The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-06-03

WllCll COul plCISu ueI nllSuGlll6dtOl. 1lCeii
ly, Emily, you are too absurd,' said Maria.
Il a schoolgirl frolic," said Horace, quiet
ly, locking down with grave superior eyes, as
upon a giddy child, and he walked past her to
speak to the boys l saw Emily's cheek flush
deeper, and her lip curl she glanced over
him from head to foot, and then ran from the
room. | glanced at him rather Indignantly );
he certainly did look tall and grim; the calm,
colorless features made more palld by con
trast with dark hair, sent chill through me
for they recalled that sad Christmas two
years ago, when he had stood at my aunt's
death-bed, SO grave and good that we had all
regarded him a superior being. He had
been her spiritual adviser, and my uncle's
counsellor and comforter; it was no wonder
that we looked upon him as a sort of oracle,
and that the frequent reference to his opinion
had annoyed Emily, who could not be ex-
pected to share our feelings. While l was re-
calling these memories, Horace, who had sha-
ken hands with all, was about to leave the
room, but cast first silent scrutiny over it
"T his is Emily's doings,'' said Maria apo O.
getieally "she is quite madcap and has
been under little restraint, even at school,
You must excuse a spoilt child, cousin.'
Certainly" replied Horace, a little stiffiy;
and saw he had not forgotten her unfortu-
nate speech; he took Maria down to tea and
we followed. Emily came in after us, look
ing as much at ease as usual, but a spell of
our old dullness seemed to have fallen upon
us. My uncle and Horace talked seriously
together, Maria joining in here and there with
questions about his new curaey in the north
of England. We listened silently Emilys
bright eyes glancing wonderingly round the
grave circle. "Something must be done,'
she whispered to me, after tea, and slipped
from the room, with'a private signal to Tom,
who was her devoted slave. Ny uncle and
Horace stood on the rug, conversing in solemn
whispers. Emily returned, and carried out
the lamp at the same moment that Tom bore
in, in state, flaming dish of snapdragons.-
1t was done so instantaneGusly, tnat my uncle
had only just opened his lips in angry remon-
STRANGE before Emily was beside him, coaxing
him into his easy chair, with her arm round
his neck, and her winning eyes persuading
/ opposition away. "Let US enjoy ourselves,
dear uncle. You are getting as gloomy and
glum AS if it were not Christmas Eve. Sit
here and look on; these are the proper rites
to inaugurate old Christmas n' My uncle
yielded and the boys, with burst of glee,
sprang round the magic flames Voice rose
above voice-hand jostled hand-the blue
sprites leaped from dainty fingers to red lips,
and amid the noise and laughter, Emily was
the very spirit of the fun. Maria stood back
from the gloup of "children p and GRACE,
leaning against the mantle-piece, looked on
in utter amazement, as at some riotous orgie.
But when my uncle stole from his seat and
| suddenly a large hand plunged in among the
small, daring fingers, and was hailed with a
| perfect "furor'' of delight, saw Horace rub
his eyes as if he were asleep and dreaming.
! But now the sport was over, and my uncle,
shaking his fingers, and looking little ashanl-
| ed, crept back 10 his chair, and rang the bell
| for "that nonsense'' to be cleared away
Emily, with bright cheeks and disordered hair,
came to the fire, and giving Horace triumph
ant look, sat down beside my uncle.
"You don't condescend to enjoy this merry
| time, Mr. Kirke," she said, bending her sau-
| cy face towards him.
/ "Not in your way, perhaps" he replied,
rather curtly.
My DEAR don'tsay Mr. Kirke." put in our
| is your cousin, recolect''
ooh! impossible. dear uncle. We are
nothing akin, be sure" and she laughed
while Horace WINGED little, perhaps beneath
the provoking eyes which would look at him.
Uncle Thorpe did not quite understand this
speech. Ny dear Emily" he began, grave
| ly, "your cousin. Horace Kirke, is one of my
most respected friends, a most estmable
young man,
'I have not the slightest doubt of it. my
dear uncle. A great deal too estimable fol
your giddy Emily" And she rose and made
him profound courtesy.
!" But why be so giddy, if you are conscious
it units you for the society of the estima-
BILE Pr asked Maria, sententious!y.
g l am afraid do not appreciate 'estimable
people," said Emily. !" love frolic too we'll
| | love sunshine'' ...-s.,.. -.
=" You would melt an iceberg,'' said Tom
warmly. We laughed, and Horace's look
said, She shall not melt me.''
" My creed is, " Be happy, then you will
be good,. said Emily. = %
Hocace shook his head. "You must re-
verse your creed," he said, coldly. DUTY
exists without happiness"
Gay, why ?'' asked Emily quickly. "Be
cause sullen and uugracious natures exile thu
blessing from their hearts Oh we may b,
happy if we will l hold it a crime agains
heaven not to be So"
'What do you know of life ?'' asked Ho
race, almost sternly. '' What do you know
of the struggles that crush happiness, of tn,
temptations that offer it, and that have to b.
resisted ?" He spoke with an energy tha
animated his face Emily looked startled.
"a Nay, know nothing,p she said, subdued
"But if there are such unhappy ones,
would do all could to- gladden. them, ant
make them stronger for the fight. There i
great strength in Joy" She said it half mu
singly, as if thinking about it. The fire ligh
flushed her sweet face, with that novel charm
of thoughtfulness softening its brightness.
looked at her, and loved her. Horace wa
looking at her too. "Joy is beautiful h
gan, but it is not strong in itself it needs
support-a principle.''
Eyes" put in Maria, +" the principle o
self-sacrfce, Duty requires, US to give u
our own pleasure for the benefit of others.
She had brought out her work, and re-lighte
the lamp, perhaps she thought she was he
own illustration. Emily recovered her usua
self at Maria's words "But how if our ow
: pleasure and others benefit, go together +?
she asked sauclly. "Come, confess; don
you actually now enjoy the satifaction of feel
ing yourself an estima6ze boy, and me a mer
butterfly ?'' She only gave Maria time t
look angry in reply, before she danced fror
the room. -s-
CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK.
Careful wife-Don't, Charles, go to Bosto
with that hole in the elbow of your shirt
Husband-Why not, my dear I? Careful viii