True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-05-13
3, RAGAN, Editor a and Proprietor. i

like so many horizontal soldiers. Her
face was d very good one, as far as cot
Of and features 60, but there was a fixed
expression of watchful fretful anxiety,
that daikly yelled all beauty.
A light firm step sounded in the hall,
and a gentleman, with a fine figure, and
a good humored, intellectual countenance,
appeared at The door, He spoke in a
rich voice, with gay tone and brilliant
smile.
$50, Amelia, you have really opened
the parlors for once, and certainly
wish" t.
"Why Charles" in a hurried tone,
You seem to forget that the foot-mat is
designed for uSe."
s"There's no mud, Amelia, the walks
are perfectly dry"
4" But there is dust surely"
He paused and with half amused
half impatient look wiped the dust from
his feet.
Carelessly throwing his hat upon a
sofa, he took chair and seated himself
near her. His wife Iose quietly, and de-
posted the hat in its place in another
apartment. .r..s
I" How happensi it that these rooms are
opened :" he inquired, as she returned
looking round with somewhat comical
expression.
"Mrs B told me The L--s
would call here to-day, they leave town
tomorrow"
Where are Amelia and Mary" he
asked.
In the nursery" @e
81 wish you would send for them;
have not seen them since morning"
"Surely, Charles, you would not have
those children brought into these rooms"
i" Why not :"
"You know very we'll they would ruiz
everything here in few moments"
Well, let them be brought into tn,
sitting room"
81 think the nursery altogether the
best place for them it is sufficient fo
them to keep one room in constant dis
order" ~ r .,s .g....t
II wish your bump Of order was il
Jerico. should think you would wan
those children to have the range Of the
house. Nothing can be more refreshing
than they are, with all their music, beauty
and grace. don't care if they do sol
things little, and am beginning TO hat
this funeral order. Let us join them il
the nursery if they must be cooped vi
there"
eYou can, if you choose, but hat
better remain here"
off those people call, can't you be
summoned :"
"Yes but | don't like to leave these
rooms when they are open.'
With light laugh, "Why if somt
one should come in and move chair
hundredIh part of an inch from its place
you could put it back in a lrice."
Gold silence fell. He took up bool
and looked it over for awhile. He CLAN
ced at his wtle's face, he was always TIT
first 10 sue for peace, because he knew
that Amelia would never propose term
herself, she was Too sure that right an,
reason were ON her side.
He spoke with concillaling look an
[ tone,
/" These people will hardly call to
, night Amelia" s7
, :" | think not-itis getting late."
/ /" | declare," he resumed, throwing hi
, book down upon the chair, | am too wes
, ry for even light reading; my head
: completely snarled with this intricate cas-
3 | ain trying. Ibe!ieve music would d
e me good, will you play for me 2"
D Eyes, presently" . S ao.yni7ig
He left the room exdecting her 10 70
E low but she tarried put the parlors
;, order and place them safely under loc
Q and key, a work requiring some time.
o Impatient at her delay, Charles saun
! tered to the nursery, and returned wit
5 one rosy, dimpled, smiling little girl
Q his arms and another rife with all tll
D Eden loveliness of childhood dancing b
e his side, just as Amelia was seating he
II self at the piano.. She cast a look Of al
prehension at her offspring Of desparin
a resignation at her consort; and con
Q menced playing. Charles threw limse
II into as many chairs as he needed for
W convenient couch, and took large boo
d from table for a pillow. Amelia climbe
is up beside him. drew off coral nccklat
ct and wound it about his head. Lilli
al leaned against an ottoman, and with i
a. tent look, pouting rosebud lips, ar
le slightly contracted brow, wearied h
ID little fingers trying to pull the worst'
D. from the flowers, Amelia did not S,
ii all this, her husband and children we
y behind her, she could notplay withov
o. the constant use oftwo eyes, and as ha
n PLY she was not an Argus her unco
ht scious back remained in blissful ign
of rance. Music was to Charles merely
D. abstract pleasure; he was sootheds al
air gently stimulated by pleasant sound
er had he been musical critic, he rnu
- have decided thati il his wife's perforl
,ly ance lacked those nice, variable touch
en indicative Of feeling and taste, not an
10 dividual on the round earth could ex'