Eastern times., 1856-02-28
my forehead, but those words more than re-
paid me for any sacrifice l had made.

In this matter, that came among this people
with my newly assumed responsibilities, hon.
es,ly purposing to order my life and conversa-
tion for His glory. But it is not always do
ing this to yield to the whims and narrow
prejudices of others.
l ought to have remembered this yesterday
morning, when went down to see if the pud-
ding was nicely browning for dinner, for
Bridget has her full share Of that let-things-
take-care-of-themselves notion, so indigenous
to her branch of the Celtic family.
heard voices as drew near the kitchen,
and an eager pronunciation OF my name ar
rested my steps.
'Shure, an it's mortal shame for 'em to
say that same, an the curls lyin' round her
swa.e young face, just like autumn sunshine
when the days begin to grow short
Well, Biddy, it's nothing as consarns me,
you know was the rather modifying rejoind-
er. 'Only, once heerd Mrs. Parsons tellin'
Miss Wheeler, last night, that she did wish
Mrs. Raymond wouldn't wear such heap of
curls behind her ears. 1t wasn't settin' a
good example, and didn't look sober, and staid
like, as minister's wife ought to-
had heard enough. walked deliberately
into the kitchen, to the manifest confusion of
Biddy and Mrs. Parsons girl, who, suppose,
partially reassured themselves with the hope
that had not overheard their conversation.
Bryan came home to dinner, in a hurry,
bringing company with him. He had made
an engagement for the afternoon, and so | had
no opportunity of speaking with him on this
matter.
But it weighed heavily on my heart. A
very rebellious one it was, fear, for the right
way did not seem very clearly defined before
me,
In the first place, my curls are perfectly
natural and | should be obliged to expend
twice the time | now do my hair, to over
come their sinuous inclination.
In the second, have always worn them,
and nature intended that should, by making
them especially becoming TO me.
God has given me a deep love for the beau
ufu, the graceful, the harmonious and who
shall dare to rise up, and say that | have no
right TO develop these elements OF my nature
that shall warp and stultify part of my
mental being.
And because He has not given this beauty
lore TO all men, because, from ignorance Of
mind or heart, their eyes are darkeoed that
they cannot see, and hence, out of this very
ignorance, set themselves up TO judge those
that can-is it a duty to sacrifice our outward
tastes and harmonies TO their narrow-minded-
ness! So argued my reason; but remem-
bered Mrs. Parsons was a very influential
woman in the church, and that my position
would demand many sacrifices. Doubtless
plain dress was one of my duties.
So at last went 10 the glass, and devoted
more than an hour, which might have been
employed TO much better purpose, coaxing my
refractory hair to lie in plain folds behind my
ears.
With The aid of brush, and considerable
energy this was at last achieved but the re-
suit was anything but satisfactory. l hardly
knew myself.
Bertha, where are you!' 1t was growing
into twilight, when Bryan's voice came up
stairs to me as sat reading by the window.
| ran down to him, but instead of the kiss that
was certain of finding at the foot of the stairs,
he held me off from him, peering curiously into
my face, and asking, what in the world als
you!
laughed. why, don't you like my looks! =
No, indeed, l don't; (very empha tically. }
What has possessed you to arrange your hair
in that barbarous style!'
Because, you know, minister's wife
shouldn't indulge her hair in any curling pro-
pensity. But come in here, and I'll tell you
all about it.
He suspected something of the truth; / saw
he did, by the expression of his face, as he le.
moved his overcoat.
Then we went into the sittingroom, and
told him all-but, somehow, my tears came
with the commencement of the story, and my
sobs concluded 1t, for Mrs. Parsons remarks
had wounded my feelings more than was
aware.
We sat before the bright CRATE fire. Bryar
in his easy chair, and in smaller one, my
head bowed on the arm of his.
He did not speak as finished, but sat still
few moments, looking into the flames
Then he lifted me up, and carried me to the
mirror. There, BERTHA setting me down
come back to me when you have taken dowI
your hair
1t was but the work of few moments, fo
the loosened folds rolled back to their natura
ringlets.
Then went back TO Bryan. Now, Berth;
Raymond he said, drawing his arm arount
me, never, till your hair has grown gray, lie
me see you wear it in any other manner. You
curls are, to me, part of you. When frs
looked on your face, the fairest among women
they lay bright framework around it, and il
my memory, they will lie there always. Ma
ture gave them to you--you have righ tt
keep Them
After this, my husband talked long time