New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1860-05-07


n the world long since ceased to remember Mr.
and Mrs. Valentine vere.''
SCENES FROM EARLY LEE.
Il My mother being BY no meansfond Of the needle,
J reared without any knowledge .of sewing save
fancy embroidery. was, OF necessity, compelled
to have seamstress in the family continually for
there being something like dozen Of us to make
and mend for, of course we furnished steady EN-
ployment for at least one pair Of hands. Moving.
as we frequently did from slave State to free, va
rious, Of course, were the females employed by
her, though somtimes the same one would remain
with u.s. sharing our rowing fortunes for several
years, until inconsistencies or matrimony would
tear her away, leaving us to seek another to all
her place.
The advent of a new seamstress was quite an ex
citement for children, especially for myself and
sister next younger, we being the only girls old
enough to take lessons from her in the mysteries Of
running, stitching, backstitching, fell and over
seam. Specuations as to whether she would be
young, pretty and patient, or DID, cross and crab
bed, would keep our tongues ehattering for days
| previous to her arrival. What variety of per-
sons, tempers and manners rise before me- as
lean back in my chair, and, closing my eyes, call
i uPSn 0uCuoty ubcalcub SpTittf NlhFSlhi tHtiu
before me Fair, dark and mixed, young. old and
midding, patient. quiet, odd, cross and fidgetty-
what mingling maze they make
But Of All the funniest oldest queerest and ret
withall good tempered, too, was Jane Walker, who
lived nearly three years with us, just as was COM
ing out they call it, full of all sorts of old maid
notions and quips-yet a favorite throughout the
house, from my stern browed father to the blue
xy,d Hail., ,,.o
smile. She had some queer ideas about gentle.
men, and would often favor me with her opinion
upon the merits of my different beaux, and many
hearty laugh has she caused me with her notions.
But oh, when Miss Jane caught beau wasn't
there sport around the house. She had met and
been introduced to sea- captain, Northerner,
with all his sea manners grated upon, added to
his Yankee notions, and, though good honest
hearted man, was as rough as Polar bear. Never
shall forget James grimaces when congratulated
her upon her conquest, for in sooth he was in good
earnest calling upon my mother and stating that
as he had learned that Miss Walker was an orphan
and domesticated in her family he desired her CON
sent to address the fair object of his affections Of
course mother could but wish him success, as he
produced strong testimonials Of his position and |
ability to take charge of wife. But all that she
to him with Jane. He was teo rough to meet her |
idea Of q gentleman, and none but d gentleman
would answer, 50 she gave him his congee, albeit
he was her first offer, i am certain.
Shortly afterwards we left the city, with the in
tention of remaining some time, and Jane sought |
another home until our return In the meantime
my sister married, and upon our return to the city
went to house keeping, and I.remained with her.
41nn hriphf
nursery dressing baby, who should the house maid
ser IN but Miss Jane; afte her raptures the
blue-eSed little one had some what subsidized, we
were chatting over various mats.a'r RS, when the
servant informed my sister that the ar. Gerry man,
With big monthly bill was below, went a. avn to
attend to it, and upon entering the lower hall
met by dancing masters bow and slide and how
again from a gentlemanly looking man. That
can't be the young man, thought /. When turning
to the door saw his phlegmatic face and sturdy
figure awaiting my attention. Settling the bill, /
again turned to my bowling gentleman, wondering
where he had sprung from. When addressing me
by name with bend to the floor, he informed
me that he had called with Miss Walker. Re.
Iuesting him to be seated, I soon found that
he was about as complete a fop and as near
! simplet0n as we ever see men. With ten
thousand native airs and foreign gracesn he
talked more nonsense in an hour, and betrayed
more native folly, than ever heard from any one
person in a week. But in him Jane had found her i
dea of refined gentleman realized as they were
% be married shortly; this being her reason for
falling upon US that morning. Mother being out Of
own, Jane desired, through us, to let her know Of
he marriage in contemplation. Poor silly woman.
hought |, you only demonstrate the old saving. :
hat we sometimes cast aside pearl because It's
hidden in rough shell. while we eagerly pluck a
poisonous weed, attracted by its tiaring colors.
They married; and Jane found too soon that
handsome is as handsome does. Her gentleman.
With his bows and graces, thought nothing, after
cry short honeymoon, of keeping his refined man
leTs for any place but home, while abuse of hand
md tongue was meted ont with Iiberality to her y
lad she taken the old Captain, with his rough, ur
'outh manner, but honest heart, to-day she would
10 doubt have been happy wife and mother, In | i
tead Of what she is,3a drunkard's aife; but she,
ike TOO many o. vs. 10 Ire, judged more by extrin.
ie show than intrinsic worth and she has paid the
,enalty in years of sorrow and suffering ,
I'll warrant that she has often regretted her old /
Captain when reviewing her past life, and thought
low different would she act could she but recall it,
{ain wish! HOW many Of us, could we recall the .
past would change the ideas that have guided us ?
Rash and hasty we have been; how cool and pru. ]
lent we would strive to be. And yet how few of !
Is proht by experience, and let the stern dame
each us lesson to guide our future We haste ,
Along with no thought Of the morrow, and MANY
of US with small remorse for the past until it is too
ate. !
But did not start to write homily, so will bid
you goodbye for the present, hoping the boauet