Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-09-10
CHOICE LlTERATURg.
The two Sisters and the two Uncles.


BY MRS. CAROLINE LEE HENTz.
CONTINUED FROM OUR LAST.
"Very pleasant gentleman your uncle
is, said she, looking at Elmira. Rath-
er particular in his ways-but that is ow-
ing to his ill-health. So perfetcly original.
How do you like your Cousin Joseph |
think him one of the most perfect gentle
men have ever SEEN"
81 have no doubt we shall find him We
ry interesting" replied Elmira "but he
does not seem inclined to talk much. He
seems very distant, for cousin"
"You cannot expect so much familiarity
from one Of his great expectations, as from
an inferior person." said Amt Phillis.
He can not but feel his own consequence. !"
Leila smiled, and was about to speak,
when Aunt Phillis interrupted her.
"I wish you would break yourself of
that saucy habit Of smiling at my remarks,
Miss Leila; assuee you, | think it very
impertinent."
Dear aunt"
"Dear aunt, again-you called me dear
aunt at the supper-table three times, as il
in defiance of my prohibition, and on pur.
pose TO draw the attention of Mr.. Banks ;
The numbering sound of wheels ap
preaching the door, arrested the attention
Of all, and the clinking sound of the falling
steps, convinced them that some one was
descending.
1t must be Uncle Clements" exclaim
ed Leila, eagerly opening the door, while
Aunt Phillis and Elmira exchanged glances
of undisguised ch agrin.
" You need not ring the bell, said Aunt
Phillis, seeing the motion of Lelia's hand
"the stage-driver will attend to him"
But the mandate came too late, for q
merry peal rang though the hall, as Mr..
Clements and his son entered the house
The lamps that lighted the passage most
brilliantly in honour of Mr.. Banks, threw
their full blaze on their advancing figures
and Leila, on whom the whole burden o
welcome seemed to rest, felt glow of de
light diffused over her whole heart, i
tracing, even then, in the mild lineament
Of her uncle's face, a resemblance to nc
beloved Aunt Lydia.
"0h, what contrast'v thought she, {
she looked at her Cousin Charles. Th
next moment she was in her uncle's affe
tionatc embrace-as affectionate, but Fl
energetic, than Mr.. Banks high-pressu
greeting. Miss Phillis Manners receive
them with stately civility, which Elmi
triod to initiate, though she could not he
thinking that if her Cousin Joe did reser
bic Price Albert, her Cousin Charles W
vastly handsomer, and more engaging
his appearance. He was dressed in a col
plete suit Of black, which corresponded W,
with his dark hair and eyes, and so "
the father, but the coat of the latter "
rusty aud thrcadbare, and his whole 8
parel that of decayed gentleman.
"Aud these are my two nieces," Sc
Mr.. Clements, looking from one to the OF
er, with moistened eyes, my sisters ct
dren Is it possible? How difficult it
to realize your blooming womanhoo'
Charles, you have often heard me speak
their mother; here" turning to Leila,
her living picture" ...
A violent ringing Of the bell produC
q sudden silence. Phills started up in
larm, when Mr. Banks footman oper
the door, with a half comic, half ira
counte nance.
"W hat is the matter ?" cried Miss p
lis. " Is Mr.. Banks i'll Has any tn
happcncdH"
"No, ma'am J" he replied but
says the sheets are damp, and will give
the rheumatic. He wants them chang
if you please, directly He's walking
bo ut to leep from catching cold"
HTell him the sheets have been dot
and trebly aired, answered she, in a ra
tone. 81 am remarkably careful al
such things There is no possible dar
Of taking cold"
1t don't do any good to tell him
ma'am," said the man, grinning. "W
he once gets notion into his head,
might as well try to move the globe a
geti out of him. He won't sleep toni
unless you humour him about the shee
Miss Paillis left the room with q
alacrity; but the manners in which she
.' sed the doors, showed she was not altog
or pleased with Mr.. Banks original W
Leila began to feel very uneasy a
her uncle's accommodations for the nj
She saw he looked pale AMI fatigueG,
seemed oppressed with dry coug
Charles watched his fathers coupten
with deep anxiety, and asked him i
would not retire, adding, that he was
too much Of an invalid not to practice
self-indulgence,
Leila had not exchanged word
her aunt upon the subject; she had p,
the evil hour as long as possible. 1t
not be deferred any longer, and he
her footsteps descending the stairs,
rose with precipitation and left the !