Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-07-07
PRIDE AND PRINCIPLE.

elgnl yeSrs-feturnlng to the home of my
childhood The numbering coach that bore me
rapidly along, was already entering the village
where L was born-where had the first inn
portant principles of education-wbere had
sPOrted many childhood 81 happy hour-wbere
i had first learned to love-
les, to love the prettiest, merriest, and
Proudest maiden in all the village; mot wisely,
but too we'll" She rejected my suit-she had
higher aspirations. 1t was true she liked me
very well-it might be, loved me. was not
rich, and she was proud and hauphtv as we'll
as beautiful. Yet she was, indeed. kind and
charitable; she did not reject my offer disdain-
fully, but seemed 10 study some method by
pain.
L did not question her motives. knew them
too well, and then and there resolved that. if
health should be spared me, would at once
depart from my native village. and some day
return a wealthy man-not again to urge nv
sult, not even to claim her as friend or ac-
qualntance, unless it should be her express
desire, for too had proud spirit and could
never eOndescend to plead with a woman.
All these thoughts passed rapidly through
my mind, as neared my fathers cottage; and
reJ4ieed to think chat, in part my purpose
% hau oeen accom- r,iished. was rich-rich even
beyond the fAstidious requfsitions of Isabel
Hayne, rlc Ler than her father had ever been
ana my stern resolve had seen no change
act my father, now silver haired with age
Ldy mother had been lying in her narrow silent
home for nearly two years. My sister-my
only sister-whom / fondly hoped to meet
was married, and had gone to distant place
to dwell. The spirit of change had breathed
upon every dear and familiar object The
house, the fences were mouldering away |
met the companions of my youth, who well
coined me back with smiles, which seemed dis
torted mockery of the smiles that lit up their
happy faces in my bOyhood's days They
were growing old. Yet some seemed appa-
Tently no older than when had seen them
eight years before.
did not meet Miss Hayne, nor did even
inquire about her. She had probably gone
away, or what was quite as probable, her father
might have become so wealthy that she no Ion
ger moved in the village society. Perhaps she
was married, and was living in some other
place What was she to me that / should spend
thought In specializing as to the cause of her
invisibility? And yet could not efface her
imsge from my mind. If ever, in distant lands
L had succeeded in my efforts to Danish her
from memory, / could not do so now The as
sOeiations Of home and familiar scenes brought
back the recollection of happy days-snd her
name, her form, just as she appeared to me
tbeR, was indispensably necessary to complete
the picture which fancy painted me.
There was social gathering at friends,
but she was not there. Why should look so
anxiOusly about, hoping and yet fearing to en-
counter her beautiful face? Why could not
forget per al once ana forever
Some one mentioned her name "Why was
she not there?''
She does not go out now, since their mis-
fortune"
What pity! Poor Hayne, They say that
she supports him by teaching a female school a"
Yes. she ia engaged in the district just be-
yOnd the village. 1t will be a very severe and
humiliating lesson to her; she was very proud "
l must confess was interested, and desired
to know more, much more, but / asked no
questions. could not forget the past.
Net long after this learned that the Hayne
estate, which had passed into the hands of
some eastern spectators again fer sale.
1 purchased il, having no definite purpose in
view, unless il was the thought that it would
make a comfortable residence for my father in
his declining years, since his own cottage was
fast going to decay. / at once set about re-
pairing the large mansion on the Hayne farm,
for that too had felt the mouldering touch OF
time, and, for that purpose, 1 frequently
drove out to watch and direct the operations
of the lsborers.
was one day driving leisurely along, when
L espied at some distance before me an old
man, bent with age, cropping bis tedious way
along the road. Presently he sat down by the
roadside to rest, and when came up offered
him a seat in my buggy.
Never mind, said he, "it IS only a little
way that have to go, just to yonder hilltop
1 go there sometimes, when the days are pleas
pany her home from school. She is teaching,
you know"
l disregarded his refusal of my offer, and
sprang out Of the carriage, extending him my
hand tGassist him to a seat as though it was a
matter Of course that he would ride.
Well, well, since you wish it, L will go
with you. There are not many that are kind
TO the old man now. / am not what / was
years ago. l was a rich man then-very rich
but speculation did the mischief. See yOnder
house just beyond the school it was mine
All il was happy home; but it can never
be mine again.
And thus he babbled on, for the inirmities
Of age, prematurely induced by misfortunes
had rendered him gsrrulous. He was indeed
changed-for among all l had seen since my
return home, not one had grown as old as he.
He did not recognise me; and as 1 drove
slowly along, very slowly-for he said many
things that were interesting to mel learned
more Of the sacrifices, concessions, efforts, and
hlial affection OF his daughter Isabel-the
name affected me, and 1 will confess it, more
than had previously ascertained.
l had often passed the school house, as it
was directly in my way to the farm, but had
never caught sight of the fair teacher As we
now approached, observed the scholars rush.
ing from the door Of the school room, and be-
fore We drove up, she herself emerged and
stood before US.
All, Isabel, this kind gentleman urged me
TO ride in his carriage, and want you to thank
him in my behalf, because you don't know
how II has rested me-"
IL bad renamed unrecognised by the ia
ther, could not escape the penetrating glance
OF the daughter. Her quickly changing color
indicated at once that she knew, or at least
suspected who 1 was. turned around nv
carriage, sprang out, and offered to assist her
in saying
Permit me, Miss Hayne-your father is
tatgued, and will drive you to your home
1 shall have ample time TO attend to my other
business sfterward -
she stammered some excuse insisted upon
her riding, and had the satisfaction of seeing
her yield
For moment L gave myself up to the happy
memories OF the past | was again beside the
only being had ever loved. felt the rustic
Of her dress against my hand, and notwitb-
standing my exterior eooness and assumed
formality, / could not suppress the tumuIt
within.
Isabel was little changed, but changed for
the better. The naughty belle had become the