The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1859-03-16

dom OF their choice. They were at least
not subjected to the patronage of friends,
'Tho' in return for advice, perhaps would
assume the prerogative of directing all
their affairs.
On entering the BARRIERS shop found
myself Enthusiastically in the presence of a
gentleman, one, who to natures nobility.
added the. .poAsh Of intelligence and re.
hnement Of manners. He had fine per.
son and a handsome countenance. ard
was apparently not more than twenty.
eight years OF age. AS | submitted INV
countenance tc operations and he conver
sed easily and pleasantly, nv curiosity
increased TO learn what had induced one
so gifted to place himself in so unusual a
position. But AS there was no aIlusion
20 his, previous circumstances in his con-
versa.lon, did not feel at liberty 10 be
'nqnlslllve. 4 became regular custom.
er, and decided to prolong my stay in
S-- indefinitely, as fancy or pleas.
ure might dictate. My admiration of
Elton increased on acquaintance. He
was keen observer Of human mature.
and had picked up many curious facts
from h's chance customers, whom he had
peculiar faculty Of drawing out. He
had genial wit that amused, and ne.
cu''ar harmonzing influence ,la. made
YOU feel on excellent terms with yourself
&nd with him while uuder his hands. and
lett you on better footing with the world
IN genera, though you could scarce tell
why. One day in walking out passed
his residence. | had learned its location
from my landlord. I, was a small, nea,
white cottage, with few shade trees iu
front, and some towering shrubs clothing
the smooth lawn. T. large, well,kept
garden was in the rear, and. adjoining. a
barn, poultry house and yard. fel,
curlositr &c enter and note if it's internal
arrangements were in keeping with the
exterior, which did not doubt. But |
had nc ?retext for doing so, and | had
never beeu invited i,y ,ho proprietor. |
was thinking Of this when next | wen, to
his shop TO avail myself of his service,
lie must have been en- rapport with me,
| think, for before left lie invited me TO
call at his house that evening.
'Iney saw few VISITORS he said, kent
nn 40 intercourse Of mere ceremony, nei
ther ho nor his wife being willing to sub.
mt TO the irksomeness and loss Of time
II 'nVoIycd.'tor which no equivalent was
received. Whenever either Of them met
with persons whose society afforded them
real enjoyment, and they thought the en-
Joymept would be mutual, they sought
their cqnaintauco-tleir friendship
felt 1T once that he was sincere, and
1 was infinitely flaitered by his preference.
| had never received a mark Of favor that
thought was SO true tribute to any
real worth OF which | might be possess,
ed, or that RAISED me more IN nv OWE
esteem. told him had intended to re.
main some weeks in their quiet village to
recruit my energies, and nothing would
afford me greater pleasure, or contribute,
1 was sure, IGore TO my benefit than to
cultivate his acquaintance, and | did not
doub. ! should find his wife equally agree
able, trusting TO his good taste and judg.
ment in the choice.
Come aud see,' he answered, smiling.
| went about Ave o'clock Of the same
evening, which WAS the time he designa.
ted. lie met me at the door with a cor
dial smile and shake Of the hand. and
then took me into the little parIor where
his wife was seated. On being introdpcel
she rose and give me her hand with the
cordiality Of an old acquaintance. Her
husband, she said, had spoken OF me, and
| felt assured by her manner that he had
impressed her favorabIy toward me. She
was rather below the medium height, bad
dark brown hair and eyes, and a remar :.
kab'y clear complexion. Her features
were not regular, but The expression of
her couEtenance was peculiarly pleasing,
and ditfused over them charm fa. high
er than mere phy ysical beauty. She look
ed Ii ke one whose life WAS well regulated.
iier form was model Of symmetry, and
her movements were perfect grace. They
seemed set To- music, and | have no doubt
they were, the music of her souI. She
WAS dressed in neatly fitting white
wrapper, ~itt her hair in plain bands, re.
veaIihg the classic form Of her head
cheap and simple, but they had the effect
OF elegance, almost uxUrousness. There
was nothing gaudy, no attempt at dis
play. but everything was in the most ex
qnisile taste, and you felt somehow, a
sort OF home feeling, a sense o. comfort
come over you on enteriu & the apartment.
! experienced this in some degree at
first, hut not to the extent ] did when I
had become somewhat familiarized there
Some Of the most delicious hours I ever
spent, were passed in this room, reclining
upon lounge, among the cushions with
which It's mistress had furnished it, book
in hand, realizing the paradise oftae poet
Gray. The moral atmosphere Of those
who inhabit house pervades it, there is
no doubt about that. In some houses |
have felt An unpleasant sense Of coustric
ton for which ! could not account, even
when I was alone in my Owl room. There
was nothlrgoi this kind here. The very
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