The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1860-09-12
The Poor Niece.

IL
She was embrodering beautiful cashmere cloak
an infants cloak of most elaborate device. Her chintz
dress coarse and dark very cean and she had on
white apron and white linen sleeves to protect the
embroidery from contact with anything coored There
was half cheerful smile on her face. Isay half cheer
full because the other half Of the smile might have been
thought bitter sarcastic. Evidently she was not
quite at ease, and the scanty appointments of her
apartment would to intimate that poverty might
have tried her somewhat too severely An open letter.
apparently Just received was lying on the windowsil
bore the pos-mark of Boston, and dated the day
previous She took it up and read it again. Her voice
in reading bitter as her SMILE 1t was invita-
ton couched in very cordial terms, from sister of
her departed mother to spend few weeks with her,
and more than half ntimauon that, as the time
one Of busy preparation for winter clothes she would
be expected assist in making them, equivalent
for the great courtesy extended to her.
Margaret Ashey's mother the sister Of rich
widow in Boston. who had never noticed her sister
since her marriage. The one had been the wife of
poor clergyman, who had died almost in his pulpit,
with toiling for scanty livngthe other had
married rich man, who had long ago forgotten the
mean and sordid way in which his wealth had been ac-
cumulated Under her fathers tuition, Margaret had
become fine scholar. He had intended her for
teacher but the long Illness of both her parents had so
exhausted her strength that she unable to attempt
it. if she had had opportunity to do so; and so
really fine talents and her strong intellectual character
III
work
One only resource she availed herself of. This was
an old but finely toned piano; which her father had
bought for almost nothing at sale of household goods
When Margaret was quite young she had taken lessons
nmusic and a quick ear and aptitude at learning had
supplied the placed of careful practice W hen she
had sold from her furniture all that could be spared
during the heavy time of sickness, would make
even an offer for the odashioned instrument and SO it
remained almost the only thing Of any value in her ROOM
But when the day ended for work instead OF sitting
down to brood over her troubles she had played through
the twilight hours, until she had really acquired fine
Itouch-and her voice, always sweet and pleasant had
attained a frmness and volume which in city might
have insured her compensation. But who would seek
out the poor and riendess girl? and what could she do
in small country town that woald be at all remurnera
tive save to sew from till night at almost starving
prices? she had often heard Of her aunt Morrison and
her great wealth. but she had seen her And as
she looked around the poor room and upon her thin,
wasted hands she resolved to 20, Perhaps something
might happen to turn up which would make this
eternal toll unneceary, al least better paid. She
would try.
She wrote to accept the aunts invitation; but was
cold brief note surprising ia GOODNESS and breytv
the invitation itself; and She appointed the following
week for her visit without naming any pOrcuar day
On The succeeding Thursday after finishing the little
cloak and receiving the hardly wruug pttance fol
which She had wrought it with such elegance of desigr
plain gray wooden dress checked shawl, straw bonne
and cotton goves-a perfectly neat and whole, anC
harmousng in the soft, neutral tint Of each garment
she set out to make her first visit to the great city
The ride was q cold one The wind blew clouds o
dust int the stagecoach by which she travelled anC
her hair and complexion soon showed it effects. Sh
arrived lust before dark that wnty afternoon stun
ned with the noise OF the Streets and glad when tn
driver turned his horses into the quiet region
Mount Vernon street. and in shorter one where ros
the imposing mansion of Mrs. Morrison.
Unfortunately for the iady's PRIDE she had that da
received company for dinner Many of the guest
came in carriages that >ked up the way and only b
sEifl manvering could the country stage be brough
M 10 the door The windows were lined with faces
but 70 tuuately Margaret did not see them. She wa
occupied in gathering up her box and earpet-bag, an
finding her purse to pay the driver, 1t well th9
she did not see them or the ng smiles that gatl
cred On many OF the faces, woald have sent pang
her heart and driven her back into the stage coach
} have cold ride home.
} There was a contrast between her dusty gray ga
ments thicl, boots and umbrella and the splenid sil
dress rich laces and jewels, the dainty rigoette an
superb cashmere shawl thrown careesy upon the pre-
tv little figure that was just being taken out of ca
RACE and delcatey carried into the house. withor
touching the French kid slipper to the ground. Tn
driver took off the shabby little trunk, that looked
much shabber for all these gauds about it. and ebowe
his way through the crowd of coachmen IN white kl
gloves he carried it up the steps and set it exaetl
in the middle of the hall.
No welcome awaited poor MARGARET but Mrs Morr
SON who stood horriied at the window dimy suspecte
who was her visitor Whispered to- servant to take he
and her trunk away as speedily as possible. up-up-
more flights than Margaret travelled at home, and int
A little dark looking bedroom, the man escorted he
not stopping an instant to see if she wanted anything
There was low bed a chair and table that answere
two purposes for it held the cracked bowl and eve
that was as guiltess of water as the drawer was
towels She could not even part with the dust Sh
was tired and had eaten nothing since morning fheT
was no lamp in the room, and daylight was fast dsal
pearing She sat down and shivaring with the coit
and wished herself back at the piano. She heard h
catte of dishes and anced they were at supper beoP
= She did not dream that the meal could be dinner
ssWhy need care?" she asked herself. They ser
for me as they sent for Others Why should not {
to their table then? surely they don't expect me to ny
without food while am here. Take cOurgae Margare
Mrs. Morrison is only your aunt, after all.
r And she shook out the dust and wrinkles from h
dress as well as she could and descended the stan
where the blaze of light almost blinded her On 81
went without impediment, for company and serVan
q were now in the great dinng-room. Thlther she TO
lowed the sound of voices and entered just as the sou
was being served At the head of the table was woma
whom she supposed must be her aunt or she would nj
he in that pace-although she marveed that the larg
naughty looking person. with such red face and such
proision of flowers in her head-dress could be slst
to her pale, gente-looking mother. No one notice
Margaret, the company probably supposing her
servant and Mrs Morrison and her daughter evident
not designing to recognise her. The thought rou'
up her independent feelings and she walked strait
to the hostess whose red face grew redder at her a
proaeh.
II have come aunt Morrison" said Margaret, We
quietly, yet loud enough for all to hear Presun
: YOU got my letter accepting your invitation2'
e There W Is a seat occupied by gentleman next
;. Mrs Morrison, and close to that an empty or
The gentleman who had heard her words distinct
half rose and putting out his hand led her to the vaea
seat glance at IN opposite mirror showed her tn
she was pale and tred-lookng, and she half regrett
that she had come down. Her neighborwas 50 exqi
i tv dressed that she felt there must be terrible CO
trast TO him in her own appearance.
{ Margaret was hungry, and the gentleman loaded h
= plate unmindfu of Mrs Morrison's severe looks.
vet She had not answered her niece, nor look
at her The whole party seemed to feel that somethi
was wrong. and there was little said except betwe
IS Margaret and her agreeable neghbor He had been
her native town and had known her father II
brought her acquainted with him at once, and forg
ting that she was intrutling on company grand a
Imposing she talked on and we'll showing by her chos
words and correct pronunciation that she refr
in speech as any there. But she took occasion at
! first opportunity 20 make her exit, and taking la
from the hall table she again mounted the stairs.
u u This time she succeeded in finding some water VIII
IL she carried to her room. With its assistance, and
holm also of anoth gray dress which was less tumbi