The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-01-20


but our old woman had made up her mind, not
only that it would kali her if performed at all, !
but that it would frighten her to death besides,
if performed by any one except poor Herman.
Her sister told me about it afterwards. She
said, she heard the house-door open, and went
out; and her heart was all up in her mouth, for
there was the doctor, takin off his gloves, half
sittin and half standin.' you know how, Con-
stance, and so did II could see HMM that
pensive strong, Antinous way of his, agin the
kitchen table, lookin kind o. thoughtful an pitt
full, so she knowed what he'd come for; but the
minute he see her, he perked his head right up.
and stood up, not a-laughin, but all bright an
ready, an give her look, as much TO say,
SWELL, if faint Jest the pleasantest job in the
world for any on us, Miss Thomas. amt bit
afeared but what I'll make my way well through it
an yourn, too an then he stepped in an bid Miss
Todd good mornin, pleasant an hearty, an took
her hand a second in his so kind, she said from
that minute she want mite afeared of anythin,
such kind strengthenin young hand would do
to her; an then he had it all done and over in
less than no time Herman could not eat his
dinner that day, and Ned laughed him to scorn
but that they did not suspect. There he is,
love; and hear Edwards voice, too. He has
come for me; so we must both go down, and |
must bid you good night. Next week, next
week Constance, and Clara Arden, how natu-
raj it sounds, as if we had always belonged to
each other!n
Herman, have something for you," said
Constance. You wanted to see some of my
verses. have brought you copy of the last
which / wrote, before | entered upon my nevi-
ciate, Just after Sister COrona's brother died."
How well Herman might have liked the
verses, if any other woman than Constance had
written them, j cannot tell. Certain it is that
with all his knightly and hearty respect for the
weaker SEX he had seldom been known TO en-
ter the lists against Edward in defence of what
the latter was pleased very Improperly to denOm
mate petticoat poetry. No other woman than
Constance having written them, however, he
read them twice through without finding any
words in which to express his disapprobation;
but on her modestly requesting him to restore
them to her, he chastised her, by very ruthless
| ly and vigorously pocketing them, merely sta
ting to her, in extenuation of his tyrannical
proceeding, that, in the course of the next five
days, the law would give him possession of all
her worldly goods, and that it could not make
much difference to her when he began to take
| possession.
You will shake the head of an ascetic at
some of my goods and think them too worldly,
! fear when you see them. meant to have a
very simple dress for-W ednesday; but Aunt
| Cora has presented me with white brocade,
and Clara with veil, which looks as if it had
come from Queens wardrobe was not taken
into their counsels beforehand, and it would
have been ungracious i'll me to refuse their
gifts, after they were made. l liked them,
too; was / wrong?"
withhold my judgment until l have seen
them, and seen whether l can help liking them,
too"
"Uncle Henry told me that he should give
me my ornaments, and babe me choose them.
l chose orange-blossoms Are you sorry?"
! Not |. They are the prettiest and sweet
est things in the world
"See what a trick he played me, notwithstand-
! ing" said she, unlocking jewel-case, and put
ting it into Herrnali's hand &" Here they are
necklace, brooch, and earrings, pearl flowers,
and leaves of green enamel"
! Beautiful! and how becoming they will be
/ to You You must still have some real ones,
though, in your hand and your hair. have al
ways depended on that. / shall get those for
you myself; and Clara will weave you
wreath"
"Ah, those will be the dearest, in one sense,
of all my embellishments ! AS for the rest, at
least they cost me less than the muslin and
tuUe l meant to buy. | am glad, 1t leaves
me quite a sum Of money--fve hundred dollars.
| thought it would be more agreeable to the
present feelings of both of us, Herman, to make
a thank Offering to God, in some way, of what
we each had to Spare--to sanctify our happi
ness-than to spend it inshow and unnecessary
expense"
"A novel idea for young bride and beauty
like you; but what sweet and appropriate one
Let us do so. l can spare two hundred and
fifty dollars, | think, with perfect prudence.
Let us put that with half of your money and
then-how shall We dispose of 10"
sob, you must decide that for me-"
Dorhons DrovidoncnI will dacida ~ for
both in some way. Suppos we were to-
Letter for you, Cozzy," said little Willy
Ronaldson, running through the room, and
there's one for DR.. Arden, and here's one for
mamma.
Herman was still deep in his, when he was
startled by moan actually groan, from Con-
stance. Looking up, he was dreadfully alarmed,
to see her sitting, pale and rigid as death, with
her starting eyes, wild with horror, fixed on n
blotted paper which she held in her hand.
What is it? Oh, love, what is it? Y
Starting and drawing in her breath,
crushed the paper instinctively in her fingers,
and took aim with it at the fire but, turning as
abruptly towards him, " See; and spurn me! :"
cried she, gave him the paper, buried her face
in her hands, and prayed, Oh, my God, save
me from the flash in his eyes
His eyes never flashed on her in anger They
rested an instant on the paper, whose contents,
disguised by bad spelling, and large and small,
printing and writing, letters, used indscrim
nately, ran as follows:
:" Miss ConstaNs, DIR Mistis this is to Yform
that / AM oAld gAk kArd in MyA FMS AN Mi
BAk weN uR A BABe AN i was A!lwuZ IA thtul
to AN urZ. / rit to let 80 how AM getiN
Along Mi wifi wuz soAd to MAN to gorge i
wuz soAld to Mr. GrANd, North Carolina. she
wuz six the dA they TUX her kANt here how
she is is getiN AloNg Mi dAwter Mans is here
but i don't hav NO kun fut of hur kos Of yuYg
MAstur Mists seq its her folt AN is cross to hur
shee ses sheet hid under the rivvur for long if
tina woNt let hur B hur swete hart wuz soAld TO
MI cleAuNt for gods Ak Mis- koNstuNs rit AN
help US out of it n KAN help US Nj wits Mt PlAs
skArs Ne wus thaN COAST u will Pleas durrek
to gAk hANMi tuS in kAr ov Mr.. Charles l..
Grand, ESQ.,, NORTH Carolina this direction
to his master looked as if shaped out of nail
rod and had evidently been copied or traced
with the most anxious care from the back of a
letter. ur uMbil servant
gAk hAMMiltun .
The blotted scrawl conveyed little meaning to
Herman's mind. He glanced at it, but could
not wait to make it out. y" What is the matter,
love? Tell mel"
II sold himl" painted she, hoarsely-"I
sold her-I sold them all !"
His face reflected the CONSERVATION of her
own. any poor heartI You sold him all :
how many?r
I" / don't know never knew dare not
Think did not know it was wrong, them
thought it was right have never thought
about it since-Herman, help mel have done
1t. Forasmuch as We have done it unto the
least of these my brethren, We have done it unto
NAL md. abod faor