Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1857-11-19

ma am, that found in the cupboard" said
Lucy nervousy
"The Spectator, child {! Well, look up,
must look at you"
Lucy held up crimson face to the gaze of
Miss Primley
"Wel," continued Miss Primley, I scarce
ly expected to find q young lady of the pres
ent day who would read and appreciate the
| Spectator. I'm delighted to see you so we'll
employed. Very fond of books, suppose 2"
Oh, yes, ma am" replied Lucy.
What have you read :" inquired Miss
Primley.
Not much since I've been here" said Lu
cyl" but I've read Cowper and Thomson,
and some of Miltons works. and great many
| things at home"
Poetry" said Miss Primley, is not the
best sort of reading but the poets you have
mentioned are the least Objectionable You
should read books that strengthen and improve
the mind, and avoid those that merely culti-
vate the affections. You shall come and see
me, Lucy. A girl that can read Addison
ought to have better choice of books than
! you have here"
| Lucy wondered at the change of Miss Prim-
! ley's manners towards her and readily except
| herself in having found girl who could read
something more substantial than trumpery
novels" for she classed all novels under the
the same derogatory term.
/ Perhaps Miss Primley gave Lucy more
credit than she deserved, for Lucy's naturally
poetcal temperament and imaginative mind
would have reveed in the class of works she
so sweepingly condemned, but there were none
within her reach ard although we do not,
with Miss Primley, dislike all works Of imagi-
nation, and only approve of those which cult
vate the intellectual faculties, yet we think
it we'll for youth to acquire a taste for severer
studies before the mind has been enervated by
light reading, which should be the recreation,
not the sole occupation of the mind.
Lucy went to Miss Prmley's and found the
house in state of excruciating neatness, and
was awed by the air of dignity with which she
was received in this temple of Minerva But
she found there really good library, and
Miss Primley selected some good book for her
to take home and read, and talked to her of
many celebrated characters, and unbent a
little more than usual so that altogether Lucy
was pleased with her visit, and soon looked
forward with JOY to the time to which it was
to be repeated.
Lucy became weekly visitor at Miss Prim-
ley's, and stored her mind with mach useful
knowledge but the old maid could not enter
into her feelings, or unlock the rich treasures
of her heart, There was frigid, icy manner
with her not calculated to win the affections Of
youth She vas what the Americans term a
strong minded woman" though she did not
hold woman'Sright conventions, or wear the
BlOomer costume She was very accrimonous
when she spoke Of the male sex, and look
ed upon them generally as set of petty ty
rants, who by their superior physical strength
intmdated and Kept in awe their moral and
intellectual superiors of the feminine gender.
She maintained that it was woman's OWL fault
that she was not in better condition and
despises most of her sex as light, frivolous be-
ings, who fritteIed away their time and ener-
gies in dsgraceful way. She kept little So
ciety, and lived in economical gentility her
rooms were comfortably furnished but they
lacked that air of elegance and refinement
which woman's taste can give the humblest
materials.
Poor Miss Primley perhaps one who had
studied the human heart would discover in all
these symptoms the efforts of a strong will to
conceal the unconquered pangs of disappointed
affections thrown back upon the heart that
gave them birth. believe that there is not
a single old maid, whose queer ways and per-
haps repulsive manners mark her out as an
object of ridcule, whose history, could it be
known, would not disclose tale of deep suff-
ering-perhaps the unsefsh labors af a life
time ungratefulv returned by those for whom
she gave up the prospect of happy home of
her own and as there are some plants which
only display their gorgeous tints and emit their
perfumes when the glorious sunlight is on
them and close themselves securely when
clouds cover the sky, so some natures that
would be loving and genial in favorable and
hardened by affliction, and resolutely close
their heart to all that still may be had if sought
! for Yes, those stern frigid beings were not
always cold, but they had been hardened in
the furnace of affection and the same process
that melts some happier dispositions, as gold
: is melted aud purified from dross, acts upon
others as the fire upon others as the fire upon
the potter's cIay-it comes out hard aud infexi
ble.
Mr. Harley delighted to talk to Lucy of bis
son, who, with the rowing disposition natural
to youth, had early determined on going to
sea, and and after two years she was soon
expected home ancy learned to look with JOY
for his arrival 1t would be pleasant, she
thought, to have some one not much older
than herself to love, and Johns nature seemed
sunny one. Old Betsey was enthusiastic
about the dear bop. Bless bis pretty eyes !"
she would exclaim " he was one of the best
tempered, mischievous boys as ever wur y
Que day Mr.. Harley was gone out oi town
| to meet an old friendon business and Lucy
went to call on Miss Primley. She spoke
of Johns expected arrival. and Miss Primley
infused mere than usual acidity in her manner
as she responded, He'd better stay away
Young scapegrace as he is
:" Rnt nncle saws that John is good steady