The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-09-15

on their own ground, and not seldom defeat
them with their own weapons. How it used
to delight the old folks to sit in their arm chairs
and listen to one Of these wars of words, and
how their eyes would twinkle with Joy and
pride when "our Betsy" would come off vic.
torious Had Miss Lizzie been of less do
mestic disposition, had her selfpoise been less
equalized, her home affections less acute, or
her enthusiasm more concentrated and intense
there is no doubt but she would have become
missionary or . female preacher, and might
have been as successful, as famous, and as
unhappy, as Harriet Liyermore. But, fond Of
reasoning and argument though she was, and
profound believer, her controlling virtues
were homely. She felt no call to 60 abroad
and preach, SO long as there at the farm were
her parents to take care Of And for her min
istry, half the good that was required to be
done in the immediate neighborhood would
give her plentiful work to do. So she. re-
manned at home, the pride Of those who knew
her, and the idol of her worthy old parents.
A woman like Miss Lizzie could not of course
want for suitors, Her own personal charms
and her delightful character would have insured
her these, apart from other considerations and
then her father was q very wealthy man, and
she the only child. There was scarcely young
man in the vicinage but had sought her for his
wife, and it was currently reported that there
never had come to the house q single unmar-
ried preacher but had fallen desperately in love
with the young heiress, who, in addition to her
ability to write a sermon, and her charming
disposition, would bring her husband at least
an hundred thousand dollars for dowry. But Liz
zie sent them all away, some laughingly, some
compassionately and with tears, all kindly, but
all positively, and remained singularly heart
whole. Her parents began to say that our
Betsy" would never marry, but would become
an old maid, and they were in doubt whether
this was subject for regret or congratulation.
Lizzie said, laughingly, that she valued her
own independence too much ever to think OF
marrying; and anyhow, the right man had not
yet made his appearance. She would wait un-
til he came.
So things went on, and Lizzie had reached
her twenty fifth year, woman lovely at hear,
and beloved by every one. Her parents were
grown quite old and feeble now, and required
her constant attention. At this time occurred
the cardinal incident in our friends life.
AS is customary with the settlers in a new
country, where habitations are few, and sights
infrequent, the cottage was built immediately
upon the county road, so that whatever passed
could be seen. In front of the house was q
small grass plot, enclosed within paling fence
and here and there besprinkled with beds Of
flowers, for which Lizzie had even mere than
her sex's fondness Two or three rustic seats
also were placed under the trees, and, depend.
ing from high branch of the largest oak, hung
swing made of grape vine withes, in which
Miss Lizzie used very frequently to recreats
herself. She was swaying to and fro in this
very swing one June afternoon, with book in
her lap, and her hair somewhat disordered
Tho old foly, ct;l v,o1l.r, 4 IL
in wholesome after-dinner fashion, and Lizzie
who was never lonesome, had somehow found
her book less entertaining to day than usual
her letters were all written for the next mail
and SO, with the second volume of Pamela in
her hands, she had resorted to the swing as to
an old companion. Not swinging 80 much
nor reading very much, but giving way to q
dreamy sort of thinking, that was delightfully."-
hazy and indefinite - delightfully."- unlike ex
ertion, and therefore according with her mood
for, though an eminrntly practical body, and
not given to dreams, nor an admirer of the dolce
far niente, she yet had her moments of maiden
meditation, when thought mystically rapt
CLEANED after the lotos-island's dreamy quiet
the better to indulge ITSELF The yellow sun
spots deaked here and there the lawn through
the tree-tops, the dying breeze of evening sigh
ed itself away among the distant pines, the
roses breathed their altar towards her, the
honeysuckles were redolent with the burden Of
their sweets, from the clover-lot came the faint
hum of the voluptuous bees, and above there
where the view was not intercepted loitered in
dolently the moons pale-gray crescent What
did the wise man mean? Was not all this en-
joyable, worthy to be INDUCED for it's own
sake? Where was the "Uanitas uanitatum, y
the "vexation of spirit" in nature 80 charm
ing as this Z Dry your tears, Pamela, and 60
into the country. Cure your dyspepsy, oh Sol
ONION, Danish your concubines, and establish a
hunting-lodge in shady Lebanon" For life
is gift thing perfect of ITSELF and not ne
cessarily to be regarded as mere stage of ex
istence. Thus ran her thoughts.
Bruno, the huge brindle mastiff, bays out q
deep-toned alarum, and Mignonne clatters q
quick bark Some one must be coming. Liz
zie, shaking off her revery, glanced up, and
saw coming along the road towards the house
lad of apparently sixteen years, whose slow
heavy, and uncertain step seemed to indicate the
WEAKNESS of long travel. AS he drew near, be
glanced wishfully at the house and at her, and
walked yet more slowly. At the gate he hest
tated, paused, half reached out his hand to lift
the latch, then withdrew it, and made out as il
to move on-evidently longing to stop, but fear
ing to do so. His looks were so weary, his
manner so embarrassed, and his appearance SC
forlorn, that Lizzie's quick sympathies were
awakened in his behalf, and in her kindlies,
tones she called out Come in the dogs shall
not harm you'll"
The lad opened the gate, and, as she jumped
down from the swing, came towards her. He
was rather tall, and, though pale and thin, was
very handsome. Spite of his worn and travel
soiled clothes, his barred feet and poverty
otral- DIR ha ofr L. LID
been genteely bred. AS he approached, he
took off his ragged straw hat, and made hel
a courteous bow. Lizzie thought that Sil
Charles Grandson could not have done il
better.
"Good evening, madam" said he, still keep
ing his hat of, and speaking most pleasantly
with a slow and accurate enunciation; 8" vii
you permit me to get drink of water from
your well 2"
will have you glass got, my lad" said
Lizzie, who affected the old woman when with
boys, but would you not rather have gass
of milk 1t is more refreshing, and you seem
tired"
The boys eyes sparkled. off it is o(<ouble
madam" said he, shall be very grateful"
Lizzie called to one of the servant women
You lock hungry-are you not 2" asked she
cycling him with compassion.
he colored up. No, thank you," he began
bnt hesitating moment, said, " am hungry
very hungry. have eaten nothing but crus,
of bread to day"
Priscilla" cried Lizzie, Z" go to the pantry
quick; here are the keys. Bring pitcher Of
milk, and some biscuits, on pfate-and thai
piece of cold chicken on the second shelf Put
them on waiter, and don't stay minute The
poor boy looks half starved" added she, in a
partial aside When the servent started off
Lizzie turned again towards the lad. "You
seem fatigued. Have you walked far to-day %
From -" said he, naming a town.
Why, that is more than twenty miles You
were not going further this evening? Where