The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-11-18
WASHINGTON, D. C.
ICopsrghf secured according 10 iaD.l
For the National Era. ...
HERMAN: ad
YOUNG KING H T II GOD.
BY L. FOXTON, .
author Of /" Princes"
CHAPTER XIII-Coatinurd.

,l.asanter. How did Ierse to be independ-
enl But marrying seemedto ME TO be an odd
,,,arrary way to bring that about. had about
five hundred dollars a year of my own, to be
sure. and might have taken cheap lodgings for
myself. somewhere but thought 'twould be
sodull and lonesome for me. had always been
used to see everything pretty and cheerful about
me-, and a good deal going ON; and if my rela-
lions weren't always very good-natured to me,
nor to them, if the truth must be told, their
voices aud footsteps round ewere good deal
better than nobody's.
How did envy, those years, the little coun-
,ry woman who brought us in our eggs, and
bntter. and fruit, in her little wagon, twice a
seek. | rode out to see her place once. She was
a farmers widow, and had an orchard, pasture,
beautiful cows, and pretty garden, and took
care Of them all herself, with younger brother,
VINO lived with her, and one or two servants.
She hustled about, and churned, and gardehed,
and picked her fruit, and MIXED her cows and
drove her pony to and from town in the fresh
early mornings. She had plenty of work and
plenty of Observation-Disclosures coming and
going all the time, and a pleasant word for
everybody, and pleasant word from everybody,
ami was laying up money all the time, to spend
as she liked. But bless you, my son, you know
that, even if | hadn't been brought up not to
know how to do anything it's contrary to ma
tur' that lady should do anything for herself.
Ii i, much as she can do, and more too, some
lines, to get leave to work for other people ;
and hadn't much inclination at that time to
DO much for anybody else. Ny heart was all
bent on self and the world I'd have worked
wiih a good viii and all my might, to make
a,,elf well off in this life; but | hardly ever
thought anything about the other.
When I was a schoolgirl, there was "A poor
old maiden lady used to call Aunt Ruthy, and
90 to See very often, and carry her flowers when
c.er had bouquet, because pitied her so.
IT, almost the only good thing about me then,
hat can remember She was SO grateful
poor soul she loved me dearly and would tell
me- all her troubles. Girls like to hear other
peoples. before they have any Of fheir own.
She had enough money to pay her board and
bu, her caps. but nobody that belonged to her.
aud nothing to do. She was a timd. moping
and cheer herself and She couldn't endure
solitude. 1t killed her at last She went crazy.
and died in an asylum, where ! thought, when
went there to see her, she seemed happier
uian she ever did before she went in. When
Ter a"qna intances could make it convenient
they asked her To come aud
Of charity; and then | would see her creeping
round SO pale and meek in other peoples hou-
scs always taking the worst of everything when
She helped herself and only the second best
when other people helped her; and though she
had been brought up as dellcateiy as any oi
them. I've known that woman actually 90 down
into their kitchens, among their strange SER
wants, and do up muslns, or make cake, or any
thing else, Just so that they might find her use
iul. and not want TO get rid of her 50 soon; and
She would stay so long, that at last they'd think
they must give her "a hint-a very little ON,
would do. and mortify her, half to death be
SIDES. for she had very ladv-like feelings; anC
then she'd 90 back to her dismal little room
and take to her bed, and cry for a week; till
found out she was there and ran in to max,
her laugh, and cheer her up. Now, had al
'xays said that. whatever | did, | wouldn't be
like Aunt Ruthy.
" But one dav, when / came home from
spending week with a married school-inate ii
the country. and was just going to run up stairs
with nv shawl and parasol my sster-in-la"
pat herself In nv wav in the drawing room door,
and whispered in hurry, coloring up little,
Mr. Carroll has got your chamber, cary. My
sister and her children lad the wet rooms, and
vt didn't expect YOU back quite so soon so |
told Phillis TO put your thiFSs INTO the third
Story lumber-roon,. and dean it up nice for you
and well have tIe porter up in the afternoon
10 move out thgfrunks and boxes. There's a
beautiful yiewthere over the roofs and hus-
band savs ~. must have another spare chamber.
didnr say one word. 1t seemed to take
nv lr.,, away. NY chamber was my nursery,
w6era Aamma used to come i'm, in her beauti
fu addresses, to kiss me and tuck me up
evhings before she went out,sand my brothers
FED 10 bounce through the door when school
NSas let out, and throw down their satchels and
toss me up in the air. Id slept in it all my
NE and felt as If twas almost rs much mine to
live IN as NV own BODY.
" | walked up the three fights of stairs. The
room had been swept and busted and Phillis
had laid all the odd pieces of carpet and mat
ting smooth over the bare floor. and stacked up
The boxes and trunks In one corner as well as
she knew how; for | always gave her my cast
OH hnery, and she was fond OF me. But dear
NE how | did feel! like a steamer with her
saiety-valve screwed down. l wonder L didn't
ol"| up with my pent-up feelings. There
WASH soul | would say word to; and
couldn't even cry, for fear they'd see my red
eyes. Well, thought / to myself; Here's the
hrst step, Aunt Ruthy. ; -. a.d4d b.
hat afternoon | ordered my horse, and
rode out alone, wondering how long I'd be al
lowed to keep him, and thinking enough, you
NAV be sure. When i came near home-we
h'ed Just at the edge of the city--not being III
great hurry to get back to the lumber-room,
Telned HIM in on the brow of a steep little hill
lock- and sat STILL looking at the sunset. One
u ny little nephews, who was always playing
some prank or other, shot him with q blunt ar
TOW, out from behind bush. He started, and
as 1 caught up the reins tighter-he was very
spirited, aud used to hunting--he leaped with
me down eight feet sheer. and stood still, trem
o'lhg httie. L did not fall, but felt my head
terribly hurt by the Jar. My brain seemed
crushed 10 aquaking, aching jelly Igrew diz
:. ana blind, and laid my face down on hi'
,laie' and clasped my arms round his neck IL
n'lrS he carry me of his own accord to h:
S'aUi', where they'd know me and take care o
me- M Little Bobby came out, CRYING terribly
ne was my pet, and didn't mean any harm
ne only did 1t out of fun. He led me home
g.Ssins me, all the way, not to tell. never
l1'n they saw me, they were only too glad
- larry me back into my own chamber; but
''I something else to think about. Id rather
n nan have been safe and sound in the garnet
iHe doctor came, and, by the measures he took
i nheW he thought the case was pretty serious
'hsy wouldn't let me see a priest, for fea,
s''uia agitate me; and how could have con
.ssSed II he had come /? Ny m emory was oddly
IInec'ed- l could recolleet thing as well as ever
RI. o'el' not words; and when / could, used
uem half the time at cross purposes.
4, went to sleep, and dreamed 1 had died
~ soul flew up, light, like balloon, away from
me earlh, while tried to hold ON, first by the
slas'' and stones, and bushes, and then by the
ree'' and chlmneyS, and mountains, and then