Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1859-05-14


the earthen floor, which was worn into holes
and damp in some places:) and when some
new glass is put in the window there, u VIII
be so clean and cheerful, with Agnes to see
that it's all right, that you'll not rue any lit
tie money you may spend OH it, believe me-"
81 have lived here many year without
carpets and window curtains, ay, and without
flags on the kitchen-what's good enough for
me won't do for her, ] suppose" SAID Mrs
Murphy, in sharp, bitter voice.
CAV. it's true; it done for Betty-lny Bet
ty. as ii is-and why shouldn't it do for Rob
ert's wife too 7" cried the old man grutiiy;
aTo be sure she's to bring such gredt. for
time with her, that she'll buy new furniture
out and out" sneered Mrs. Murphy, with
| malicious smile on her thin lips.
The father of Agnes Redeemed with anger.
~ al am sorry my daughter is to enter your
house, he cried passionately; my daugh-
ter who is one of the best treasures OF heaven
in herself-my daughter to be twitted foryou,
because she does not bring large fortune.
| have saved a moderate fortune Tor her, as
mncb "a girls of her rank usually have--as
mueb as your son, Mrs Murphy, is entitled
to, let me tell you but if he-lf you, ROBERT,
have such sentiments regarding my daughter )
fortune. as your mother expresses, my daugh-
ter shall never enter tins house-itis - ho' Wv
too late to break OIL" Ia,
He was interrupted by Robert who, with
avery appearance of sincerity, and with real
sincerity at the moment, made protestations
| that he never dreamed of being discontented,
because that his Agnes had not more fortune.
The schoolmaster was a little pacil1ed Dut
! he sighed deeply and seemed very sorrow
full. aPoor Agnes-the good daughter.the
| delight of my eyes to hear them talking
about her fortune--her, with all the riches OF
goodness and kindliness in her-the rlches
that gold and silver can never bring 10 many
wealthy man it's heart breaking 10 near
Iit.n He smoke slowly and dreamily, as Il IN
a sad reverie on the future tate 10 winch ms
daughter might be subjected.
| aYou love her, see-you're very iona OF
Agnes,n said Mrs. Murphy.
i'Love heri ay, love her, indeed-nobody
knows how love her. God knows l We peei,
troubled sometimes thinking that eooa
wouldn't happen her, because love her too
well--the darling girl, she's so IKE her
mother.''
"she is,' replied Mrs. Murphy" she is
| like her mother - and a look OF bitterness,
mingled with triumph, passed over her taee.
g Her good. beautiful mother, who died
| and left me SO soon,n continued the school-
master. Agnes doesn't speak, or smile, or
| walk. or turn round, but | think see her
mother before me. Don't you see II, MRS.
Murphy You remember her mother; Ism
the likeness great y - ~
Little did the schoolmaster dream OF the
old. but unhealed and cankering wound he
was probing as he spoke.
:" i remember it well remember her very
well." Mrs. Murphy turned her face towards
the window as she spoke but neither her
voice nor countenance betrayed any emotion.
ssI Il was not the wish of my poor Agnes
that should talk to you about these little
matters hay mentioned. She begged NEE
not to speak on the subject the dear glrl
for it's no ambition to be finer than her neigh
bors, or the like of that makes her wish 10
have things tasty. She told me she coulu
live with Robert in the worst cabin in Ireland,
and think it no hardship; though, to be sure
ii her circumstances allowed it, she would
like to have nice clean house, to make her
husband comfortable, and content with ms
home"
Shortly afterwards the father of Agnes took
his leave, carrying message from Robert, to
the effect that he would spend the evening
with his bride elect.
ssDo not be late of returning home this
evening, Robert Mrs. Murphy said TO her
son, when the schOolmaster had gone
want to have some very particular conversa-
tion with you.''
she was so shortly to leave for her new home
-or rather, which she calculated on leaving.
A female cousin was with her, and they were
both busily engaged in finishing dress. It
was not the white muslin bridal dress, with
its white ribbpns-that was finished already |
it was printed calico dress, for everyday
household wear.
The smile and the blush of the young bride |
showed beyond all doubt that she was one OF
the happy She hadlarge, bright, aifectionate
brown ewes, with smooth and pink-tinted
complexion, and soft brown hair; her face
and figure were altogether very pleasing and
graceful As she sat and sewed industriously
She looked round the little parlor with half
sigh now and again, that she was so soon to
leave il.
It was humble room, when compared with
fine apartments; nevertheless, it was most
cheering and comfortable, and there was taste
displayed in its decorations. 1t was well
lighted with two windows to the south the
window panes were strikingly bright and un-
fractured for an Irish cottage. The walls of
the little parlor were painted of light gold
colored green; the chintz window-curtains
were white and green, with scattered rose
colored flowers the carpet was of green,
scarlet and white. There was small mahoga
NY centre-table, which had been kept most
carefully polished il was, indeed, perfect
mirror in its way, that little table, for it re-
fected distinctly the glass filed with beauti-
full red and white roses, which stood on it.
There was canary in handsome green wire
cage happy, healthy canary it was, with
remarkably beautiful plumage, and particu
larly pleasing note. There were pots of flow
ering plants in the window-seats, covered
with profusion of green leaves and many
tinted blossoms. 1t was in every respect
neat and pretty room, and showed that Agnes
was gifted with tastes too rarely alas to be
met with in her rank in Ireland.
The bright tint on the cheek of Agnes, and
the glow in her happy eyes, showed that she
and her cousin were talking of Robert Muir
ply.
i'He is so kind to his mother-so attentive
to her slightest wish,' said Agnes.
She has very great influence over him, |
believe" said the cousin, who was thin,
e-faced, reflective and wise GIRL or woman
considerably past the flush of the bright blood
and bright hopes Of youth, but yet with moth
ing of the ill-nature so falsely attributed to
old maids in general.
very great influence" reiterated Agnes,
gently 'sbut that is not wrong, surely. 1t
is right that mother should have influence
over her son."
She looked earnestly and anxiously in her
cousins face she was eager to hear some ex-
PLANTATION of the doubtful word, or rather
doubtful manner of her cousin, for she fully
appreciated her wisdom and penetration OF
character.
&C 1t is perfectly right that mother should
infiumce her son. provided that influence is
for good" answered the cousin.
q Rut VIM do not surplV think that Robert