The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1863-11-20

what tinctured with the maternal inclina
tion to jealousy. Miss Letitia had com
panion, or rather playfellow, whom nopG5d',
that frequented the house could mis-.
knowing; she was so constantly with the
young lady and in the family rooms. Hei
name was Letitia too; but they called hei
Lefty, by way of proper distinction, foi
the blood Of Africa was in her veins, and
she was the daughter of a slave. Letty's
mother, unlike the rest of Mr.. Fosbrook $
neoroes, was not native of his estate, but
had been purchased together with her un.
born child, at the sale of deceased West
Indians establishment; she had been
parted from her husbend, it was said
through Mrs. Fosbrook S determination to
have the woman but not the man in her
household. She was not complete Afri-
can, but something whittier than mulat-
to-I think it was Spanish trace she
had-and they called her Elva, probably
an abbreviation of Elvira. A thin, wiry,
early-withered woman she looked; but
there was piercing intelligence in her
keen, black eyes, not common to the negro
race she was more grave and silent, too,
than is their wont, was thought to have a
deal of discretion, and known to be great
in needle-work. Her European origin ac-
counted to most people for this superiority,
and it also helped to account for the sur
prising beauty of her daughter Lefty
was positively fair, with fnely-cut features,
long glossy hair and figure so finely
moulded, yet so slender, that she might
have stood for the youngest of the graces.
To stranger it was astonishing that the
girl could have come of African blood, but
one gets accustomed to any Wonder
Everybody knew her to be Elvas daugh-
ter, born on the same day as Miss Letitia,
and allowed to grow up as her playfellow
and foster-sister, for Elva was made nurse
to the infant heiress, having either by her
wisdom or good-luck acquired the particu-
lar confidence and cold-blooded liking of
Mrs. Fosbrook, and continued to be her
right-hand woman and family seamstress
till the time of my story.
The quantity of fine needle-work she did
for Mrs. Fosbrook was something to be
astonished at. The good lady took sort
Of pride in showing off the collars, sleeves
and trimmings worked by the ''woman she
had bought almost in spite of Mr. Fos-
brook, and saved him the trouble he should
have had with that seli-willed, obstinate
looking man, Elva's husband. The poor
creature was so much better without him.
Did not all her friends see how contented-
ly she sat in her own little room, on the
back yerandah, working away from morn
ing until night ? That woman was trea-
sure" Elva's daughter was not in such
favor with the "missis," though gentler
more sweet tempered girl could not have
been found among black or white. In
deed, there was something both soft and
sad in Letty's look and manner, which
made one believe in omens when her after
fate was come. 1t was perhaps the gen.
tleness and sweetness of her disposition, as
well as their early playtimes, which made
the young heiress cling SO fondly to her
humble companion, and take such delight
in her society, even when grown-up life,
with its duties and distinctions, came on.
They had never been separate, except
when her mother anted Lefty and Miss
Letitia had to go to lessons, to which the
young lady was not PARTIAL and when, at
last, the bringing-out time came, and she
was expected to be admired and married
in due time, Miss Letitia still protested
that Lefty and she should never part, but
live together as mistress and maid, "just
like mamma and Elva."
The young lady was in that mind when
her fifteenth birthday arrived. Cards of
invitation had been issued three weeks be-
fore to the half of Charleston l had the
honor of receiving one, and can vouch that
it was large and well-dressed gathering;
but the principal guest of the evening was
Col. Fosbrook. Though never on bad
terms with the proprietor, he had been
seldom at the hail. Some said its lady
was not to his mind, some that his mill
tary duties took him to different quarters.
At all events, he was known by reputation
rather than by sight to Mr.. Fosbro6 z
friends; but all who saw him that even
ing acknowledged that more distinguish
ed looking or agreeable man never enter
ed Carolina ballroom Mr.. Fosbrook
had made point of having him on the
birthday. His excellent lady and he were
too prudent to say it in so many words,
but l, as their family lawyer, guessed that
they had set their hearts on match be-
tween the colonel and the heiress. Though
at least twenty years her senior, he was
only in the prime life, man whom any
lady might choose with credit to her taste.
Moreover, the colonel had high principles,
sound sense, and prudence, was Fosbrook
of the same descent, the heir-at-law after
Miss Letitia and most suitable to perpet-
uate the name and line,
He was expected to stay for some weeks,
but could not arrive before the evening of
the birthday. l remember being intro
duced to him in the crowded ballroom,
and observing that, though attentive to
all the ladies, as became southern gen
tleman, he showed particular regard for
the daughter of the house, and the belle
of the evening. l forget how long her
mother and female friends had been oc-
cupied with what she should wear. The
! young lady's complexion puzzled them
At last they fixed upon umber satin, with
gold ornaments, in which, l must say,
Miss Letitia looked we'll. They had at
the same time agreed because nothing
else would serve the heiress-on dressing
Lefty handsomely, but in white, which no