The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-05-10
WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, MAY 10, 1855.

no wave strong enough to shake such hearts
rom their mooring; and to such there is a
sacredness in the union of souls. that I" the
stranger" or friend, "intermeddleth not with"
but we have strayed long from the family
party, now In momentary expectation of the
promised newcomer. There stands Kitty, face
TO face with her other self in the oval parlor
mirror, fastening fresh rose into her careless
iytwisted hair, which, by the way, always look
ed as IT 1t had been shaken down and caught
up again In the hurry of a game at blind mans
bun. An embroidered muslin, fastened by a
fringed sash, completed her graceful evening
costume.
She was-the truth must be owned, that
kitty, with all her mockery, had spice of ro-
nance IN her composition-sh was thinking,
with woman's curiosity, and perhaps 1.-THE Of
woman's vanity, of the tall stranger, with the
nom distinyue, Hamilton Grey
Laura was sitting ON the crimson-cushioned
lounge, with one of her dozen work-baskets at
her side-the only receptacles of disorder in
her well-regulated household. Laura had al
ways in process of fabrication an unlimited
quantity of caps, bibs, needle books, coarse
frocks, babies socks, &c, which could never be
drilled into orderly habits, until they found
themselves in ire keeping of the friends for
whom they wS'e destined; very seldom, indeed,
thereafter.
whom 2" inquired Kitty, suddenly wheeling
upon her.
A slipper case, against young Flemming's
birthday" answered Laura, holding ND SIN
gr,ar-shaped compound of worsteds and brown
Gren.
That gawky fellow! l don't know what,
Or whom, you will take up next, Laura" she
said, laughing. "If Robert were not the most
distracted of mortal men, he would be most
numerically jealous of you"
"Robert is reasonable being, fortunately"
returned Laura, as she threaded her long nee
die.
Robert and you were cut out for each other.
as plainly as pair of wedding gloves, to be
sure! But believe-no offence sister, mine
that so much reasonableness would be the
death of me! If ever do take up the yoke,
/ hope | may fall into the hands of monster
of jealousy second Othello-or," as she
caught humorous, deprecating glance from
her sister, "or, at least, of somebody who
would be sensitive enough to watch my every
word and look, and be forever haunted with a
doubt of me! There would be some excite
ment in life like that something above this
common, comfortable, peaceable, Jack-and-
GILL way OF jogging on through the world"
Kitty, child, you don't know what you are
talking about" replied her sister, indfferently.
Kitty whirled back the piano STOOL and, seat
ing herself, dashed into "calse 6riHante. -
with all her energy.
A ring at the door bell snapped the threads
of harmony. Kitty bounded to the sofa, and
seated herself in dignifed state, to receive
"Mr. Hamilton Grey"
Christopher was his herald, and Kitty looked
up-to see Ia tall gentleman, who might have
numbered thirty years, judged by the lines in
his pentagon-shaped face, overcast by pallor
and detection, feet that might have served as
anchors in storm, sternlycut lips, untrimmed
whiskers, and high, large head, surmounted by
forest of short, aspiring tufts of reddish hair
Such was the spparition that the wondering
eyes of the little mischiefmaker took in at a
glance For the space of second she sat,
blankly staring. 1t is doubtful whether she
would then have been able to resist the super
latively grave cast Of her brothers eye, in in
Producing the caller, had she not felt Mrs.
Hopes blue silk brush warningly her muslin
dress, as the latter lady arose to welcome the
gentleman, with that genuine good feeling
which accounts no fellow-being " stranger
If the conversation that ensued had been of
absorbing interest, instead of the commonplace
chat of first acquaintance, Kitty would have
profted little by it. Her eyes were too busy to
give her ears leave of action. Every shuttle of
those feet, every uneasy twist of those long
arms, or elongation Of those wide lips, awoke a
fun-twinkle in her black eye. The gentleman
was evidently little at his ease, reserved almost
to haughtiness. Fortunately, his range of
vision, as he sat coolly replying to Mrs. Hopes
friendly questions, did not take in the face of
her who was thus amusing herself at his ex-
pense. Near the close Of his brief call, ESQ.,
Hope entered, and united with his wife in a
cordial invitation to repeat it frequently.
AS the parlor door closed behind Mr.. Grey,
his worthy hostess turned instantly to thrust
young Flemmings incipient slipper-case, in
lieu of gag, between her young sisters parted
lips. 1t was well for the destinies of ali con.
cerned that she did so; for the CONFUSION of
laughter that was shaking Kitty threatened an
explosion which would have driven the innocent
subject Of her quizzing to returnless distance
"Kittyl child she tried to whisper, stern
ooh Laural" she gasped, freeing herself by
an effort from her sisters hands, Just as Chris
TOPPER re-entered the room. She turned upon
him at once.
"Nowl demure youngsterl answer for your
ISLANDERS " and with the buoyancy of a tho
rough-bred romp she pursued her twin broth
err over and behind sofas, rocking chairs, and
ottamans of all sizes.
"Ha ha " cried he, still eluding her grasps
"Ha, Miss Kitty, with plumes ready spread for
conquest! A rich young Southernerl a TO-
nance hero with a glorious name an Adonis
in perspective Ha the tables have been turn
ed upon you for oncel"
"Ohl you insufferable creature" she exclaim.
ed, at last out of breath, stopping to pick up
the silver bodkin that had shaken out of her
streaming hair.
"For mercy's sake, children, stop your noise,
and leave the brick walls standing!" exclaim-
ed Esq. Hope, nervously shutting the evenings
d" Daily"
"Where did you two pick up such model
of perfections?" began the painting Kitty.
" David Copperfeld Red Whisker' to the life
If you will plot to have your romance-heros
portrait taken, will wear it over my heart, in
a morocco case half the size of his shoe, as a
shield against all the arrows of Cupid War
"Kitty," said Esq. Hope, sharply, "you take
a poor test for Judging of mani What have
good looks to do with pushing ones way in the
world?"
ale, at least will have no difficulty in push
ing his way through the world" laughed Kitty.
"Those feet IT,
"Joking apart, interrupted Christopher, who
had sprung over the sofa to join her. with en-
phasis in his tone" joking apart, Kitty if
that man has pair of substantial pedestals at
one extremity, he carries at the other head of
which you might be proud, if it could be en-
grated upon your brothers shouldersl"
"Yes-with that crown of glory haloing its
way to fame /" suggested the lively girl
"Kitty, you are incorrigible tell you,
Hamilton Grey is no laughing stock in reality,