The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-02-21
For the National Era.
II I'll E B r O II III E r S.
BY E. d. E. n. soUTHwoRTH.
CHAPTER II-Concluded.

Phedra paused, and, with her head bent
upon her hand, remained silent some moments;
then she resumed:
"When that unfortunate lady had been dead
some time, and one nurse after another had
been intrusted with the care of her child, and
had failed to give satisfaction, my year at last
being up with my city employer, my master
took me home, to mind Master Oswald. 1t was
the first time had seen the baby, although he
had come home with his mother, and WAS in
the carriage with his nurse at the very time
that she first set her foot upon the threshold of
her new home. Master Oswald was about two
years old when first took charge of him; and
if my heart had been ever so scared and hard
ened, it could not but have been touched at the
sight of that motherless infant-so puny, neg
lected, and suffering, as he looked. Well, /
took care of him-Heaven knows did-excel-
lent care of him, for years, or he would not be
living now. But he doesn't remember that.
How should he, indeed, when even his father
did not remember it, although many, many
times, when he saw how his heir thrived under
my care, he would praise me, and promise me
| SuCu Sicdb my OWH pOOI UOJ. ell.
l was sure he would keep his word. He has
not done so and l could find it in my heart to
pray for both your death and mine |" exclaim-
ed Phedra, with short, sudden sob, as if she
were on the eve of another burst of violent
emotion.
"Do not grieve, mother; Mr.. Waring has
not done i'll by us, 1 am sure. l have had as
happy a life with him as my own nature will
permit l could not have borne life with
master less goodnatured and tolerant. In
truth, if our mutual relations had been revers-
ed / fear that l should not have been so uni
formy kind as he. In fact, barring little self
ishness, where his habits and personal comforts
are concerned, he is one of the very kindest Of
men. You know how he has regarded US both,
from his boyhood -
"Until he left home-he changed to us from
that time"
"Only for while, when he was at school,
and his classmates laughed at him for his at
tachment to me, and he grew angry and asham-
ed to show it; now he is his old self again.
; And, mother, there is but one obstacle to his
realizing for US the hopes his father disappoint-
ed"
"And what is that, Vaentine?"
His affection for US both that has in it a
certain alloy of selfshness, as, indeed many
other peoples affections for others also have.
He loves us both, in different way: and he
loves his own comforts in us. He would not
like to lose his faithful, motherly housekeeper,
or his confidential, attached valet or that either
the one or the other should have the power to
leave him at will. An, mother, | can under
stand Master Oswald better than any one else
in the world can. | can read his heart like an
open book; and, moreover, can in most things
wind him around my finger like string. Look
at these things. Why do you suppose he col,
lected them? He doesn't care for anything like
this, but delight in them, and so | persuaded
him to collect them to adorn his rooms. ! did
not do so for my own qualification alone, but
that | really did wish to see him cultivate
fined taste. Now, we are soon going to Eu-
rope. Why2 Do you think he wished to go
at first? No; he never would have thought of
it. 1t would have been great deal too much
trouble to take the lead in such plan, but
: thought he ought to make the grand tour, like
other young men of fortune; besides which, l
had desire to travel myself So persuaded
him that gentleman of fashion las he desires
to be thought, you know ought to see Europe.
SO we go! Why, bless his easy, gocd-natured
heart, have such great powers over him-may
| never abuse itl--that ninety-nine days out of
u nunureU IL Is VINO dun mdSJoTl
"But the hundredM day, Valentine?"
The boys face suddenly changed.
~ had rather not think of that, mother" he
said, in an altered voice.
Phadra's face also changed, It was as if a
thunder cloud had suddenly crossed the sun,
and darkened all the room. The mother spoke
, first, and her voice was deep and hollow, as she
said
"Valentine yalentinei you have said that
ia ninety-nipe days out of hundred you can
govern your master. Oh, my son pray God
to give you grace On that hundredth day TO gOc-
, ern yourse!f!"
Mother Mother Why do you say that to
ms3" exclaimed the boy with shudder.
81 do not know why-or if do, dare not
tell you. A heavy weight is Oh my heart; / can
not shake it off. You are going away soon l
must warn you now; l may not have another
chance, or nay not feel able to do it. Oh,
, Valentine, learn SelfcOntrOl, try to keep your
temper always under. Ay seek the grace of
God; there is such thing, though your poor
mother has not got it, and only wishes she had
Seek it, Valentine-it is your best safety; in
every time of trial and temptation, it is stead
fast support. know it, though l haven't got
it: ! know it, because I've seei. t IN many
Others"
Valentine was looking at her with the most
intent expression OF cOuntenance.
"Anger is a short madness, is it not, mother?
So it was with me, at least, when / was a boy
and how those phrensies of passion, into which
| would be thrown, used to terrify me when /
came to my senses used to be haunted with
a fear that, in some such mad and blind fury |
might ."
"Hush! Oh, hush, Pray to God!" exclaim-
ed Phedra, turning pale.
swell, but of late years have been able to
control myself, and have also suffered less prov.
ocation."
"Ah, yes less provocation."
swell, mother, will promise you. faithfully,
at least, to exercise habitual selfcontrol And
as for your other subject of anxiety, be at rest.
Oswald Waring has his fits of generosity, in
which even his sensual love of his own COM
forts is forgotten. And shall take advantage
of one of those moods to procure our manumis-
sion-not that am sure 1 shall leave him, even
after that is obtained"
4 II that is necessary to record of their con.
versation ended here. In few minutes after,
Phaedra left the chamber to attend to her do
mestic affairs.
In the course of few weeks, Mr.. Waring
hurried the completion of all the business to
which his personal attention was indispensable:
and then, attended by Valentine, he set out for
: his European travels, leaving the farther set
Element of his estate in the hands of Mr.. Petit.
grew.
CHAPTER III
oh that men should put enemy in
Their mouths 10 steal away their brains; that we
should, with JOY, pleasance revel, and applause,
transform ourselves into beasts!
Oh thou invisible spirit of wine,
II ,hou mast no name TO be known by,