The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-05-27
Sclett mistellanp.
THE SISTERS.
BY MARY E. WILCOX.
PART II.

CONTINUED.
Six years had passed, and the chile
of six was now child of twelve Sht
was tall and slender; with a springipg
elastic step, a pair of large dark eyes, &
quantity of carelessly kept. dark hair
and dark complexion, which betokoDec
careless exposure to wind and sun. Il
was difficult to tell what she would be
come, children change 80 in passing
from childhood to maideuhood-she
might ripen into sparkling beauty; bui
certainly she was no beauty now. Ra-
chel Maria, who was now her step-moth
er called her a perverse and obstinate
child, and despaired, as she said, " oi
ever awaking her to aHense of propriety;'
and LEFT her much to herself There
was hight and depth in her young ma
ture that Rachel never could fathom
and will that Rachel never could sub.
due.
Every summer little May came and
spent two months at her fathers. She
was now nine years old, and was child
of rare and perfect loveliuess with a
complexion as delicate in texture as the
petals of an apple blossom, soft violet
eyes ripping goid.-A
proud and happy child was Lizzie, when
she could lead May by her side to the
little brick school house, seat her upon
the bench, and watch the admiring CLAN
ces of the scholars directed toward Mays
pretty dress and embroidered pautalets
And happier still was she when passers
by would stop to gaze in admiration up
on her little sisters beautiful face, sci
in the shining gold of her hair. Nc
young mother was ever prou5er of her
first born than Lizzie WAS of May. Nc
jealous or envious thought found place
in her mind, though her own apparel
was coarse aud awkward, while her sis
ter's was always tasteful and elegant
though her complexion seemed still dar
ker, aud her want of beauty more ap
l2arent, when contrasted with her sister
May was gentle and yielding in her dis
position, too, and found favor in the eye
of Rachel, which Elizabeth was far from
doing.
On the morning in question the chill
dren were preparing for school. Thei
dinner was packed in little willow bas
ket their books were in the satchel; anc
Elizabeth stood surveying pretty ant
somewhat simple straw hat, with wide
brim, which her father bad given to hel
the day before, on observing the uube
coming aspect of tho blue sun bonre
with which her stepmother Fad invested
her. It was seldom that she had any
tasteful article of dress to take pride il
but this hat was really pretty, and gav'
picturesque and not uupteasing effec
to her dark hair and eyes. She had no
yet worn it, and she stood turning i
round on her hand, and surveying it witt
childish delight
What lovely hat" said May, VIII
had arrived from New York the day be
fore; cit is just the thing to wea
around in the country. How I wish
had ene to wear to school to day, fo
this drawn silk bonnet don't keep tn
sun out of my eyes one bit Do let m
try it on, Lizzie. l must send to grand
mamma to have her get me one just lik
it.n
And she placed the hat on the sum
ripplcs of her hair, and looked up wit
such beaming smile as few could hav
resisted
"Wear it May" said Lizzie, from tn
depths of her generous heart; G. 1 Cal
wear my sun bonnet as well as not.
had rather you would wear the hat thai
to wear it myself"
just at this moment the harsh voic
of Rachel Maria was heard from the to-
of the stairs, eHclaiming-,
Elizabeth, you had better let you
sister wear that new hat of yours
it would be pity for her to spoil hei
beautiful complexion in this hot sun
shine; but you are already so dark that i
does not signify whether you wear any
thing on your head or not Beside, 70,
are too old TO take such sinful pride il
dress I do grieve to see you SO attach