Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-08-06


spect to one of your age"
"To one of my age, indeed r she ex-
claimed, Indignantly. 81 fancy, sir, that
! am not as old as you take me to be-
and besides, what do you know about my
ageg'
PERSONALLY, I know very little about
it, madam, for you are aware that during
many years of your life, 1 was--to use
law phrase-not "in esse" But believe
your Oldest son is about my age, and I
heard old Tom Hewitt say
"Old Tom Hewitt knows no more about
my age than you do, sir. But We will not
quarrel about it, so tell me if you have
heard from your father lately. He he is
a particular favorite of mine, but reckon
he has forgotten that there is such being
in existence, as myself. .
'No he hasn't, madam, for received
letter from him yesterday, and assure you
that he speaks in very warm terms of
you"
There was something in his tone and
manner that caused her to look down, as
if conscious of the irony contained in his
remark; and feeling uncomfortable, she
resolved to throw him off and direct her
conversation to Jane, from whom she
hoped to gather something that might
tend to enlighten her upon the chances of
a reconciliation between her and her uncle
Estelle This was the object of her visit.
With this view, she asked Jane when she
expected to return to Winchester
"In few weeks, or months, or years,
madam" Was the ambiguous answer.
"Perhaps it would be more correct to
say whenever your uncle Joseph desires
it." Mrs Meddler suggested.
A look from Jane brought Motley again
to the rescue, and he answered-"Not, at
all, madam, for Jane is no longer under
the control of Joe Estelle, and he knows
it,"
"Indeed" She exclaimed, feigning
surprise. ~ did not know that Jane had
chosen another guardian, or would not
have asked the question. Butt hope have
given no offense, for, really, | meant no
harm"
"You have given no offense," Motley
replied Though Jane was the person
directly addressed, "nor have you done
any harm even if you intended it. But l
had supposed, from the intimacy existing
between you and Mr.. Estelle, that you
were acquainted with the transactions of
the last few days"
"You arc mistaken, sir, if you suppose
there is any great intimacy between Mr..
Estclle and myself. He is an old acquain-
tance, and friend, too, and as such there
can be no impropriety in our friendly in
tercourse"
"None whatever, madam. On the con-
trary, it is pleasant to see old friends cling
to each other with constancy especially
when they are so entirely congenial, as in
your, and his case. You and Joe Estelle
have been intimate ever since / can re-
member, and SO much SO that old Tom
Hewitt used to say"
"Mr. Motley, did not believe that you
would take pleasure in wounding my feel
ings by repeating, on all occasions, what
old Tom Hewitt said about me, for you
know very well that nobody believed any
thing he said about me, or any one else.-
And if were to tell what he said about
you, sir, perhaps you would cease to quote
his remarks about other people"
perhaps l might, madam, provided he
told the truth; but care very little what
is said of me, however bad it may be, pro-
yided it is not true. Most persons, you
know, finch when they hear the truth
told of them, because the good they do is
sure to be forgotten, whilst the evil is re-
ported with faithfulness of memory that
proves how much more prone we are to
censure than to praise. Icould make this
clearer by illustration, were it proper to
sustain the proposition by citing individual
example. And now, having delivered my
self of this sage reflection, am ready to
hear what old Tom Hewitt said of me-"
81 shall not tell you what he said, Mr.
Motley-at least, not now; and as it get
ting late, must bid you all good EVENING" p
Her departure was relief to those upon
whom she forced her unwelcome presence
and as soon as she was out of hearing,
they gave vent to the laugh which polite
ness had so long suppressed.
"Tell us, Mr.. Motley" said Helen,
No,bat e,,,,rc. % o11 H.,