Weekly hawk-eye and telegraph. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1855-1857, 1857-05-20
THE TALKING SHELL
4 TATE for Little People.
CHAPTER /,

CHAPTER l.
Laura was very beautiful She had been
called so from the hour she was born. ALI
who sought to win the favor of her wealthy
mother were never tired of praising the blue
eyes and rosy lips, the round arms and deli
cate fingers of the baby beauty; but, though
all were lavish Of their admiration, l.auras
mother thought they never praised enough,
for the eyes Of maternal pride could discover
thousand graces which were hidden from
the cold scrutiny of fawning fatterers and
interested dependents AS Laura grew in
years, there were many cruel enough TO tell
her that her lovely face and graceful figure
were alone sufficient to command the esteem
and respect of all, and that she had only to
consult her own desire in all things to be
perfectly happy. The mother of Laura was
equally to blame; for, instead of teaching
her to consider the cultivation of her mind
and the regulation of her disposition as the
chief duties OF her life, she was forever en-
ployed in designing some new dress or orna-
ment, which, in reality, served only to dis
guise the natural graces of the child, and had
the effect Of encouraging the growth of one
of the most fatal passions-vanity At four
teen Laura was frequently quite ridiculous :;
for she knew she was much admired and ev-
cry day she became DESTROYS of attracting
more attention; and in order to do so she
threw herself into unnatural attitudes, and
made all kind Of simpering graces, which she
foolishly thought graceful and becoming
Those who had fattered her now began to
suffer the consequences of their own wicked
ness; for Laura, never having been taught
that it is our duty to be kind and gentle to
all our fellow creatures, used her servants
very harshly, and INDUCED in violent pas
sions whenever they, through mistake or
carelessness, gave her offense. Laura, tho
much attached to her mother. treated her
with scarcely more consideration than she
did her servants; for her wilfulness had OBJ
tanned complete mastery over her affection
Bitterly indeed did the poor mother reproach
herself; for too late she saw the mischief
she had done, and the good she had neglect
ed
A few weeks before Laura's birthday her
uncle, q merchant returned from long voy-
age in the Indian seas He was proud also
of Laura's beauty, and had brought home
some rich stufs and valuable ornaments for
his pretty niece, who kissed him a hundred
times and called him the best and dearest of
uncles. Among other presents was one Of Il
single pearl and this, either from its rarity,
or the interest she had 1elt in her uncle s
narration of its capture by the pearl diver,
was an especial favorite with Laura. 1t came
from the celebrated pearl fishery at Condal-
chy, on the coast of Ceylon, and the poor d.
yer who had brought it from the bottom of
the sea died from the exertion used to obtain
it. Laura would sit before her looking glass
an hour at time, placing the pearl some
times in her hair or round her neck, or hang
ing the precious toy upon her lovely fore
head. She had been thus engaged upon a
sultry afternoon until she grew weary of the
pastime, and, throwing herself upon a sofa,
took one of several beautiful shells which her
uncle had brought also from the Indian seas
She was still thinking of her pearl, which
she intended to wear upon her approaching
| birthday, and wondering what everybody
would say, when, unconsciously, she placed
| the shell to her ear-and 10! there was q
sound like the murmuring of the sea. Thi:
| was the first time she had heard the sounds
though she remembered to have read bool
of poetry where it was said of Il she'll
Place its polished lips unto your ear,
| And it remembers its august abodes,
| And murmurs as the ocean murnurs there
Laura was delighted with her discovery
and continued listening to the SHE'LL anc
thinking of her pearl, until she became un
conscious of everything else around her
Presently she heard the voice within tn,
shell speak her name. Yes! again it salt
/ Laura She felt neither alarmed no
surprised, for she had listened to it SO Ion:
that she had become familiar with the won
der
"Well, pretty she'll" inquired Laura, wha
do you want with me p
Are you not pleased that can talk t.
you, said the shell.
ooh very pleased replied Laura, "lor
grow dreadfully weary Of being alone so mucl
and the people about me never speak ofany
thing but my beauty. | am tired of hearing
them"
'Ia! Are you sure of that p said the
shell; 'you forgot how often have seen 20,
before yonder lookng-glass, and heard yo,
say to yourself, Well l certainly am YER,
| handsome"
'O l never said that exclaimed Laura
''But you have often thought So replied
the she'll calmly, "and have the power o
hearing your thoughts
''lndeed p exclaimed Laura, little fright
ened.
| "Io gu often thought that for the world yol
| would not have Caroline's merry pug nose
because some one has praised your own
which is straight! and that YOU wculd al
most rather die than have Julia's gentle gray
eyes, because your own are blue"
"Well, | own it, said Laura, in a very
little pet; | should hate to have pug nose
and am very glad my eyes are not grey
| can't help being beautiful, and l know
am
"There is beauty in all things which God
has made, replied the she'll
What! beauty in all things?'' exclaimed
Laura. "Whatl in spiders and beetles, and
-and-red hair"
Eyes, in all, did you know how to seek
for it, answered the shell. THE time may
come when you will do so. At present you
are too much engaged with your own pretti
ness to see how others equal you or excel
you" ..
-. equal me excel me' thought Laura
But the spirit in the shell heard her, and
said, "You will not believe me now; you
are too vain. You think that your beauty
viii command always the admiration OF
those you wish to captivate, and that the con.
seriousness and exercise of that power will
make you happy. Gentleness, affection, self
sacrifice and kindness are unknown to you,
because they have been unsought,
"You are very rude" said Laura. "Pray
do all shells talk like you p asked Laura.
"No; but am endowed with this power
to benefit you" said the she'll 81 am to tell
you the Story Of a Pearl, the sister of the
one you wear upon your wrist"
"lndeed!' cried Laura. Had my lovely
pearl sister," ............
| Listen" said the she'll
Tile Story of ihe Pearl.
"The pearl whose story am about to mar
rate to you was Of the ancient family Of the
Avicula Margaretta one of the most renown
ed in the domnions Of the Sea King Il
had been predicted, ages ago, that the chill
dren of the Avlcula should be very beautiful
and as such, be liable to many dangers ant
| temptations. The founder Of the race wa:
wise and prudent, and he therefore petition
| ed the inp of the sea ia hide the nycephinf