The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-01-03
For the NanonaIEra
ONE PULL FOR THE RIGHT-TwO FOR
THE LEFT
BY MRS. BELL SMITH.

BY MRS. BELL SMITH.
A ride upon the rail in a swift train has upon
me the effect of wine. AS we whirl along, to
the quick music of the ringing iron, feel as if.
my body was up with my spirits, and we were
flying to music. How the landscapes seem
waltzing by-trees and hills, meadows, rivers.
sunlight, and shads-caught at by the eye, and
gone-gone far back; and one can scarcely re-
alize that they are lying there STILL calm and
eternal. feel as if 1 were leaving all the ills
of life behind-running at the rate of sixty
miles an hour from sickness and sorrow-the
competition of hard, busy life-the thousand
and one petty annoyances which 90 to make up
mountains of trouble. But, alas these grim
phantoms are hard after us-we shake them off
for a moment, and run at the rate of sixty
miles an hour, but, at the first station house,
there they are-our old familiars, ready to greet
rable.
Then, sleeping in cars has for me great
charm. l am shaken into repose, and like to
feel, as drop off, that we are making famous
time. l dream that / am slumbering on the
genii's charmed carpet, and am being carried
with magic swiftness over wide lands, vast:
countries, and mighty nations sleeping in the
moonlight. So we are. When l again ava
ken, we will have made four or five hundred
miles and what storms we have run through,
what dark forests we have penetrated, what
choice bits of scenery lit by moonlight we;
have lost what cows we have killed, what hogs
we have sent with sudden sqealls to their final.
rest, mourned over these last by the dismal,
wall of the locomotive, that, like grim mon
ster, lets that he is sorry for it. but grihs and
rattles his chains as on he speeds, mindless of
other hogs and helpless COWS, sleeping as it.
were in the very arms of death-mindless,
alas of four or FIVE hundred men, women, and
children, being dragged into hidden danger.
There is something exciting in this peril. Only
think-the crushing of an overstrained wheel,
the breaking of slender axle-tree, and down.
what fearful precipices may we be hurled, to,
awaken, if ever, amid the shrieks Of the dying,
under the wreck Of crushed cars and scalding
locomotive.
My principal amusement, however, consists
in speculative study of the faces about me.
1t is an odd habit, but one full of amusement
of quiet kind to myself and therefore to be
cherished | believe with ,Hazlitt, that we
may control to a certain extent our words and
acts; but that all the while the character is be-.
ing written upon the face, in lines not to be
changed or concealed. If these cannot be
read, it is the fault of the reader. One could
be helped in this, if the faces were framed in.
by clothing which would indicate the wearer's'
pursuit. But fashion. and, worse, the pride
whi foc riohl Ia
things to such an unhappy sameness, that no
assistance is to be had from such a source. l.
regret this on other accounts. A dress is be-
coming only when it is appropriate. / have,
seen French ouvrier look more Of the gentle
man, with neat, clean blouse over his manly
form, than Jew pedder in the dress of one.
My pen is running away with my subject-a>
trick it has, by the bye, and 1 sometimes be-
lieve that my readers (supposable) will think
that lay down subject as boy does a stick,
to see how far he can jump from it. Well, now
for a Jump back. We left, Lucy and ], our
home in Mill Creek, one sunny morning, for a
ride on the rail to Lake Erie. We had bust
ness, ~ imagined we had, and so hurried old
Pet -.ong, whipping him up with fears of be-
ing too late for the cars. Trains are so sud-
den, and clocks so uncertain, that am always
in " fiz" when starting, and in "fz " until
fairly seated, with the whistle in my ears. We
arrived in time-saw every one looking ont, as
every one looks out, at nothing, whenever the
train stops. We found seats, and saw, as the
locomotive ratified away with US, old Pete, with
the ever-faithful Stacy, erect as bronze monu-
ment, fade in the distance.
/ began my ordinary examination Of faces
about me. 1t was the usual collection of spec-
mems West, Eastward bound. Merchants in
search of a new stock, made up the majority,
while wealthy families, en- route for fashionable
watering places, gave US the next larger ingre-
dent. We had a sprinking from all other
classes-lawyers, doctors, and farmers. At
least, such were my conclusions. But my at
tention was called to youthful pair, evidently
on their bridal tour. There was sonAthing
very amusing in the wear of the new Clothes,
and the wear of the new life. How novel and
pleasant the first moments, when we are called
upon to share each others hopes and joys
How dear the time when we first share each
others SORROWS, and administer mutual conso-
lation. 1t is, after all, from the last that genu
inc affection springs. The roots must be wa
tered by tears, and the limbs rudely shaken by
adversely, to make of married love the pure,
beautiful bond the heart demands. 1t is not
that we have seen happiness together, bat that
we have had sorrow in communion, that makes
us one. The gnarled shrub clings to the rude
mountain side, resisting all assaults stoutly,
when the afauent plant may be easily plucked
from its richer soil. Therefore, say to all
lovers, never mind worldly prosperity; it is for
you to struggle and fight, and be often defeat
ed, but never dismayed, and all the while be
building up that which is nearer and dearer,
and better far than ordinary goods of this world
All, me! well do l appreciate now, what,
years agone, lamented over because / could]
not understand. Married life is, or should be,
a Pilgrims Progress. Christian grows strong
and content only after many trials and tribu.a
lations. 1t is not in the wooing and we'd
ding that one comes to the true state of devo-
ted affection. In Loves witching court, diplo,
macy has large role. For, in seeking to please, !
we very naturally attempt to conceal; and it is
only after the knot is tied that open our aston
ished eyes TO imperfections, heretofore sdroitly]
hid. And welsavs the gay court for the honely