Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-07-30

ried young person of some fortune and was
then on a bridal tour with her in the southern
cities. My father was highly indignant, and
when he returned he told me had better ever
name him again, and think Of him as little as
possible. He was sure il was a great escape to
be rid of such an unprincipled fellow. My
mother loved Richard, and was sadly grieved
at his unworthiuess; but she agreed with nv
father that we had better not talk of him. /
had no choice but to bear it silently; and q
long and weary time had of it, felt that
the hue of my life had changed; that no
longer had the gay spirits that enliyened my
youth; that l must be serious when not sad
but in time measure of cheerfulness returned;
L saw and felt that must comfort the old age
of my parents, and assist in the care of my
brother and sister; | was young and we'll; it
would have been strange had not recovered
from this wound. 1t left scar that cannot be
Obliterated. l cannot again feel what l felt
for Richard. If he had died, it had been easier
to place confidence in another"
The tale was told In broken accents, and with
many pauses, interrupted by EXPLANATIONS
from Ellen, who said at the end she was sure
she should never love another.
do not say so. dear Ellen" said Lucy;
"your love is not reoiprocated. The acquaint-
ance is very short. / am sure you will soon
possess yourself again, and think of Henry az
a pleasant acquaintance, and not connected
with your happiness. You have never been
deceived, and the charm Of your life cannot be
broken as mine was"
They retired late to rest. Ellen resolved
that she would conquer an unrequited attach
ment. 1t was hard at first; the tears of vain
regret would sometimes come to her eyes
Weary hours and listless footsteps could not
always be avoided. She formed plans for the
occupation Of her time, which she steadily ad-
hered to.
The sketches she had made during the sum-
mer were carefully finished; the music was
regularly attended to; q course Of reading sur-
gested by her former teacher was pursued: nor
were the household duties neglected In the
early autumn letter from Edward informed
them that Henry Errington had sailed for Cal
cutts, TO be gone long time. The last hone
was extinguished, and the last tears she'd
A short time after this event a letter from
sister Annie urged Ellen to come and pass the
winter with her. Annie had visited her parents
but twice since her marriage, and Ellen had
by NO means the familiar feeling toward her
that Lucy possessed. She hardly liked the
thought of leaving home for six months But
the companions Of her journey had been sug-
gested by her sister, and she found that it was
expected by all the family that she would ac-
cept the invitation.
She went to her sisters home on the wide
prairie. 1t was great change, but the nov
city interested her. Hanson and his wife had
now been there fourteen years. Every thing
about them was comfortable and abundant.
They had large farm, good house, and all
in it that their condition made desirable.
They had lovely family of FIVE children 1t
is true they had not the advantage of schools
at hand, but they had instructed their chill
dren as much as other cares would allow them.
Ellen at once saw where she could be most
useful, and undertook the task of teaching
without hesitation. ..' q
She found herself most welcome guest. and
her sister a most interesting companion. She
enjoyed her present prosperity the more that
she had suffered many privations during the
early part Of her western residence. She loved
to tell Ellen Of the log house in which she b ad
lived five years, and her various efforts to LII ak
1t habitable. Her life had been one of mapy
expedients; but she had had among some dis
appointments great deal of happiness. John
Hanson's strong arm and warm heart had al
ways aided and cheered her, and she had also
much capacity and energy TO assist him
Annie had something of Aunt Pat Us strong
will; but her early love for John Hanson, and
her tenderest interest in the dear little ones
had softened her character. With such com
paniOns and emplOyments the winter passed
rapidly away.
They were not always without company !;
their neighbors at n few miles distance came
to see them occasionally, and their company
afforded hilarity and enjoyment. Ono, q fine
looking young man, who resided two miles
away, always stopped after church on Sunday
The church was Methodist, and four miles
away. The ladies of the family did not always
attend; but John and the children went when
they did not and he was sure to bring Patter-
son home with him. Patterson had lived on
new farm few years, with mother and two
sisters. The eldest sister as about to marry
and live IN town ten miles away. There
seemed to be change coming over the family,
and Patterson was delighted to make the ac-
quaintance Of one whom he thought t. persuade
to become his own. Ellen soon perceived the
design, but knew not how to put stop TO it,
until the question was asked and his hopes frus-
trated. 1t Was managed in so simple a man
ner that John and his wife had known the
whole; and they were greatly disappOint.
ed. John assured her that Patterson was an
excellent fellow, and would do anything ne
could for her happiness, and Annie did so want
her for a neighbOr that she was almost impor-
tunate. Ellen could not crafty them, and
could not tell them that the preference for m
other still fingered with her. 1t passed; but
the residence was less pleasant than it had been
before, and she welcomed the time of her re-
turn TO her own home; and she persuaded her
brother and sister TO allow her to take with
her the eldest daughter, twelve yars of age to
remain a year and still be her pupil The
mother consented reluctantly; but tho father
said: You know she must have advantages
We cannot give her here And the sacrihce
was made. The young Mary Hanson made her
FIRST journey with her aunt and a merchant
going TO New York from the neighboring town.
Edward received them, and went with them to
the psternal home
Ellen was delighted to reinstate herself in
her former dwelling, with the love of her pa
rents, the companionship of her sister, and the
fond recollections which she could not dismiss
When it was known that she was the in
structor Of her neice, Colonel Thompson, who
lived at the mill, two miles away, came and
urged her to undertake the charge of his two
motherless daughters, near Mary's age The
parents consented. Margaret and Fanny came
every day. Ellen was glad of a daily task;
she felt that she could bear her fate better
when her mind was occupied She took great
interest in her employment Her pupils were
intelligent. She went abroad with them for
flowers, and gave them practical instructions
ias botany; gave them drawing lessons and les
sons on the piano; so that the school hours were
not so long a. to make them tedious The
summer passed quickly. The short autumn
days were filed with various employments
and the cold and snow of winter curtailed their
pursuits out of doors, but gave more time for
study and reading
Ihe winter went by; and one afternoon in
early spring, when Ellen was giving the oirls