The new era., 1860-05-31
JK RAPIDS. MN, THURSDAY, MAY 81, 1860.
s rten.
A TRUE WIFE.

j, phan at that tender age when the com
= panionship of a loving mother is mos
needed. ,h :
I As the fatal close Of lingering lines
t was surely approaching, the subdue
and chastened parent, with a heart ful
of love for the delicate bud of her soul
looked around her to find "a place suita
BILE for it to dwell and blossom in.
: Mr.. Aspinwall had been dead man,
, years, leaving but a scanty competence
, for the support of his family. The in
, creased expenses incident to long sick
ness, had used up much of the princi
: pal, and Mrs. Aspinwall felt that she
/ must leave her only daughter dependen
upon the bounty of friends.
She had but few relations in the world
aud only one who was very near. Thi:
} person was Mrs Sumner, her husband I
sister, who although quite an amable
woman, was far from possessing those
traits Of character which the pious, de-
voted mother desired should ever sur
round her child But after careful con-
sideraion, she concluded it best to con-
fde her flower to this garden, trusting
that its innate qualities and sweetness
would not be ruined by neglect; but
rather that its softness would reflect
upon and beautily all that it surrounded.
She therefore sent for her sister-ln-law
to come and attend her dying couch,
and in few short weeks she had ceas-
ad to be of earth, and the lrail tenement
returned to the dust from whence it
sprung. The weeping Myra then left
her home in the quiet village of Staun
ton, for residence with her stylish
aunt in the grand capitol of the Union.
1t was hard ordeal for the young
heart to pass through, in leaving in her
youthful associates, her vine-clad cot
tage and fields of wild flowers; but the
most severe of all trials was in going far
away from that spot where the halIowed
remains Of her spirit mother rested
On the grave in the little churchyard
she vowed to ever cherish with holy
zeal the lifelong precepts and dying ad-
vice Of her who had gone before.
Mrs Sumner lived it style BETTING
the wife of Judge Sumner, who held the
high position of member of the chief
council of our nation; and it was in this
household that Myra Aspinwall received
the advantages of daughter.
This lady felt the Importance of a
sound education, and as her young
charge was but fifteen, she kindly en-
ployed the best instructors to improve
her already fue intellect, and the Gag
er pupil determined that no lack of en-
ergy on her part should prevent her
from being thoroughly accomplished.
In two years from this time she was
introduced into society; although no
beauty, as the accomplished niece of
Secretary Sumner, she was soon sur
rounded by admirers. | said she was
no beauty, and in truth her features
were decidedly irregular, but there was
a cleaning Of superior intellect in her
eyes, and a screneness upon her brow,
that told of pure nature, which, if it
did not attract instantly, won upon more
intimate acquaintance, the highest es-
TEEN.
Her uncle was pompous old gentle
man Of the Virginia school, and loved
to display his hospitality, and therefore
encouraged the frequent visits of numer-
friends, SO that his mansion was ever
he seat of'life and sociability. He was
fine, robust looking person, and he
admired the society of the young and
gay. His wife, who was still very
handsome, of late seemed disposed to |
o be rather hypochondriacal, and spent
much of her time in her own room
Consequently, as they had no daughter,
Nyra was called upon to exert herself ,
he more in entertaining guests and
ieeping unsullied the social honors of :
he house. Yet amid all the splendor .
md dazzling efforts of fashion, BY which !,
The was enconpassed, she still retained
hat simplicity of soul which was hers d.
when she lay weeping upon her mothers +
crave.
Among her suffers was a young law
,er, son of the Speaker of the House of :
representatives. For long time he :
lad been striving to gain her affe fections. :
md his cultivated mind and upright >
principles did not fail to impress her in
lis favor. Indeed, her heart yearned 4,
ts~' '''sAA htoiS oiu tnOTG tTOI1 the OaV 4
m which she learned that he preferred \
Ter above all others. But she had one b
,reat fear that she was not loved for b
erself entirely. She was afraid that the ,
efections of her uncle's high station. :
nd perhaps faint expectation that she
you'd inherit portion of his estate
ad partly influenced the young man in
hoosing for his wife, She was a no. q
lie girl. for although each day her low e
r pressed her to name the time when !,
II his hopes should be consumnated. :
nd she felt her soul expand with COM
lete reciprocation, she wonld not list :,
n 10 him until she was sure that moth !.
ng was anticipated but the lifelong
'ossession other own heart She did h
g - f9olo'o II - 5s1iqzs baa .aiai