True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-02-27
q. RAGAN, Editor and Proprietor.

Miriam whs not like other girls, ana her
inner life was the best part Of her, but
nobody dreamed of this, not even Eliza
beth, in whose arms she slept every night.
Indeed, two persons could not be more es-
sentioly unlike than the two sisters. Eliz-
abeth7s character was sterling, practical,
energetic; Mriun's dreamy, gentle, es-
thetic, her very movements keeping time
to the rhythm in her soul.
~ When Elizabeth discovered that all the
property her father had left his children,
was the old yellow homestead, which had
been his grandfather's, she Immediately
cast about in her mind for some plan by
which she might support herself, and the
little one to whom she stood in the place of
a mother. She settled upon trade, and
with her to decide was to act. For the
last sixteen years, she had been the favorite
dressmaker OF the village, supporting her.
self and Miriam by her labors. The elder
sister loved the younger one, with kind of
protecting, maternal affection, and as the
other evnced partiality for books than
anything else, Elizabeth spared no expense
which her limited means afforded, in per-
fecting Miram's education. .
And standing by the cherry bed post, the
young lady secs all this, as her thoughts
move up The past, to that day nearly two
years ago, when Mr.. Hewitt came to their
home for the first time.
How we'll she remembered it! Mr.
Hewitt was tall noble-looking gentleman
about forty years old, with very bland
though rather elaborate mannOrs; and hi
sister with her magnificent dress, and pat
ronizing airs quite futtered Miriam, whC
was washing up the dinner dishes, ant
went to the door in the gingham apron sht
had tied on over her pretty muslin dress
Miss Hewitt, who was visiting at Law
yer Gaines, called to engage some dress
making, but Elizabeth was absent and 81
she left her orders with Miriam. Tie cir
thought she should not have asked her t,
repeat them so often if the gentleman hat
not kept his eyes fastened on her face du
ring the whole time. ......
Somehow Mr.. Hewitt had great man,
errands to the yellow house during his sta,
in Meadow Brook. Miriam and he wer
frequently together, and the girl grew t.
like the stately gentleman, and wondere
how the neghbors could call him cold an
naughty. The girls fresh, impulsive
transparent nature charmed the world
weary man, and he thought that his hear
might learn the song of its youth again
sheltered upon it.
One afternoon-itwas in the early autumn
hand Miriam had been out in the woods al
| day with her books-she entered the sit
ting-room hastily, her sunbonnet swingin,
in one hand and her torrent of rich brow
curls Slowing over her flushed cheeks. T
her unspeakable surprise, Mr.. Hewitt sa
i by the SIDE of her sister, her hand claspe
in his, and both were talking low and ear
nestly.
"Come here, Miriam DEAR" called Eliza
beth, for theagirl was hastily retreating
There was smile of unusual softness Iur
king about Elizabeth's mouth and loo
of triumph in her eyes, which Miriam di
not interpret. Blushing till her cheek
were the color ofthe half-opened moss
buds in the garden, she came forward an
the elder sister said, "Miriam, we wer
talking of you and Mr.. Hewitt has jus
: made a requestcf me, which does us bot
great honor. tits that will give my littl
sister to him, and he will make her hi
: wife," d She smoothed down the folds
rumpled hair fondly and proudly.
3 Miriam'S brown eyes wandered from on
to the other in mass of bewildermer
making her look handsomer than ever. Sh
was q child still, though she was comm
T into het twentieth summer. At last ht
J, head sank on Elizabeth's shoulder. 81
n not know what to say" she whispered. %
: 1t was done with SO much simplicity
9, that both her auditors laughed and love
d her better than ever. So the matter W,
}, settled, Miriam was the promised wife
!, the rich widower, William Hewitt.
a.. The gentleman was desirous ofpreparir
q a new home for his girl-bride, so they we
n not married Immediately. Meanwhile
u was arranged that she should remain vii
y her sister and Mr.. Hewitt should provi,
masters for the completion Of her educ
II tion. 3d aH1i
: Once month he came from New Yo
y to see her, bringing her costly present
"a and seeming every lime fonder and proud
a of her than ever. Jag
e Miriam's memory glances through
/ this, and now, ldo you seel . change com
.YrI ~! gu,1Ag s9Ir3g gagR ,a9igN