Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-09-03

followed her aunt's directions, was also
adorned, but Leila made no alteration in
the mourning garb she wore in memory of
Aunt Lydia. Miss Pills told her that she
had never looked SO shocking in her life,
that her eyes were as heavy as lead, and
her complexion as pale as ashes. She did,
indeed, look pale, for she was agitated in the
prospect of meeting so many kindred she
had never seen, and in the dread that their
visit would be source of domestic trial to
her, determined as she was not to yield her
principles Of right to the tyranny of her
aunt, or the ridicule of her sister.
"He's come-Uncle Banks is come p
exclaimed Elmira, who had been watching
at the window, alternately with her aunt,
at least two hours. In a moment the
whole household was in bustle-a splen-
did carriage stopped at the door-a foot
man let down the steps, with as much cere-
mony as if king were about to descend.
Aunt Phillis stood on the threshold, smi-
ling, and courtseying, and trying to blush,
as large, red-faced gentlemen, wrapped
in blue cloak, slowly alighted, and walk
ed up the ag-stones, breathing libby at
every step. A tall, straight, sandyhaired
young man followed him, in whom Elmira
Immediately discovered a striking resem-
blance to the picture of Prince Albert, and
who was dressed in as princely style as
our republican costume will allow.
Welcome, thousand times welcome" ;"
exclaimed Aunt Phillis, sinking lower and
lower, while she extended both her hands
to the short-breathed gentleman, who came
painting towards her.
"Thank you-how dye do? Hope to
see you very we'll, man," said Mr.. Banks,
as soon as he recovered his breath suffi-
ciently, shaking her hand up and down,
something in the style of a pump-handle.
Ha-this is my niece, is it Blooming
as peach, glad to see your uncle, hey ?'
catching Elmira under the chin, and Civ
ing her salute that echoed to the farthest
corner of the ante-room "This is my
son Joe-quitea man grown--just like his
father--chip of the old block--ha p
Leila, who had shrunk back in the first
rush of welcome, now tremblingly ap-
preached her uncle. He was the first Of
her mothers relatives she had ever seen,
except Aunt Lydia, and her heart throb.
bed with undefnable emotion.
"What little baggage is this ?" cried
Mr. Banks giving her at the same time a
smothering embrace. "Just like her mo-
ther. This must be Liddy's child.
Leila saw tear trembling in the corner
of his clear, gray eye, and she forgot for g
moment the roughness of his manners, anG
the singularity of his dialect.
AS soon as they entered the 81 itting-roon
Mr.. Banks sank down into chair, as il
quite exhausted, calling for cushions fo
his feet in no very gentle tone. Miss Phil
lis sprang to the sofa, and catching up tn
cushion, placed them under his feet like
lapwing.
"Thank you, ma'am. Excuse me-
troubled with the gout-dreadful twinge
great invalid-poor appetite-be bette
by-and-by."
Leila thought it strange to hear m an
with such round, ruddy cheeks and robus
frame, complaining of ill-health, and sh
could not help smiling to hear her aur
declaring that he did indeed look like a
invalid, and she feared the journey ha
been too much for him.
Cousin Joe seemed as bashful and re
served as his father was free and easy, an
seating himself at respectful distance
communed with his own thoughts. Place
in such a luxurious attitude, Mr.. Bank
gradually recovered the composure of b
muscles, which had been dreadfully distol
ted, nodded and smiled at his nieces, an
calling Leila to him, made her sit dow
on his knee, and patted her on the hea
like little child.
Good GIRL" said he; "Liddy told n
all about you. Don't be afraid of your III
Gle. Rough outside--nothing but IL
bark smooth kernel inside"
Leila smiled, and began to think ST
should like her uncle, in spite of his roue
outside, but Aunt Phillis was not at a
pleased that Leila should be placed in tt
fore ground of the picture, and drawing Z
mira towards him, she said, in playf
tone, you must not slight n,y pet--yt
don't know how anxiously she has watch,
your coming. She has been almost era,
to see you
" Fine girl, too, cried Mr. Banks, pine
ing her cheeks "good healthy colour.
Got any sweethearts, hey Must 10
sharp-see if they've got the chink. Car
} live without tolls the springs--kee
them agoing-hey p
Here he put both hands in his pocke
and shook with inward laughter for sew,
, al moments; then opening his mouth, t
sound began to roll out in echoing pea
r which Aunt Phillis thought proper to &c
: again, more family, and Elmira fainl
e still. Leila alone looked grave, and /
!, gravity seemed to increase Mr.. Banl
5 mirth, who continued to laugh till he v
# obliged to hold his own sides.
II +" Can't help it." said he "never co,
IS stop-does one good-helps digestion
) troubled with the dyspepsia-obliged
e diet"
d Leila thought when she saw her un
n at the portable, complaining of
If poorness of his appetite. yet eating hea
d ly all the time, requiring dozen thil
r which were not on the table; keeping
e, servants running in every direction, ;
IN Aunt Phillis' eyes flying from dish to d
is in ludicrous perplexity, trying to ant
c. pate his wishes, that he was the strans
G. invalid she ever saw. He was very !
to ticalar about eggs, an indispensable inl
ne dent of all his meals At first they v
o. too hard, then too soft-again, there W
tn crack in the shell, through which some d.
ngl ofwater had penetrated. At length he