
resent her strong common sense decided that sc
} Jud- must be, and she determined to conquer
re- own weakness, and act again for the e
None Of her little one.
ntrite, X
in the 1t was a beautiful day in the early part
nsions May, and Clara and Frank Wharton W
to en- in a state Oifeyerish extraordinarily '
.ons.- coming home The pleasure anticipa
III time when she parted from her husband sis1
aselves and child was near all the trial of the .,
rms, ing, the bitter tears shed, the fears that
nensu- invalid ~mightdie abroad, were forgotten n
nded to Emily was expected every hour!
every In the corner of a carriage, which
etrable rapidly conveying her toward home,
nd the Emily she was altered, much altered, ST
against we saw her last. Her cheeks were filled
appear and the hectic flush was replaced by q o
healthy glow. Her eyes were filled v
l~elicate happy anticipations she was going hor
ng dew The carriage stopped at last, and there st
It morn Frank and Clara at the door.
any at Why Emily, how well you look = was
cen OPP first exclamation. | cannot give all that
must lowed my readers can imagine the 10,
As the that meeting.
has Emily, you won't know Bertha said {
princi- "a, as she stood by her sister, arranging
learn riding habit ; she has altered as mucl
7. so he you have
on his 'Tru t a mother to recognize her, sist
to par answered Emily, gayly.
Emily, l have made one addition to
luxury party
utmost All! Who is it.F