Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-06-16
Gboits MlistelIang.
A FRIELDLY LESSON.
BY E. W. DEVICES.

BY E. W. DEVICES.
The FIRST heavy fall of snow last winter
brought to aunt Letty's hospitsb.e countr
house, a whole cargo, or rather sleigh load O
nieces and nephews. None the less, but Of
ske contrary, all the more welcome were W,
for being unexpected; and after RECALLING u
Z with Quaker supper-and those who hav,
ever partaken will know what that means
aunt Lefty took US to her cosy sitting-room
where we all gathered round the huge woo'
FIRE that always blazed there.
She was dressed, as usual, in soft, dove
colored silk, with one OF those most trans
parent Of caps ihet the Friends wear. aha
ding complexion ofthat peculiar delicacy
which is go common among the Quakers
that one is tempted TO conclude, with Mrs
NiekIebyist logic, that it must be owing te
something in the religion.
Our tongues ran fast, with nonsense o
course, Whoever hoped to get party o
young folks to sit and talk wisdom, will ga
TO his grave a disappointed man. Aunt
Lefty evidently had no such fanciful expec-
ta,ion. She certainly followed all our
vagaries with kind of keen. though hall
covert relish, which was peculiar to her.
At last one of the party remembered, and
claimed, the fulillment of an old7promise
of aunt Letty's. some day TO tell US love
story of her own. The idea was gree.ed
with scclamation; and after trying in vain
TO postpone, or beg off, from her confession,
she began.
Long ago, when thoee who were partial
TO me, called me comely-'
why, aun,y, when did they stop doing
shatr interrupted cousin Jack, rather
forward boy of thirteen 81 think you're a
real Beauty yet
A pretty, pink blush stole over aunt
Letty's delicate, fair face, and dimple
crept slyly into her cheek, but she answer
ed demurely enough.
Thee speaks unadvisely, John; but
trust, at the period of which was speak
ing, thy batteries wcud have been more
likely to do mischief than at present. But
will 90 on with my story; trusting that
nv faults, and those of others, which it
will mske>5ut too manifest, will serve as
warnings to you all.
i have said that was young and comely;
and I7snnsi likewise admit that was fuller
ofvanity, and the spirit of mischief, than
can, now, at all approve on reviewing my
conduct in the sober light of reason. Not
withstanding the advantage of having been
trained under Friends discipline my con-
formity with their doctrines was rather out
ward than inward, as is the case, greatly
fear, with mary other young and thought
less persons.
sIn seventh month of the year, when l
was Just twenty, the illness of my mother
necessiiated US to leave Philadelphia, and
TO take up our abode for season at the
sea-shore. 1t was a quiet, little fishing
village where we sojourned, not place of
gay resort for The children of the world; and
for time. we had the little inn all to our
selves. But after about week, the CON-
pany was increased by the coming of two
Young men, who repaired fhither for the
purpose of spending their college vacation,
or rustication, as think heard it called.
opined, that being of studious turn, they
repaired to this quiet spot, so as tc pursue
their studies undisturbed, and to be able.
conveniently, TO alternate their several la
bors with healthfui recreations. as was fit
ting and judicious.
Their coming made great stir in the
little place, for they were accounted TO be
the sons ofrich men in philadelphia. And
] can certify that they made noise with
guns, and dogs, and horses, to prove their
importance.
Not few persons in the village did think
il not beneath them to watch these youths,
and gossip about them; not will | conceal
that I, myself, being of giddy and unsteady
age, did also observe theTa with idle curios-
ity; for they were comely in features. and
had ways and fashions that seemed to me.
then, not wanting in interest.
'One OF them, Philip -, by name, was
tall and well fashioned, with dark hair and
piercing black eyes. The other. Edward
-, ives much shorter; but his counte-
1e1ce was still more pleasing, and he had
q careless, merry bearing that became him
well.
"A morning or two after their coming,
they were sitting out on the verandah smo-
king their cigars, having their legs raised up
on the railing, higher than was altogether
seemIy or decorous. This observes in pas
sing by, TO 60 down to the garden below. to
tend my pants.
81 went, fret, to water my flower pots
that were placed in row, just below the
yerandah, but from which | could not be
en-, as it was greatly above nv bead -
While thus engaged, inadvertently over
heard the following conversation. repeat
the words as nearly as my memory serves.
trusting, children. that you will bear in
mind that the phrsseology and sentiments
are not mine, but those of the worldly young
men who employed item.
Il say, Edward began Philip, shat was a
confoundedly pretty Quaker girl that went
by just now
so have observed
Il have some thoughts of getting up
little Irritation with her, myself just to pass
the time. DO you think she'd pay fellow
for the iroubiei'
sOh, suppose she'd do for that; and il
you don't mind I'll join the sport. 1t won't
spoil your fun-only make things more in.
teres:ing and exciting
Thank you, think could do as vel
alone; but still don't mind. I'll have pity
on you, as this place is SO confoundsdly
sloy Bl,t Pm aftaid of onn fhipr The