True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-11-24
Murder in the Second Degree.
BY HELEN FoRREsr GRAVES.

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H6o By HELEN FoRREsT GRAVES. u
Dear me ! what terrible snow siorm!'
calculated Mrs. Evelyn, putting aside the
window curtains, with a white, richly
ringed hand, and gazing out on the grey,
December sky, half obscured by The whirl.
winds Of driving snow what dreadful
winter we are going to have, and how the
poor will suffer !" .,.. r
Her philanlhropic sigh was echoed by
Miss Olivia Evelyn, who sat opposite the
fire in velvet morning robe and small
satin slippers, bordered with snowy er.
mine. The young lady was engaged in
looking over gilt bound account book,
containing the names Of the members Of
some charitable association or other, OF
which her mother was lady President,
for Mrs. Evelyn excelled in humane The.
ories and elegant sensibiliiies. She liked,
passing we'll, to be leader in her aristo.
cratic set and nothing could be more
agreeable than to sit in the COMMITTEE
ROOM her white hand (Iiamond ring
uppermost. you may be surs) resting
lightly on the crimson draped table before
her, and listen sweetly to the names Of
those who poured in with their subscrip.
tons. No one gave SO literally as Mrs.
Evelyn and her daughter--they were
burning and shining lights in the charita.
BILE world. .is.,... ...
To be sure some Of their envious sian !.
derers would quote from that old and OBJ.
solete volume, called the Bible, something
or other about letting the left hand know
what the right hand did, and about a ca.
mel and needles eye. as being applica-
BILE to rich people. But this was all ridic.
ulous nonsense--just as though some day
flight Of eriAl stairs. carpeled with vel
vet, wouldn'l belet down from the sky for
Mrs. Evelyn 10 ascend upward, in as gen.
teel manner as possible! - 49,.
'Olivin, my darling lisped mamma, 10
the sweetest Of dulcet voices, 'are you
sure the accounts are all right? The
Committee meets at our house to-day, 10
settle that question about the poor of Hin
dostan Z s,.l ... ... S. =
Miss Olivia signifed that all was in
readiness, and moved her chair closer to
10 the FIRE. as keen blast swept by the
window. set -. ..
Johu, put some more coal on the CRATE
and see that the drawing room fires are
kept well repleniahed. The weather is
so terrible 7 y.aa .. .,..,t
4 And, as Mrs. Evelyn spoke, she drew
close round her shoulders magnificent
Indian shawl. and looked complaceutly
sbou. the splendid apartment, carpeted
with the richest Wilton, drsped with cur.
tains Of crimson and gold, and redolent OIL
the sweet fragrance Of tube roses, cape
jessemines and geraniums, whose delicate
blossoms expanded on guided stand
near by, as brightly as though The perfu
med warmth Of the atmosphere reminded
them Of their own native tropics.
Just then a modest Tap sounded at the
door, and the nursemaid appeared.
If you please ma'am. it's my Afternoon
out, and the wages was due yesterday
three months, ma'am is eighteen dollars
could you, please to let me have it TO
dayl' g as
Really, Mary said Mrs. Evelyn, smi
ling blandly, IT'S quite impossible to
day; some other time will attend 10 il.
But ma'am, my brother starts fo
Californy tomorrow, and can't make ~
the passage money without it. Couldn'
you possibly f t
MARY, Mary said Mrs. Evelyn, will
an air Of mild reproof, how often have
checked you for being so importunate 2
II is out Of the question; Mr.. Evelyn did
+ not leave any money to-day
Mary shut the door with bang. Will
little girl who was playing with her dol
in the window seat, exclaimed, open
moulhed: -,
! %, mamma what q story I when pa
,. lpa gave you whole handful Of gold pie
ces this very morning = te' \ .al
: 'Lauretta 2 said Mrs. Evelyn, crimson
ing and losing her temper completely
don't speak in that way again. Wha
,: do little girls know Of domestic economy
! Don't you remember that sister Olivis'
. bonnet is not yet paid for, and that m
: annual subscription to tho society fall
due to-day g. .a .oa r., @e}1 .
Little Lauretta was silsnced,, but Oh
sat pondering 10 her mind how It was
that Mary shouldn't be paid, as we'll a
Madam Lisle and the Society dues.
. but mamma she said, f.is just lik
!, cheating n ..i5aa aassilomk
, Leave the room this minute said Mr.
Q Evelyn, angrily; i can't be annoye
8 with your chatter! How these childre
2 do talk, to be sure she added as the It'll
girl reluctantly retreated. sg29g Os1q ,
She had scarcely readl,W pages in III
latest published volume Of tPoems,' whe
the door opened again, aud the liverie
!, John appeared with little LaurOiia ut hi
. heels. sq,s8 5gen4 Ql 1g y ssh 10 /,
We'll, John, what is iti' said Mr.
Evelyn with an air Of resignation. oag
. elf you please, ma'am, there's a DO
: down In ths hall says he's starving an