Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1863-06-18
From the N. Y. Ledger.
THE MgREST TRIFLE.
BIZ T. 8. ARTHUR.

getful of the parting kiss. The height
ened color Of Mrs. Orton's face gradu
ally toned down, until the usus
warmth was lost.
"I'm sorry to see this" said aun
Jane, speaking frankly. She was on
visit to her neice. Both look and yoic
were serious.
ITO see what. aunty" A flush @
surprise lit up the countenance of Mrs
Orion, that had been shadowed a mo
ment before.
"Little disagreement between yol
and your husbsnd-petty disputes.
fsult-6ndings-cavillings over unim
portant things"
"Why, suntyl" The color cam
back to Mrs Orton's face.
yesterday morning I noticed tina
Henry kissed you before he went away
That little tenderness was omltten thi:
morning. Why?"
The neice did not answer.
swords are things, my dear" re-
sumed Aunt Jane, "and if there is any
hardness in them they hurt. Love
does not try to hurt, unless in defenet
of It's object-no. not even in sport"
"Why, auntyl You are making
great deal out OF nothing" said Mrs
Orton, almost inclined to be offended
ave often talk to each other, but
don't mean anything. It's our way"
"I'm sorry that you have fallen into
so bad way, Helen. The error is q
serious one, and may lead to the I'M
happy consequences. You lost loves
tender sign this morning just because
of this way; and l think if you look
down into your consciousness, you will
find some unpleasant things there,
which, but for this way, could not have
existed. Henry made one or two
rather sharp accusations, at which
saw your cheeks redden and your eyes
fash"
"All fancy. aunt Jane"
mo. When be said that self-will
made you blind, either his accusation
or his manner touched the quick oi
your feelings; and the keenness with
which you snswered-'all men are
tyrants at heart, and have a name for
whatever opposes them; in my case it
is sell-will'-showed that you meant to
hurt him in return. And you did hurt
him. In consequence you lost kiss. I"
"That's a trifle," said Mrs. Orton,
Nth forced Indifference
"Your heart and tongue do not &C.
-cord in this declaration, Helen. No il
is not triHe-it is a serious thiDg--it
is the beginning Of alienation"
The ear OF Helen detected dis
turbed thrill in the tones of Aunt James
voice, which seemed rather response
to some memory than the effect of any
present cause. She did not reply. II
seemed as if a shadow were creeping
into the room. Aunt Jane, on closing
the last sentence, had dropped her
eyes; and she was losing herself in
thought-hot pleasant thought, as
could be seen.
Don't think anything more about
it, sunty," said Mrs. Orton, with af'
fected cheerfulness. "It isn't just
right. will acknowledge. A bad
habit, of which we must break our
selves. But we are only children yet,
you know; and children are willful
sometimes"
"No, dear, not children; but of rR'
tional age. The substance of your
mind is hard enough to take enduring
impressions, and warn you, solemnly
to take care what kind OF impression:
are suffered to be made.
"Oh, why viii you be SO serious
aunty2" It's the most trifling thing
in the world. Henry and l under
stand each other perfectly. The fac
is, we enjoy these little tete-tetes, nov
and then. They make pleasant va
riety. We must have things spicy ant
pungent occasionally, or we would los'
our taste for common good"
$50 I thought once; but" Aun
Jane checked herself. A little Will
sfterward she looked up at her neic'
and said: ...-.
- "Helen, did you never hear. frou
your mother. about my early life?"
"Mother has never spoken Of it." re
Piled Mrs. Orton.
-. "She was always considerate-al
ways prudent--s wiser and better wo
man than your aunt, Helen, and. NOR
than that happier. The currents O
her life have run smoothly, and why
chiefly, because she was not, like to
many others, all the while casting oh
,structions therein. You resemble NJ
in more things than you resemble you
mother. 1 wish it were not so. Ne1
to my good wish must come my goo
deed. Twill tell you of my early Iii
II will unveil the skeleton in NJ
house, that you may see and tax
warning" .r 10
"At twenty was married--a ligh
hearted, self-willed, thoughtless gir
in almost every thing untitled for th
position Of a wife. My husband va
older By six years, but not superior
mental discipline. An only SOD, /
had been indulged-mother and siste
Welding to him for so long . time th
lie had come to expect others to 81
rav when he asserted his will. Apa
rom this be was sfectionste, kind, no
orahls and intelligent; possessing ra
intellectual powers, and conslderab
- 5Et=-' j