The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-01-10
TRAYSLATEp ny ELBERT PERCE.
CHAP. XVIII.

z Il & y
II, June -, 1927.
My VERY DEAR FRIEND: How much | re-
grst aud miss you! you, the only person in
whom really can confde; to whom alone L
can law open my heart, and all its feelings of
grief and Joy. To be sure, have our kind,
GOOD. old uncle, Ling but his age and sex
render II impossible for me to intrust him with
the feelings which pervade my heart. No, /
can do that to you alone. Oh, Hildal the tree
Of M, bears bitter fruit in abundance. / will
not. however, complain, if l might only once
extend my hand, to reap that which is good and
noble.
How much has happened during the short
time since your departure Oh, how few days
does It require to transform peace and JOY into
uneasinesS and sorrow Ny heart is now the
abode Of the latter; and but yesterday had
not a surmise that they would be its occu-
pants today.
will give you faithful account of every
thing and pour out all the SORROWS of my heart
into your sympathizing bosom for well know
how warmly and sincerely you interest yourself
about all that concerns me.
You know. then, dear Hilda, how quiet and
retired we live IN our little place, since papa
stopped payment, and we were obliged to
leave our large. handsome mansion. We had,
however, reason to thank God that papa was
able to make such good terms with his credit
ors. and escape Imprisonment. Papa was most
afraid Of Mr.. Garben; and you may remem,
Ter that | told you, i'll an hour of confidence,
the scene which took place with US after his
return from Stockholm, when, instead of the
account he had looked for, be found that papa
had deceived him, and had profted by his alb
Sence to become bankrupt
will not tell you how angry and piercing
was the look he gave papa, when he called
Opon Us, and assured us solemnly that he
would claim and have his rights to the last
penny. or would hold my father fast in the
very place whittier he most feared to come.
Mamma and papa talked great deal how
ever, Mr.. GARDEN paid no attention to them,
hut quickly returned to his apartments at
Swanstedts.
You must have a dim recollection of all
this, my dear Hilda, and / merely seek to re-
fresh it, to let YOU hear the occasion of the
mildness which Mr.. GARDEN afterwards showed,
and which surprised every one, and which |
should not have thought of telling you, had it
not been necessary to enable you to understand
what follows.
As twilight fell, | felt confirmed IN a resolu-
linton which / had often turned over in my
head, when ] saw the trouble and affection
which was actually consuming papa. With a
slight tremOr, l threw on my cloak, and slipped
quietly and quickly over to Swanstedt's, up the
stars and hurried rapidly, without meeting a
soul, to the door OF an apartment, where
stood still. as | heard some one pacing up and
down, with firm, manly steps, within; | then
softly opened the door, and, for the first time
IN my life, bent my knee before q human being
cannot recall all that in the confused and
hurried feelings Of the moment said but it
was tcrvent, earnest entreaty, that he would
spare the sole hope and support of five unpro-
tected Children
Mr.. GARDEN smiled gently and kindly, and
rather bore than led me to a sofa, as | would
net rise until had his promise; and he would
not speak as long as | remained in that posi-
hon. He made me sit beside him. | grasped
hls hand, and with fervor and feeling addressed
'uyself directly to his heart, setting forth the
lut. an my pUSiblOn VI my ldJutT, anu the
heple Ssness Of my brothers and sisters. And
deeply Initiating as it was-oh YOU will
easily conce we it, Hilda-yet, for their sakes,
implored his tOrbearance and compassion.
' would have spared would have done
much, very much, for your sake and your
father would never have had to resort to these
means of escaping these difficulties, had he but
placed confidence in me, and discovered his IN
to VIII | Erct lN-aH
but to mock me so openly, so publicly, to make
use of cunuing-and -
"Oh, pray, pray, say no more, Mr.. Garden,
Interrupted. any grief was beyond all bounds
when found that | could not persuade my
.ather to adopt the proposition which ! made tc
hm-namely, that he should confide all to you
while there was still time; even on that very first
evening which you spent with US, besought my
father to do So
And You did that?" he said, in tone oil
A'hoieSS' and looking deep into my eyes, with
peculiar degree of emotion; and you really
DID regard me as kind man?"
rom the very first moment" replied; cor
would not be here this evening, for the very
thoughts of being repulsed would have deprived
me Of all courage"
No one" said he, would be capable of re
nuslng you; daughter who becomes an in
'ercessor for her father must be able to look
Iion much With an indulgent eye; and, per
'aps. added he, perhaps this is the bitterest
portion OF your noble devotion"
Nh. dear Hilda, how did value him, noble
asq hne feeling as he was; and silent, and strug
2lng With my gushing tears, stood before
MIN he bent toward me rapidly, and as if h'
feared | would interrupt him.
Not another word tomorrow | will ar
Il a A L
hanner as not to leave him single cause 0
Complaint
turLad to go. l could not find words t,
-aan6 him, bit ! hope he read my feelings il
ny eyes. As ! approached the door, he caugh
.ny hand, and whispered, in a tone of entreaty-
Rosa Will not forget me, even when the evi
days shall have passed, and the heavens ar
once more clear and prosperous"
Never, never, noble, generous man" replies
l. and FASTENED down the stairs
arrived In my own apartment, the overflow
-le feelings OF my heart found rest in a sigh o
tIaGtGde TO Providence, and in a warm ant
0'1 - prayer for Gardens welfare.
me following forenoon, my father was sew
el@i hours with Garben; and in the evening b.
oppressed his thankfulness to me, by warn
PRESSURE OF my hand; he knew at once hov
'"ihgs had gone, though he did not exchang
word on the subject.
"arben departed; and the other creditor
a An'lGg taking possession of the greater part Q
a.. winch belonged to my father, we entered tn
~ iuall house. which was opposite your own, Hi
~ ana where we were living when you lei
a nd now ] must tell you what has sine
S oturfed. Today, had just commenced m
es as lnstructress of my little sisters, an
LII CIRCLE had increased by the addition of
an. Gnu OF half-boarder, which l have taken, t
s .a; me some aid in the various domestic a
70 airs, which | now superintend since Madam