Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1859-05-14
VOLUME I.---No. 3.

had been married to another for SO many
years, and Mrs. Murphy having been married
also, and as they both resided in the same
neighborhood, he had been so accustomed
to see her with her husband, that he had
almost come to think she had never been any
thing but Mrs. Murphy. Had he been ques.
toned on the subject, he would have saiu tiia'
he believed Mrs. Murphy retained no reeolec-
tion whatever of the period OF Their early mr.
tations for neighbors and acquaintances, as
they had long been, she never was in the
habit of making the slightest reference to the
past. That past was in his estimation now
like some state of prior existence, none OF the
influences of which could, by any possibility,
affect his present condition. Little did he
think, as he bid d cheerful good-day to Mrs.
Murphy, and glanced carelessly on her, see
ing her usual homely, housewife contour OF
face and figure, that in her soul she was the
young, girl of her early days, deep-passioned,
and agonized with the bitterest of all earthly
disappointments, and that she saw i'll him,
not the man advanced in years, from whom
the sentiment of young romance mad long
since departed, but the Henry Allen-young,
handsome, intellectual-who had called INTO
existence the one deep love of her glrPs
heart
He might have seen the momentary glaring
W
gray eyes, but he never dreamed of her enter
tanning such feelings towards him.
The schoomaster was come to have some
conversation regarding matters connected with
the approaching marriage OF his daughter
Agnes to Robert Murphy the marriage was
to take place on the ensuing day.
Mrs. Murphy received the schoolmaster in
the kitchen, and invited him to be seated
there as usual it was her own and her hus-
bands common sitting apartment. Mrs. Muir
PHYS early education had been slight degree
better than what is usually bestowed on the
daughters of farmers of an unpretending class
in Ireland but when she married John Muir
ply, who was a farmer Of an unpolished order
She gave up many of the little pretensions 70
taste in which she had indulged in her youth
and with hardy stoicism fulfilled the duties
of lot, in which there were none of the re-
iinements nor the adornments of life.
The schoolmaster seated himself beside the
master OF the house-John Murphy, master
of the house he was called, but the name only
appertained to him. He was an old, very
old man he had been past middle age when
he married he had been an invalid, and con-
fined to the house for years. Mrs. Murphy
had managed the farm, and still continued to
manage it, though, ostensibly, the business
was conducted by the son, Robert. John
Murphy was reclining in an old, broken, un-
polished armchair; his thin, skinny face
was one mass of deep furrows, and miserable
discomfort was in every glance his hollow
eyes, and in every tone of his cracked voice.
g say, Betty what are you doing9--why
don't YOU bring the rags here to dress my
leg?" he said, looking sourly at his wife,
after having exchanged few words with the
sohoolmaster.
g Be quiet, and have some patience, Will
you 2' answered Mrs. Murphy, bestowing
glance of such bitterness on her shrivelled
husband, that the schoolmaster could not
help trembling for the happiness of his daugh-
ter, who was soon to take up her residence in
the house with woman who displayed such
palpable ill-temper.
HAy, be quiet-be quiet; it's easy for
them to be quiet that's not suiierin' that's
not suiferin' the long years that Iye been
here, and not able to go out and see the fields
that I've so often ploughed and sowed, and
the blessed corn that God sends us. Is the
corn gettin' strong now, Robert? ldon't see
the field out of that window since the leaves
come on the trees--if it was Gods will that
I'd only get out as used to do;" the old
mans voice softed into sad resignation as
he said the last words.
The schoolmaster spoke sOothingly to the
sick old man, and strove to encourage him by
hopeful words telling him what a good nurse
his future daughter Agnes was how atten-
tive she was in her own family when sickness
came and how he and the young brothers of
Agnes would miss ner. me Ola man iisteheu,
and seemed pleased.
"Ay-weii-maype sie Will nave tne ki,u
hand about me- the creature i've .housli.
hoarse with calling somebody, if it was only
m gpt me n drink of water that if had a
daughter she wouldn't be cross with the
poor old, sick father.
AS he spoke, cleaning OF nope came
beautifully over the miserable wrinkles Oh ms
face, and smiles played around the corners OF
his withered lips.
"Well, il she does be the Kind darlin
hear you say, it'll be good OF providence TO
send her here TO take care OF the oiu Iiail'
Robert there attends me kindly enough some
times; but daughter-ay, daughter, II
stands to reason, should know best how to
take care OF SICK old man ne glanced az
his son as he spoke, as It wishing 10 near ms
sentiments concerning the coming dauShter-
in-law.
Agnes will be Kind, very Kna 10 you,
has kind heart, Robert
Murphy said. He was young man OF pleas
ing appearance, with an air OF something
above his condition his hgure was rather
under the middle size, but well-formed; his
face was handsome, though little eifeminate
and unexpressive; in ar OF extreme self
was visible IN ms SOFT blue eyes
his whole countenance showed that he had
never in his existence either thought or felt
deeply. At times he exhibited indications OF
stronger passions; but his course OF lie had
been smooth and monotonous, and II any
powerful energies We're within him, they still
slumbering in the depths Of his