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

telling her uncle that she would have al
room Immediately prepared for his recep-
ton. She met her aunt on the stairs, whose
clouded brow would have terrified her
from any purpose, in which her own graf
ifcation was concerned.
"Cousin Phillis," said she, trying to
propitiate her, by giving her the name
She loved, 'tUncle Clements is very much
fatigued, and wishes to retire.I suppose
he will occupy the blue chamber"
"The blue chamber r repeated Aunt
Phillis. "And what right have you to
think that he will occupy the luechamber?
The very best chamber in the house."
Because" said Leila, gathering cour
age as she proceeded, " because there is
no other unoccupied sleeping--room, suf-
6ciently comfortable at this season Of the
year. There is the one which has been ap-
propriated to Uncle Banks, certainly as
handsome as the blue chamber. Then there
is fathers, and yours, and sisters, and my
own-all warm and pleasant. The others
have no fre-places, and you would not sure
ly assign them to an invalid, such cold
nights as these"
AuuO AllAlo BdNS 1ClId d lOOh WulCA
often made others quail, bat she returned
it with an undaunted glance
"Silence is assent" cried she, springing
down the steps, "Pll tell Peggy to kin
die fire in the blue chamber"
"If you d." said Aunt Phillis, shaking
her fore6nger at her from the platform on
, which she stood, with the gesture of a
Pythoness; "if you do, you'll repent it in
dust and ashes"
, Leila paused. Her spirit was reused.
/ She felt that she was the eldest daughter
of her fathers house, and had right to
command, when her fathers reputation for
justice and hospitality was thus endanger-
ed. She feared, however, scene of dis
t graceful violence, which might reach her
}, uncle's ears, and though almost despising
y herself for the act, she condescended to
plead and reason She went back to where
her aunt stood.
r "You do not reflect aunt, What strange
if appearance it will have-such marked
:. distinction between two brothers. The
. very servants will talk Of it, and report it
J. to your neighbors. We shall be condem-
n ned by all as mercenary and unkind"
g " don't care if we are, MISS" retorted
Is she, I" it's none of their business, nor yours
either. AS to the chamber L We allotted to
l. him, I've no doubt it's palace to what he
e ever slept in before. What's he, l should
s like to know-a poor, penny-stripped fell
low, a hanger-on of rich relations, codger
It worth nothing but the coat on his back,
; and that almost out at the elbows, that he
S hould be served so daintily? He had nc
a business to stick his nose where he's not
:. wanted If he don't like his accommoda
;. tious, he may go away, and the sooner the
It better"
" Aunt Phillis paused to take breath, as
S, person drinking glass of soda sometime
Of stops from the rapidly of the efervescenc'
e. but the angry fluid continued to fo1
in from her eyes.
It's "I will appeal TO my father" said Lelis
er g and, thank h eaven here he comes"
Mr.. Manners at this moment opened th
as street door, and looked, with little trep
he dation, on the theatrical figure of his siste
&C. standing erect upon the stairs, the rose {
far yer her left ear trembling any tossing as
ire instinct with life, symptom with whic
ed he was very familiar for, she had vibr
ira tory motion of the ears. Leila ran to h
clip father, and putting her arm in his, dre
m him towards his sister, in spite Of his ey
vas dent reluctance.
in Dear father" said she, "Aunt Phil
IN is not willing that Uncle Clements shou
7ell have comfortable room to sleep in. Uuc
vas Banks has the green chamber, with bl
was zing fire, and poor Uncle Clements is to
ap- put in the north-ea corner of the hous
without particle of fire, or even curtai
aid to his bed. Is it right, father? is it kline
th- Poor Mr.. Manners was so unaccustom
hill to exercise any decision Of his own in hou'
t is hold affairs, and feared so much the ke
ID edge of his sisters tongue-he found hi
( ef self in most unpleasant dilemma.
ais hated scenes-he wanted to get along wi
as little trouble as possible
ICED /" Brother" said Miss Phillis, eve
n a. lived very peaceably, till this girl cal
ned back to give me her impertinence frc
agic morning till night. l will not bear it
she's to be mistress, I'll quit the hou
'hil- | leave you to decide"
ming She uttered this in a low tone, and
kind of bitter smile, thousand times mi
he fearful than her frown
him "Psho! Phillis--don't talk in that way
ged, stammered Mr.. Manners, "she don't me
lg a any disrespect to you; there'ssone mist
understanding, l dare say. Leila, "
ubly aunt will see that every thing is right
aised always leave such matters to her, and il
bout proper that you should do so-there
niger plenty of room in the house-no dific
ty-
n so, Ashamed of his want of moral resoluti
When he hast ned into the parlour, whittier
you sister followed him, with majestical ST
as to leaving Leila alone on the stairs. So G.
light, pleately overwhelmed was she with dis
ets." pontment, shame, and, it must be con
great sed, with Indignation too, that she
e clo- down, and leaning against the banis
reth- covered her fuce and wept like child.
Tays "What will they think of us ?" said
lbout to herself, "what will they think of l
light 1t was who told them / would ORD
i, and room to be prepared They will think
yh.- my selection, and despise nae in their be
nance and there is Uncle Banks, with his 2
if be iuddy face and vigorous frame, in his su
still tuous apartment, issuing his orders
some the authority of the Grand Lama.
the omnipotence of gold !"
with Absorbed in these bitter reflections,
,ut off hearing only the sound of her own st
could sobs, she was not aware of apProac
caring footsteps till they were close beside
!, she when, looking up, she beheld her |