The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-01-17

Fanny -HGUeTS-1 ne 'yo''0'
Letters truly can tell us multitude of things,
Int we presume our readers would rather hear
and see the persons themselves upon our stage;
therefore, he will glance into a small corner
room in the poor house, now the residence OF
the Widen family.
While Rosa was engaged in writing to Hilda,
the Merchant and his wife were seated in the
aboye-uamei room, engaged in a most interest
ing conversation.
..Heavens. Widen, my dear old man. said
the lady, caressing her husbands emsciated
checks. what blessing does it not always
hiring. when misfortune is borne with such for
,itnle and selfdenial, such patience and sub
mission. As We have shown"
And herewith Madame Widen sighed, and
shed few tears of senSibility.
Her husband said, in the kindest manner,
:. Yes. nv dear Brigitta Marie, it is Gods mer-
cy. AMI a great piece of good fortune and now
1 must think of some one to join me in my
business.
Il have thought of that already, my DEAR"
said the lady, suggesting two or three names,
n which her husband shook his head. "Ah,
well. we'll" continued she; "time enough for
that: we shall find no difficulty about getting a
partner. This most joyful message has rather
added nv head and dulled my usual penetra-
Ton. How strangely things come about! /
slvlys said that this man was to have some
inpor;apt influence in our family; and must
think how we shall give him hearty welcome,
and entertain him on his arrival"
Yes, indeed, he deserves it" said Mr.. Wi
den; "bat cannot conceive why Rosa wishes
to be alone 50 long. Can you explain that, my
loye?r
"Oh, old man, the thing explains itself. The
transition from care and affection, to Joy, hap
pness, and competence, is as agitating, to so
delicate a being as Rosa, as the reverse has
been The dear child must need few hours
10 collect herself feel so happy myself, that
l really hardly know where my head is but
this tell .you-the first thing to be done, is to
get out of this place; | should die, am snre,
il had TO stay here any longer. All, our beau.
tiful, large housed" and the lady sighed, de
youty folding her arms. "Alss, that we shall
never get ii again-never!
There are plenty OF other large and beauti
iul houses" said her husband, to comfort her
"Wheh we once have the means, we shall get
houses fast enough. But there is stir at the
door-Rosa must be coming"
She entered the apartment, slowly and silent
y. Her very step had denoted to an attentive
ear that it was anything but propitious to the
hopes which had formed the subject of her pa
rents conversation. Far, however, from giving
a aJalent's heed to her daughters pale fea
fares Madame Widen sprang up to meet her
and, cIasping her with impetuous rapture to hel
bosom, exclaimed, with unfeigned delight
Ny child, my own Rosa, how blessed, how
much 20 be cnvied, are you! | know and feel
from the sen.atiOns Of my own heart, how full
YOURS must be Of JOY and happiness. OF course
you have not forgotten to thank God, who has
disposed everything so wonderfully for the
best"
." have prayed fervently," said Rosa, raising
her fearful eyes to her mothers coGutenance
prayed that my beloved parents might be able
70 forgive me, that, on this occasion, for the
Last time in my life, | am constrained to be dis
ooedient to them. My heart will not speak fol
'srben; and he is too noble, too generous, for
ne TO be capable of offering him my hand
tden ny heart cannot go with it,"
Madame Widen, without the least affectation
STAGGERED three steps backwards. She was SC
p,ot0uHdy sorrow and wonder stricken, tina,
el~ was perfectly incapable of giving vent to
her feelings in one of her usual effusiobs, and
She even forgot 70 faint on the contrary, she
lid ali she could to brace up her nerves, to en-
able her 10 support herself. She was utterly
unable 10 speak; aud, leaning her head upon
her hands, sat down again in perfect silence
Even Mr. Widen himself stood as If be had
been transformed into q statue, and stared
B'oomliy at the young girl, who scarcely ven
tGred 10 breathe
he poor man was a p;tiable picture Of dis.
appointed hope. And then elapsed short
ume' until her mother began to recover from
ne shock she had sustained: and, az her blood
AGAIN began to circulate in her almost torpid
SEEMS, she felt anew the irresistible impulse to
hat, what do | hear, unworthy, naughty
calld? she exclaimed, nearly crying. "What
Is tbs Lear? You refuse to accept the hand
81 50 good, so honorable, and so rich d man
aud that, TOO, because your heart does not speak
!ar him, if you ever had heart Oh, my
heavens that mother should live to see this
Did your heart speak for Captain Ferdinand
pray, when you allowed yourself to lie engaged
ata 1ov
over head and ears in debt, too-and one wht
I'D not even love you? What foolish fancie.
nave you got into your head now? You mus
consider that it is your duty to repay your poo
parents for all the tenderness and kindnes.
winch they have devoted to you. Tell me, m,
own Gear, DO you not see that? Speak, m.
'n'i4-lt Is your affectionate, good mamma wht
conlures you.n
Vn, my mother, so much as this was no
needed. No. these admonitions TO my duty
'-iese appeals to my flial feelings, would be un
iI0eeSsaFy, were | only capable of obedience
'I'' oa heavens, / should be infinitely wretch
uld L suffer myself to be persuaded to con
-'H', Taen my heart loudly says no. Forgiv'
'V.' Chiio, and have compassion upon herl"
anu she stretched her arms beseechingly to
aus her mother, who, pale and trembling
~ TeSeated herself upon the sofa.
s,.h lFanquillize yourself, my child" said he
-,uer IN such soft and faltering voice, tina
penstTated every fibre OF Rosa's heart. H.
gpeHeo ms arms, and she threw herself, weep
*, upon his bosom. 81 know myself what i
al - De unhappy, and will not abuse my pater
- authority, since it is thoroughly irreconcils
,5on Ttn your own feelings. No, my child, yo
5 -ar retain your liberty, and ] will patientl
e1I,s On my burdensome, inactive life, the re
SaS my own errors. well know that 20
Cd not refused, had you felt it possible to az
'eGe TO our wish"
cbaa1. arose, and pressing kiss on Rosa's pal
eI' moist with tears, added
de you nave your answer ready for the nc
- HOhorable Garben, give 1t To me: / WI