Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-09-03
Ca0ICg LITGRATURG.
The Two Sisters and the Two Unoles
BY MRS. CAROLINE LEE HENTZ.

BY MRS. CAROLINE LEE HENTZ.
Miss PHILLIs MANNERS was the mai
den sister of Mr.. Manners, and the female
guardian and governess of his two mother
less daughters, Leila and Elmira. One
evening, Miss Manners entered the apart
ment Of her neices, with decided air of
Vexation, and even anger.
"How provokingw she exclaimed chow
unfortunate The most notifying circum-
stance in the world !'
"What is it, Aunt Phillis ?" asked Le-
liza, sympOthzngly.
"Aunt Phillis again J" repeated the la
dy. "Will you never learn to call me
Cousin Phills2 l have told you hum
dred times disliked that formal, old-fash-
ioned title"
Forgive me, dear aunt. Well, l can
not help addressing you sol have always
called things by their right names, and as
you are my aunt, and not my cousin, l
can't see the sin of giving you the title
nature designates. Yon know haven't
been with you long-I shall become accus-
toned by.and-by to your peculiarities, and
endeavour to conform to them. Pray, tell
us what is so provokingf"
Your father has just received a letter
from your Uncle Clements. He is coming
here tomorrow, the very day expect your
Uncle Banks. Was ever any thing so pro-
voking"
Provoking, indeed p cried Elmira,
rejecting, as in a mirror, the mortified
expression of her Aunt's face.
"Dear Uncle Clement !" exclaimed Le-
LA, clasping her hands joyfully together.
3 / an - glad he is coAing--Annt Lydia
told me so much Of his goodness, piety,
talents, my heart yearns towards him. Our
mother, too, loved him very dearly"
Miss Manners cast withering look or
the glowing countenance of Leila.
"You forget his poverty and the low
society he must keep, in comparison with
his brother. Mr.. Banks is come into pos
session of splendid fortune, and will visi
US in a style suited to his rank. Their,
will be a succession of parties and enter
tainments while he is here. We shall de
rive great consequence from his wealth.
but the poverty Of your Uncle Clement
will weigh as much against us in the oppo
site scale. l never was so vexed in M
life"
l did not know that poverty, produce,
by misfortune, was a crime and degrade
tion, before, said Leila, warmly. Fo
my part, feel inclined to pay him thou
sand times more respect, in his present re
duced circumstances, than if he were roll
ing in alflUence."
Whatever your inclinations may be,
said Miss Manners, with dignity, "yo
will be careful not to offend your Uncl
Banks, by showing preference to MI
Clements. He is only half brother to you
mother, and | don't see the necessity Q
calling him uncle at all. !"
"Must we call him cousin, too p aske
Leila, laughing.
II suppose you will honour his preciou
son Charles, who is to accompany him
with that title," replied her aunt. Blu
warn you against familiarity with hin
Your Uncle Banks has a son, with whor
you may be proud to claim kindred, an
though he is your cousin, it does not pr,
VI. the possibility of nearer connection
J. would be we'll to have the property kel
- the family Young ladies, great de
may depend upon this visit of your uncle
The stay Of the last shall be very short,
it depends on nly influence"
Surely, aunt-cousin-you will n
treat him with incivilty 2" said Leila
looking reproachfully at her silent sister
81 Shall not be dictated to in my cour
of conduct, Miss Leila but whatever it
shall expect you will initiate it. Yo
sister, am confident, will do so, witho
any exercise Of authority on my part. Yo
father leaves all household regulations
me. and shall allow no interference in
arrangements"
She left the room, as she spoke, with
raised head, or rather a raised turban,
her head unusually small, was envel,
ed in such voluminous folds of muslin a
lace, IL required some discrimination to
tiee the face. surmounted by such I
mendous turret. The sisters were left
lone. and looked into each others faces
amoment, without speaking-Lelia's che
burned with an unusual colour, and
eyes sparkled with excitement.
q Thank Heaven - cried she, "tha
said nothing really disrespectfully to A
Phihis-but from you, Elmira, can
withhold the expression of Indignant +
ing. peak to me, sister, and say
scorn such sordid views, and know hov
appreciate virtue itself Say that you
unite with me in paying both our an
the respect and affection that is due to Il
that you will make no distinction in
your of wealth or circumstances. Th
if cur dear mother we're alive, what