Brookville American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1858-1861, 1858-11-26
tia and Jack. Jack, the youngest. was

lpether, and then my step father died
leaving his children and myself will
equal portions. My mother followed
him in a few months, and we were lef
in the guardianship Of q young lawyer
n who did not pretend to take any inter
> est in us beyond his legal duties. Th'
old house keeper managed the domestic
concerns, and we all attended school
S except Edward, who was still in Sar
S francisco.
Q soon began to foel that was in AT
. uncomfortable position. Letitia woulC
0 have loved me, and was never inten
tionally unkind, but her brother let m'
know that they considered me an in
, truder, an alien in their home, who hac
} taken daughters portion. Daily
. Sights, unkind hints, contemptuou'
GOODNESS, and a complete exclusion from
|, all the family consultations, or conf
+ Dental intercourse, left me cruelty
alive to their state of feeling toward:
me-
!, L was a very timid girl, without
strength to bear up, either against
others, or my own self-distrust. l knew
myself unwelcome, yet dared not &c
away. was fearful OF leaving shelter
even so bleak as this, for the wide, wide
world.
l tried to make them love me; but
found that the gentleness and patience
| struggled for, were called abjectness,
my good will, officiousness; and my ST.
Ience, sullenncss. was not one who
conId compel affection, | found, to my
sorrow.
endured a whole year of this mise
ry, and then Edward came home. He
was welcomed with joy by all but my
self had never seen him, and there
fore feared him. felt that if he were
my enemy too, / must become desperate
enough to leave them, though l had no
relatives 10 go to.
Theevening of Edwards return was
spent in question and answer, among
the children of the same father. sat
apart. Edward had spoken kindly to
me when lie first came, calling me sis
ter Agnes; and several times he tried to
give me chance to enter into the gen.
eral conversation, as any polite gentle
man would. But / was too uncertain OF
my hearers to talk, so became listen
er only. i judged, from what l heard
and saw, that Edward was quick
ten percd, open hearted man, u gentle
man in feeling, yet used 20 roughing
it in new country.
The next evening, my new brother
asked NE to give him some music. My
hands trembed, and grew SO cold, that
l continually made mistakes; | endeav-
orcd to remedy them, and so grew con
fused At last / tried lively, easy
waltz, in hopes Of recovering myself
Jack began 10 beat time. 1t distracted
me.
You never can keep time with Ag-
res, he said, IS eaIways breaks down. "
Edward was standing by me; | could
see by the mirror before me, that he turu-
cd quickly and gave lack an angry look.
1t only confused me the more, aud bung-
cd again.
"Ihere-I told you sol' cried Jack.
Hear that"
"And how dare you beat time at all,
you unciyil little monkey" Edward
burst out. Let me hear any moro Of
your impertinence, and I will put you
out OF the room!'
was too frightened to go on, and
left the paror. My room was directly
overhead | heard Edwards voice, in
deep tones, talking very earnestly. As
they came up stairs to retire, | heard
him say 10 Letlie, as ,hey passed my
door,
'She is in confounded uncomforta-
bic situation, any how, and If those boys
make it as intolerable for her as they
have dore since | have teen here, |
shall sec what to havedUnc with them.
lie then kissed her tor good night.
laid u happy head upon my pillow
had friend.
The next day | went to the library
for book Edward was there, very
busy writing. Jack was getting down
some volumes, and as the one | wanted
was beyond my reach, | ycnturcd tC
ask him To get it for me. | was under
his hand the moment | spoke. III,
came down the steps without it, anc
stood directly before me, staring int
my face:
pray who was your last waiter?' h'
said. 1T is an honor | decline
Edward strodc forward, seized hin
by the collar, and shook him until hi
teeth ratified.
Now, you monkey" he said, "climl
those steps this instant, and down witt
that book Or no-Agnes may not lik
10 take it from such unmannerly hands
| will get it tor her myself
lie gave it TO mo with a kind bow
and glance of apology towards Jack
who stood before him white with rag,
l escaped from the room, quite afraid {
my fierce defender.
1t was Charles turn to meet with RI
proof next. lIo was asking Letiti
what had become of his coat. | hal
pencd TO know, and she did not.
= replied;
The tailor has taken it to alter. II
wished To know If you wanted Il
2 sleeve cuffs velvet lined. Do w
Charles?"
lie deigned me no reply. care
much more for him than Tor Jack.
felt myself flush painful as | said:
IL only asked because he is comiI
cr again, and desired word to be |,
ms about it..
lv As usual, l fed TO my room to co
" ceal my tears. But was afraid lmig
I'd be missed if stayed too long, and tn
nd excite Edwards dangerous composite
-, I w,shed my owes. and FASTENED dOl