Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-09-10

his son, and preceded by Peggy, the cham
bermaid, who looked ashamed of the office
she was performing. Her uncle paused as
he passed, and laying his hand tenderly on
Eer head, exclaimed, {. God bless thee, my
child. !"
Her Cousin Charles, too, caught her hand,
and pressing it warmly, said, G 'Good night,
my dear cousin "
The words were nothing in themselves,
but there was something in the tone of bis
voice, and in the glance Of his dark,
penetrating eye, that seemed to say,
!" Thou hast no part or lotin this matter,
Could they have overhead the eonversa-
tion respecting sthem It was possible |
that the might have been left aiar, and |
Aunt Phillis' voice was shrill in her anger
She knew not that she ought to derive |
comfort from this supposition, sincs it expo
sed her aunt and her father to such oppro-
brium, but she could not help encouraging
the idea, and retired to her chamber, sooth-
ed by the remembrance of her uncle's BILE s.
sing, and her cousins affactionate y good
night"
She was permitted to remain alone some
time, for Elmira was closeted with her aunt,
probably listening to her wrathful account
of the events ofthe evening. Leila rejoi-
ced at this circumstance, as she could in
stiffness and solitude commune with her
own excited spirit. Upon reflection, she
was not pleased with her own conduct.
Principle had guided her actions, but pas
sion had mingled its base alloy with the
pure gold Of her upright intentions. She
trembled to think of the unchristian feel
ings in which she had indulged.
'EGod forgive me cried she, clasping
her hands over the Bible, which she had
opened and commenced to read, prepara-
ratory to her nightly rest, for the evil
thoughts of this night. l have hated my
aunt, despised my father and sister, and
triumphed in my own conscious superiori-
ty. Perhaps if had displayed more
meekrcss, her stubborn will might have
yielded. Uncle Clements looks Christian.
He has the evangelical countenance of Aunt
Lydia, her mild benignant smile. No bit
terness dwells in his heart. will try to
Danish it from mine"
When Elmira entered the apartment,
accompanied by her aunt, who always re-
main a while in her neices' room, before
retiring to her own, Lelia's head rested pla-
cidly on the pillow, and her eyelids were
gently closed. Aunt Phi3lis held the can
die over her to see if she were really asleep.
Fl er cheeks were flushed, and the moisture
yet glittered on her eyelids; but her soft,
regular breathing, indicated the peaceful.
ness and depth Of her slnnbers. Young
eyelids, stepped In tears, close heavily, il
sleep, and Lelia's self communion and self
humiliation had diffused a quietude ovel
her troubled soul, and hushed her passion!
into rest. 1t would seem impossible fo
any one to look upon her, in her inno
J nocence and purity, and cherish vindictiv
} feelings towards her; but the very contem
' plation of this innocence and sweetness on
ly added fuel to Aunt Phillis' ire.
"Impudent little MINK" muttered she
&C wonder how she dares to sleep p
e 1t is hardly uncharitable to suppose tha
i she would not have been sorry if a stra
:, spark had fallen on her muslin night-cal
; and scorched the bright locks that wander
if ed over her brow. Aunt Phillis sat dow
b the candle, ,seatedherself in front of the fir
\ cling her feet on the fender, fell into rt
,r plaand verie.
W ''It is very cold," said she, at lengtl
l. drawing a large shawl over her shoulder
"I am glad told them to keep up
is fire in Mr.. Banks room tonight If
d should get the gout in his stomach,
lie might die and | wouldn't have him die f
a. thousand dollars, before"
be She stopped, for she found she was thin
e, ing aloud, and because conscious Elmi
as was1istening, for she laughed aloud.
l.? "Pm sure there does not seem mu,
ID danger of his dying with his red face al
e. stout body" said she. "Uncle Clemen
IN looks like shadow to him. Aunt, realI
n Cousin Charles is very handsome, and seer
lie very much like gentleman, too He
th not dressed meanly, either and loo
proud enough, though he is poor. Dol
We you think he is handsome, aunt?"
ne "I don't think anything about him
IN replied she sharply [ don't want to hs
if bis name, or his fathers either [ wi
se. they were both in Nova Zembla."
They might as well be in Nova Ze
a bla, as the place they are in now," thoue
IRE Elmira, '' for all the comfort they get
it."
|" But she was prudent enough not to
an press this idea. She began to take off
n ornaments from her hair, and while en-
'ur ged in this operation before the mirror
; sudden thought seemed to strike her.
is " Was mother very handsome, Cou
} a Phillis p asked she, twisting string
ul- pearls round her fingers, again and aga
What question ? replied Aunt P
on, lis. "She looked well enough, believe
his nothing extraordinary. Whyw
ep, Because every one says Leila isthe
'm- age of her, as if it were the greatest c,
ap- pliment in the world. [ wonder who |
tes- hke-for am not in the least like Lei
sat TO BE CONTINUED.
ter, --~.-
An eccentric clergyman, lately a
she ding in his pulpit to the subject Of ia
ne ly government, remarked that it is OF
er 81 said, "That nowadays there is no S
~ a-. 70 thing as family government. But
raat ra1 false, all false! There is just as m
mn ,on family government now as there {
1itb was-just as much as in the DAYS of
Oh Il fathers and grandfathers. The {
difference is that then the old folks
and the governing, now it is done by
flied young ones!'
hing -.~
her, University of ~ O. More i