Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-02-06
WASHINGTON,

soon taught him lesson he will not readily
forget, by treating him with the scorn he de-
served, and without word, or recognition of
any kind, passed on, leaving him standing with
distended eyes, gazing after me-"
"POor lad" said Mrs. Stanley, sympatheti-
cally, show grievous must have been his dis
appointments
II knew, mother, you would blame me-"
said Kate, bursting with tears; II would have
spoken kindly to him at another time; but
why did he, poor mechanic, come mortifying
me before such witnesses ?"
"He thought, | presume" answered the
mother, mildly, "as you had been for years
such near neighbors, he might unquestionably
depend upon your feeling an interestin work
which had cost him months of anxious solicit
tude to perfect. How, my child, could he rea-
sonably suppose that he would obtain the sym
pathy of others, when one SO well acquainted
with his moral worth, together with the meri-
torious exertion he is SO constantly making
to aid in the support Of his mothers numerous
and bereayed family, turned coldly away, and
would not SO much as crafty him with sin
| gle look2 But / see," said Mrs. Stanley, part
| ing back the rich clustering curls which par
tally shaded her child's weeping face, and i'm
| printing kiss on her forehead "that further
rebuke is unnecessary. Yet ifmy Kate is dis
engaged and will bring her work and sit by
me, will devote the remainder of the after
noon to relating history Of very beloved
! friend, which may prove the means of eradica-
| ting the germs ofpride, am fearful, has taken
too deep root in her young heart" A thought
! full expression, almost sad one, o'erspread
the mothers features as memory reverted to
the past touching some painful chord; but
seeing her young daughter seated with her i'm
| pements of needlework, in an attitude of at
tention, she resumed her usual placidity of look
and manner, and began.
"Many years ago, my Kate, there resided
in the city Of Philadelphia a wealthy merch-
ant, whom shall designate by the name of Ell
der. He was a widower, with one child, a
daughter. Few combined greater advantages
than the gifted Ellen-young, beautiful, with
mind highly cultivated, and an heiress, there
seemed nothing wanting to add to the cata-
loguc of her attractions, and it becomes need
less to say, she was never without numerous
assemblage of admirers around her. Flattered
from her cradle, receiving adulation from all
who ventured within the precincts of her magic
circle, deprived of a mothers admonitory coun-
sells, it was not surprising that Ellen became
! somewhat spoiled Pride was her besetting
sin. Like worm, in the heart of some deli
cate flower, it was eating at the root of every
virtue with slow but destructive effect. But
for this one blemish, this plague spot, this lep-
! rosy of the heart, her character was as fault
less as her form and features were perfect, and
seldom is there met being of such surprising
| loyeliness. The winter of Miss ElIen's coming
out, as it is termed, was one Of unusual gaiety /;
! but though she received several unexcepGona-
bleoffers, she inexperienced no decided prefer
ence for any, and the spring found her yet un-
married.
1t twas at this period, that a young English
man directly from London, made his appear
ance in Philadelphia, bringing letters to the ia
ther, which obtained for him an introduction
TO the merchants daughter. OF pleasing ap-
pearance and the most specious manner, he
was not only admitted into the first circle, but
his society was generally courted. Ellen fan
cied herself in love with the captivating stran-
ger. There was an ectat attached to his atten-
TONS which hattercd her self-esteem, and
with the consent Of her too indulgent father,
she was betrothed, and tho succeeding fall ap-
pointed for the marriage,
have passed, my child, said Mrs. Stanley,
with conciseness, over this happy portion Of
Miss Elders history. | will now narrate
few events, which though they hold no mme-
date connection, with so important an era, rs
her marriage, possessed decided influence
upon her after course.
Among the worshippcrs at the shrine Of this
young beauty, was one who "neyer told his
love" an artist. They had been children to-
gethcr. The lordly dwelling of Miss Elders
father, stood beside the humble mansion Of the
painter, shcltering also widowed MOTHER and
one elder brother, and during the period Of
youth, ere the heart becomes narrowed, by the
punctilious usagcs Of the world, they were
thrown in daily contact together. Mr. Elder
was man Of sound mind, and just discrimina-
ton. He saw that his daughter could never
imbibe perncious habits or vicious principles,
from associating with the children of so excm-
plary another, and although fortune had placcd
so great a disparity between them, they were
suffered to mipgle in promiscuous intercour 9
together, sitting Of summers night upon tho
same door step, marching arm in arm along the
pavement and not unfrequently interchanging
little gifts with each other. Oscar was never
without some fahcifully painted flower, for his
fairy queen, as he POLITICALLY termed Ellen, or
landscape, with occasionally an animal intro.
duced, to please her childish fancy, discovering
even at that early period the bent Of his after
genius. While his brother, with less refined
taste, and greater mechanical turn, furnished
her baby house with chairs, tables, and car
riage 10 drag her doll round. But this Of course
was not always to last Miss Elder was placed
by her father at fashionable boarding school,
while one Of the boys was scnt off to trade,
and the other left to struggle with the iunu-
merable difficulties poor man is compelled TO