The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-02-12
BY MARTHA RUSSELL.
CHAPTER VIII.

study" with her writing desk open before her,
upon which lies an open letter, with a few rose
leaves scattered upon it. Her laxen curls are
put carelessly behind her ears, she wears a
pale pink morning dress, with chemisette of
plain muslin, and a tiny black silk apron, and
is looking very bright and happy as | advance
from the door, where i had been seated, and
lay my book upon the table before her.
ooh, it's not that-not about the lessons l
wish to speak"
But you said, last night, that we would
commence again this morning, ma'am," | an
swered
Yes, but / have received news, which
Lima, my child, would you not like to have COM
panon-a little boy, to share your plays and
studies-a brother to guard and protect your"
"What from, ma'am?" 1 asked, uncon-
sciously glancing round to see from what quar-
Ter danger is to be apprehended.
"Why, from the dangers and trials and suf-
ferings which fall upon woman. Her lot is
on your silent tears to weep! my poor child +"
g don't know, ma'am. l guess l could do
it pretty well myself-but just as you think"
"Qaite right, child. / do think best; | am
going to give you brother, in the person of
Mr.. Tyler'S son, Augustus. / suppose you may
have heard-has Hannah or 10 one said any
thing to you about Mr.. Tyler-and-and my
self"
"IIannah hasn't, but l heard Miss Sarah
Beach say you were going to marry him, and
that Augustus Tyler will break my nose,
ma'am."
"Nonsense What thougbtless creature.
You must net mind what Sarah or any one
else says, Lima. But it is true that am about
to change my condition-and much sooner than
l anticipated. Mr.. Tyler will consent TO no
longer delay. But this can make no change
in your condition, my child, save for the better
i want you to remember this and she turned
her good, simple, conGding face full upon me,
as | stood by her knee" because there are
people who may try to make you think differ
ently-they have even made the attempt with
mel would not have thought it of Harriet
Hart or Lissie Loper-but it has ever been my
lot to be misunderstood / will show them
their error yet" she goes on, talking rather to
herself than me, with cheek really fresh with
glcw of pride and affection. ~ will show
them that my Marcus's justice is as unimpeach-
es.b'e as lis love, aud that forestails even my
slightest wish.''
Ii was true. No one if you tool; his word
for II, had a keener sense Of Justice; it was q
fertile theme with him-he would spend hours
IN discussing its moral, political, and theologi-
cal aspects; bat, as 10 its practical application
10 the events of daily life, Justice never laid
down her scales to dirty her fingers with any
such common affairs as those.
They were married. The ceremony was per-
formed by old Father Mason in Miss Agnes's
own parior. There were but few guests, she
having no near relatives in the place. But a
few Of her parents old friends were present, and
her own set, including Misses Moore, Beach,
Grifii,hs, and Hart, who kissed and compli-
Inented her, and were, as Polly Maria would
say, "quite suitably affected" at seeing her take
upon her slender shoulders the burden of trials
and disappoiniments which are supposed TO
Turk beneath every mesh Of the delicate wed
ding veil. "They, whose eyes, thank Heaven
mad not been touched with the magic Juice of
the plant called Love- III idleness could see
theml"
Just as if trials and disappointments were
mot appointed unto all living, and that earthly
plant were not of the
Celestial seed
Down drOpi from Paradise"
clearly akin to the tree by the rver of life, whose
leaves for the healing of nations
The evening before the ceremony, after |
had retired to my bed, Miss Agnes had come
to my room, and, sitting down upon the bed,
talked TO rue abopt her marriage; and how,
after they should have arrived from their visit
20 Mr.. Tyler's dear mother, which was to be
their wedding tour and become a little settled,
| would go to school, with dear little Augustus
FOR companion, who was a very excellent
scholar. and would help me so much Then,
If Mr. Tyler, as they both hoped, should be sent
out to Wallah Basheen," or any other foreign
station, she should feel so much easier about
me; for, of course, they should be obliged TO
renounce the parental relation. 1t was one of
The crosses she must be prepared to meet, and
leave Augustus and myself at school, until we
were fitted to share their labors and trials with
them.
She spoke quickly, hastily, as if she were
conscious that her time already belonged to
another; and drawing small, light locket
from her pocket, she touched q spring, and
showed HE a set of cearcut features, which
there no mistakng
q Do you know that face, Lima ?''
1T is Mr.. Annesley it looks more
like boy than he did,"
"You are right. He was quite young when
It was taken. Ne were much together in our
younger days. His father and my mother were
cousins-and his mother gave this to me.
thought you might like to have il, as Mr.. An
nesey is your friend, and do not think it will
be quite proper for me to retain gentlemen's
portraits now---or, at least, Mr.. Tyler might
think so-but, there-he calls He cannot
bear to be separated from me minute. Be a
good girl and with kiss upon my forehead,
she left the room.
"Umph!" said Hannah, when I showed 1s;y
treasure next day after the wedding, and re-
peated Miss kgnes's words; $50 she's began
Already, has she / wonder where would a been
the harm in her keepin' it, If Mr.. Ralph had a
been here, she'd been Agnes Lathrop still "
d" Why, so, Hannah"
"Case she neyer'd dared to gone and done
what she has! I've nothn' to say agn Mr..
Tyler. He's good man, sGppose-he ought
Ger be. But she wouldn't a dared It'll"
"Dared, Hannah"
al don't mean," she answered, pettishiy,
" that she'd q been afeared of his strikin' her,
or any sich thing, child but he'd a said it
want suitable; and when Mr. Ralph said a
thing wasn't suitable, I'd like to know who'd
say twas! Not Miss Agnesl"
If you were going to get married, Miss
Hannah" began; after gravely rejecting upon
the subject while, Sand Mr.. ph was to come
and say it was not suitable, would you give it
up?"
Coin to be married Don't talk nonsense,
child! Them that's alters known what's suita.
bic, alters will, 1 hope, without any tellin' y
she replied, loftily.
Suitable or not, l was inclined, at that mo.
nent, to be satisfied with everything that put
mo \ 4 -