American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-01-29

Difference; you speak of her as if she
were my equal, and l do believe tha,
you love her as much as you do mel"
"No, Bell, you do not think so.
DO love Minnie, and why should / not!
She is an orphan-at least she knows
no parents-never knowing a mother S
tender love, with few to care for her,
and l think her your equal in every
respect. Here is your cousin Howard,
| think that he will agree with mo
do you not, Howard" n
"What is it aunt Mary ?-are YOU
discussing the color of Bella's next
ball dress?" said Howard galy.
"No, we were just speaking of Miss
Clarendon. She is lovely girl, and
supports an aged foster mother in com
fort by her own exertions, and in the
three years that she has been with us
have learned to love her dearly"
"Ah yes, she is a sweet girl, | met
her last night, and found that she is an
old friend" ~
Mamma thinks Minnie a perfect
prodigy-to hear her talk one would
think her something more than poor
governess J" .a 'a..
"She is worthy of being, something
more" said Mrs. Seldom warmly
I" And am very sorry to find that you
have so much false pride. Bell, you
may be q governess, YOURSELF some
day"
Bella Seldom, govcrness!r we'll
that isto good" cried Isabella gaily,
" Cousin Howard, are any OF your
friends in want ola governess ?"
"Not that know of, Bella, do you
want me to inquire? But seriously
speaking, Bell, suppose uncle Seldom
should become poor, his wealth taking
to itself wings, as the wealth of many
a one has done, would you think it be.
meath you to employ the talents which
God has given you-not that you sho d
hide them in napkin-but that you
should employ them for the good of
others, as well as for your own gratif
cation. Would it not be far nGbIer to
exert yourself than to sit down in idle
ness, saying | am too good to support
myself, to earn my bread. Twill starve
but never shall work, in any form, dis
grace my hands,"
Cousin Howard turned preacher
when will wonders cease? But as there
is no danger of our ever becoming poor
you can keep your lecture for some one
else !" said Isabel bowing with much
gravity.
Il sincerely hope that you are right
in regard to your never becoming poor,
my child" said her mother, "but do
not trust too much to earthly riches" +"
Again Howard Weldon met Minnie,
not in the gay crowd, but in the quiet
parlor of his uncle's house, giving Rose
her music lesson. Seating himself, he
commenced speaking with Minnie of
by-gone days; and sending Rose to the
library for a book that he knew was
not there, he told Minnie how the men,
ory of her had haunted his dreams ever
since he left her comparatively a child
at the little village. And then, when
he met her beautiful woman, his
widest dreams of beauty and love were
more than realized. Eloquently did he
plead his cause, telling her that she was
all tho world to him; that her pure
heart was all he asked; with her for
his wife his happiness would be com
plete. "
For one moment she raised her timid
eyes to his, then burying her face in
her hands she wept. Oh J.! such rap
turous tears Of JOY and love, such as
an angel might envy, as she murmured,
"thine, love, only thine!'' .|
We will 1eave them in their happi,
ness, as our presence would be rather
intrusive, and we will look after Isabel
and see what she is doing. Sitting by
an open easement, with her embroidery
in her lap,she is buried iD deep thought.
At length rising she goes to a drawer,
and opening small case, taking out q
small miniature, she gazcs long at the
features of a lovely woman then go
ing to her mother, who is sitting close
by, she says, Mother, look at this ;
do you not see striking resemblance
to Minnie in this picture Of aunt Agnes?
See the same blue eyes and broad fore,
head, the same sweet mouth and golden
hair@-could she be the lost child ?"
"The very same why, Isabel, did
we never notice it before and her
name, too, is something like it might
be easily mistaken in hearing it from
q child"
60! / hope that she is, dear aunt
Agnes would be SO happy - said Bell
forgetting her scorn for the 'governess'
in her love for her aunt.