, 1859-01-20
TWO SIDES TO THE PICTURE,
DY ALICE B. HAVEN.
Concluded.

The first time she came, the mistress Of
Higtlwuod bad been shown into the little, stiff
best room where the chairs stood ut precise
right angles with each other, and no article
Of furniture seemed capable Of changing its
situation, any more than If scre1sl to its
place. Mrs. James was in futtcr, too and
excused herself to put Oh dartge dress and
as her best room. But Mrs.. Livingston ask
cd to bc shown the house, and at mircd the
kitchen, and sympatbized with the leaky roof
and promised that it should he attended to,
and suggested nay Of enlarging tnc bed
room, by taking in deep pantry, or store
room, und adliu: an outer kitchen for the
heavy work, with the milk room ut one end.
Finally, ehe established herself in the door-
way, just where she was sitting now. and
when she came alone, after that, refused to
be entertained anywhere else. BY degrees,
the Stiffness and autter Of these wits wore Of,
and Mrs. James scwcd and talked, aud inscn-
sibly fell into euumerating the hardships Of
her lot, which always seemed aggravated by
tue sight OF Mrs. Liringe1on's dainty toilet
and abundant leisure,
"Come here, little Joe,' tue visitor said,
holding out her hand to the flushed, half-pout-
ing child, who had rolled out OF un aftsrnoon
| nap and the low trundle.bed, and stood bare
foot, on the floor, cycling her through his
| curls.
The sulky little face visib}y frightened at
| tbc sound OF her voice, and the Insurance
that his mothers visitor was no other than
| the pretty lady he loved next to her aud,
! cdgin. shyly along, he WAS soon seated in
her lap, and playing with the bright rings
that were IN endless wonder aud anlusc-
mcnt.
'Tlat'sjust the way lit goes, Mrs. Living
stou,' sighed Mrs Jamee, preparing to get up
aud bring the child's shoes and stockings !;
tits nothing hut waiting on one or The other
| all the time. Here I'd just got Peter of to
school he's begun to 60 this qurter-and
washed Johuy and Tommy, put on their clean
aprons, and just rs I got about ten stitches
done, up wakes Joe, and all to 60 over again
and by that, their father sends for me to
hunt up something out Of his tool-roou, md
then it's time to put on the tca-kettlc and
go it is.''
"They kept you pretty busy, I'm surc,''
said Mrs. Livingston, checrfully, T. but you
wouldn't part with one Of them, for all.'
! She said this little ncrvously, and watch
cd for the answer.
"1 don't know about that wait till you
come to have four oil Of size"
,,"1 wish had s3, for that matter, rather
than none !; shall never have any children .
l AbA AZ JoaAt. Cs W. t%A14 $%AAs AAaA
Mrs James thought "people never do know
when they are we'll OFF,
~ an older than you, and have cen mar
ricl quite rs long. Mrs. James" It seemed
scarcely possible, 50 mntronly was the one, &c
slight and girlish the figure Of the other still.
"Ob, you don't know, you can't tell how
envy you never come here without il, said
Mrs. Livingston, moment after. "Tnere cal
bc no love, nm happiness like it. CAildl<sS
! you don't know what terrible word that is
I could bear all the rest" she WAS going te
adl, "and perhaps it would not he so If he
vas iathcr; :" Int the chief bitterness vas
unspokcn, only her face wore a convulsed
. miserable look, that Mrs james marTelled ut
but could not understand. Il don't read M
Bible very often--not as often as should,
: kuow-but when do, it always opens Of it
self to the story of Hannah or Rachel. Per
haps you wonder at them as you do at me.
have prayed, with them, give me children
OF else die II but God has forgotten me =
: And >hc hid her face in tue child's fair lair
as she bent down over him, and strained hin
closely to her.
Mrs James did wonder. Gould it be pos
. | sihle that children were really blessing, AMI
not trial, nfter all?
But Mr.. Llyiueston Was not unpractiset
IN quick selEcont1ol. Her daily life taugh
her that, perhaps, Of all the people she callet
friends, VITO had eaten at her table and slep
under her roof, that summer, no one had eve
, seen 50 far into her heart. When she lifte'
her head, moment after, there was only th
winning, coaxing smile OF one Who comes II
ask taror aud is seldom refused. Ho'
much anxiety it masked no one could tell
!, Well, then, since children are only tror
bic, 60 much the better for me-" she sait
, lightly, 50 much the more hope that sha
get what have set my hear on, md III
: Livingston consents to. We want to rid 80
Of part Of your burden, and carry of l!ttl
Joe. Say, please; pretty, my boy, ind com
= and have nc for your mamma, and a lst
!, pony With long tail, Q hat and feather lii
niue. Oh, what fine times we shall hare!
1t was said gaily enough, and the chill
:, c}apped his hands at the prospect Of the pom
" aud the plume. 4 quick pang Of jealous fes
= shot through his mothers heart, aud et
put out her hands inEo}untazily to take BIZ
away.
= II am quite in earnest = said Mrs. Ii
iugston more quietly, still retaining the chill
. II have always had fancy for him, and Whe
u I saw Mr. Livlngstou's notice Vas attracte'
the plan flashed into ny mind, though ne