The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-06-16

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left two years of his youth. He then spran,
into the carriage, threw himself back in it, an,
slouched his hat over his eyes. Some Joys ar
so akin to grief, if not so mingled with it, tina
their oppressive weight is only to be wept away
Edward was as eager as he, to get him owe
the border into free State but after tina
greatly doubted the feasibility of his going on
until he should have spent some days in re
cruiting himself at the best hotel, and unde
the care of the best physician, attainable. But
though Herman endeavored to relieve his anx
iety, unfounded as he considered it, by cheer
full acquiescence in this arrangement, his dis
appointment showed itself 80 clearly through
his transparent face, that his brother had no
the heart to enforce it, and feared, besides, tina
it might injure him, in his enfeebled state, ever
more than fatigue. He set out with him anew
therefore, meaning to induce him at least te
travel slowly, and only by day; but Herman
with his most docile efforts, could not sleep
from eagerness and nervous excitement, with
out the use of opiates, which the state of his di
| gestion forbade and Edward soon made uI
his mind that the only thing to be done was to
| get him home FIRST, and let him rest afterwards
which it seemed that he could do only in hi
own bed, or in his grave. AS the scenery began
! TO wear more and more bome-like aspect, full
of farms and frequent farm houses, towns
churches, and school houses, instead of the late
huge, halfdead, and a-quarter inhabited, plant
atoms, his spirits rose higher and higher, and
his pulse with them. +" If he could only be kept
from being so happy!" thought Edward, as he
looked at him.
AS they reached Springfield, be had one OF
the long heavy swoons of his childhood but
he rallied quickly after finding out where he
was, which he did from Edwards proposing to
stay at Warrener's, and telegraph for Clara to
join them there with Constance and they soon
set off again. And next-he was on the sofa
in the dear old drawing-room ; and Claras arms
were round him and his hand was wet with
Constance's tears; and old Sally more toothless
than ever held his nose, from force of habit,
as she administered to him some hartshorn and
water while the CHEEKY freight and gaslght
shone again on the warm, bright, crimson wills
and furniture, and the old pictures, and through
the open door, on the rich dinner-table ready set
and then they all talked and laughed and cried
together; and Patrick brought him his slippers,
as if he had not been gone day--except that
they were well-warmed this time-the girls had
seen to that-and Bondage was all gone from
hun, hundreds Of miles away in the dim dis
lance, as if it had never been! Sweet voices,
graceful movements, luxury and beauty, were
all around him-how strangely sweet, graceful,
aud beautiful, they were-and it seemed as if
home had cured him, after all for he arose,
took his old place, made a good meal with
good appetite, chatted and frOllicked away the
first CONSERVATION of the girls at his shadowy
looks, and kept mp until the bronze Time over
the clock on the mantelpiece was heard to
strike reprovingly, as many strokes as he could,
with his scythe, on his hour-glass and Edward
ordered his patient off to bed, saying in his ca
pacity of master of the house, that he was go
ing to turn off all the gas.
/" Twelve? Can it be? Well, suppose /
may as well go to my CELL" answered Herman !;
and when he laughed at himself for his odd
mistake, it was with the tears in his eyes, as
he thought of the misery which he had Loft
hind in it, who had not merely no such com
fort and luxury as his, but no such affection,
honor, and happiness, to return to, when the
prison walls should give them up.
On his way to the door he stopped, rlveted
by the sight of Constance's picture. L have
seen it. 1t is worthy of its theme-a worthy
mate to that portrait of himself which nave
mentioned before, and painted BY the same
artist as that 1t is a magnificent bettlepiece,
turbid with smoke, and FISHING with cannon,
as the other was with cloud and lightning.
battery is apparently changing its position
and across plunging and falling horses ana
fighting and fallen men, the slight Vaikyiur
like form of the young Sister OF Charity, IN her
sable robes, darts to the aid of a crawling
soldier, who lies struggling, just before and
under a wheel. She stretches one slender
hand towards him, and with the other. half
buried in the name of the huge chestnut horse,
pushes its rearing neck aside, with courage
more than strength. Her white hood has fallen
back. and her beautiful dark hair clusters
around her temples. Her head Is thrown
back, her eyes are lifted to the face OF the
driver, and her lips parted, as if with a cry
of warning and horror. Her attitude and ex-
preston are full of an extraordinary mingling
of command and entreaty. Her face, lighted
and brought out into strong relief by the glare
of the artillery, might well be taken tor that OF
Joan of Arc. 1t is perhaps the most beautiful
and spirited female one that have ever seen
on canvas; but Herman did not think It so
beautiful as hers, and called her to stand by
il. that he might compare the two. "How
kind it was in you, to be taken in this costume
The very thing could have wished! and could
not have asked" he added mentally.
Il hoped So" answered she; g consented
! TO it, as some little recompense to Edward, a
pleasure to YOU, and a penance to myself.
She added something that Clara did not hear
but she supposed that--,in spite of Constance
previous resolutions, that her sorrow for the
past should not sadden her lovers enjoyment
of the present-some irrepressible expression
of self.reproach for the mistaken sacrihce or
her part, which had been the unintentiona
cause of his sufferings, must have burst IRON
her; for Herman stopped her, by bending
ou;ckly over her hand, and kissing it, and say
ing low, in his most soothing, most hear,fel
tones, Settle that with God, sweet soul!
can find nothing but blessings to lay to you
charge"
Edward gave him his arm, and led him u
his chamber: and there the same affection
which had welcomed him below had been be
fore him. This apartment, too, was bright ant
warm, and seemed to say, "Walk in Flow
, ers we're on the dressng-table, and flowers Oh
the carpet and window curtains-the only new
, things there, except handsome dressing'gowl
on the chair by the hearth. Everything els
was familiar, and in its familiar trim and place
The beautiful wood fire glittered and Hickered
as of old, on the bas-reliefs, carvings, and sig
nificant andirons, and on the worn gliding Q
the ancient tablets, cleaning from the wal
with the Creed and the Ten Commandments
and account him happy, who, returning
his early 6resde and affairs, after an absenc
D of wears. in the flush of his manhood, how
ever worn in spirit and broken in body, ca
look upon such solemn symbols of Faith an
y Law, and remember that he has neither broke
. the one nor made shipwreck of the other.
E Herman sank down on the side of his be
!. with deep sigh.
: "Therei you're ready to acknowledge nov
> perhaps, that you feel the least in the wori
queerish?"
: ayes; like a hummingbir drowning
honey. Pull off my stockings, and put on m
J MICHIGAN. l never mean to do anything II
myself any more-its folly and when 20
!. have put me to bed, you can send Clar. Arde
- mn here. to read me to sleep. Oh Ned, Ned,