Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1860-02-11


another would be contrary to the habits an
I. modes ofproceeding which we have been train
ed to observe, and would therefore be felt b
the invalid as an intentional cruelty. But
Is not so with them; they are given to plai
speaking, and accustomed TO get and to tax
hard blows from each other; you did no
think yourself that Susan seemed to feel he
sister was unkindF
NO; can't say that did and that pro
vokcd me again-I thought she should hay
felt it,"
Mr. Morgan smiled, and warned his daugh
ter not to go to the cottage any more, or shi
would certainly set the sisters quarrclling il
good earnest whilst trying to teach them higl
notions Of benevolence and fine feeling.
" But cannot let you Off" .c continued
"about Maria. What have been her fltieues
and privations? Perhaps she has sometimes
been sitting in Eliz's room, when she would
have preferred a walk, whilst the day was fine
but am quite at a loss what greater incon-
venience to surmisc for her. Can you hclp me
to think of any?"
Isabella was silent.
Even if dear Eliza had been seriously i'll.
and had required her constant care. the trial
would have fallen very far short of Sally Mills
There would have been nurses to assist, SER
wants to wait on the children, medical advice
at all hours, and no thought of economy in
anything, But, MS it is, what has Maria's visit
been but one of uninterrupted pleasnre-as |
hoped it would be when she went? She has
had leisure for reading drawing, and music ;
and, when away from Eliza, most agreeable
companion in your brother-in-law, who al
ways spoils you both. She is the sister, and
the guest, and so made more OF than she can
be at home. Besides, Mr. Dawson's establish
ment commands Injuries and elegancies which
we cannot afford and there is something in
all that
ooh, papa, papam cried Isabella, almost in
tears, "you don't think we care more about
Eliza because she is richer2 1t is not for their
horses, and carriages, and greenhouse, that
we like to 60 therei We should love them
just as much il they were a great deal poorer
than ourselves Indeed, papa, you don't think
very well your own daughters n
"Ny DEAR said her father, "you mistake
me. think have three very good girls, and
am tuly thankful for the blessing. II is you
who do not keep close to your own subject
we are comparing the two sisters, on your
suggestion; tell you | should never have
thought fit-but since you bring them before
mn for la, I 4 q.
unjust to condemn Sally because she does not
act and speak like Maria. If your sister were
to stay Mt Codwcll on the same terms for
twchemonth, what would she have done that
would equal Sallys cxertions in her sisters
cottage for one fortnight 2"
Isabella had no reply ready for this search
ing question. She felt driven from the high
ground whence she had been so anxious grace
fully to descend. and the sensation was differ
ent. She was not sorry, though, to have the
feelings of her poorer friends thus vndicated,
and placed more on an equality with her own
and she was most vexed with herself for hay-
ing thought whole morning on the subject
without having struck out what appeared now
swered evasiyely, and in rather mournful
tone:-
"Then | suppose, papa, you think, that, if
ever we were really tried with great fatigue,
and anxiety, and poverty, as | know ladies
sometimes come to be- we should lose our tenn
pers, and get as snappish and impatient as Sal
ly Mills |"
"No," said her father; az should still hope
better things of you. lou are very young my
dear; but see no reason to suppose that your
character will be inferior to your sisters; and
of them can say that their duties have not
invariably been pleasant ones, for have known
their patience and temper tried at different
times fully as much as is common at their age,
and in their station of life; and have had the
happiness of seeing that, on the whole, they
stood the trials well.
"I believe that those who show con-
scientous regard to their duties in smaller
matters, whatever they may be--for they can
not always be pleasant-will not be found want
ing if the time of strong temptation or trouble
should arrive. | have generally seen this to
be the case and most painful would it be to
me to imagine my own daughters would prove
an exception. But wish to impress on you
that we cannot be sure of ourselves; we can
not even be sure Of those we love best, under
circumstances of trial which have never yet
been experienced. How Maria would act, if
she and Eliza were suddenly reduced to a state
at all resembling Susan Parker and her sister,
we cannot therefore tell and hope we shall
never know. But those who have been DIFF
ferently brought up from their birth have, by
nature would say, if it were not contra
diction, but have at least acquired from second
nature, a courteousness of manner aud self
restraint quite unknown to the lower ranks
Part ofwhat displeased you in these two women
was, grant, human selfshness undisguiscd by
civilty; but the greater part was only blunt
ness of speech, neither intended nor taken as
offence.
" Has my explanation satisfied you, my dear
Isabella, that we are not on all points so much
better than our poorer fellow creatures ?"
Isabella declared that it had and So re-
lieyed from the feeling of great moral superb
ority, which had been distressing her for some
hours she cheerhlly began making tea, and
the discourse wandered, MS usual, into differ
ent channels.
Some years ago Mr.. Kidwcl was preaching
| 90 a laroro aud;au,o in a wild ,ort IS I1I;no;s