The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-10-09

igln accounted to most people for this supe-
rlority, and it also helped to account for the
surprising beauty Of her daughter. Lefty
was positively fair, with fnelv.cut features,
long glossy hair, and figure so finely moul-
ded, yet 20 slender, that she Nigh, have stood
for the Youngest of the graces. To stran-
ger 1t was astonishing that the girl could
have come Of African blood, but one gets
accustomed to any wonder. Every body knew
her to be Elva's daughter, born Oh the same
day as Miss Letitia, and allowed to grow up
as her plavfelow and foster-Sister, for Elva
Was made nurse TO the infant heiresS, having
either by her wisdom or good luck acquired
the particular confidence and cold-b!ooded
liking Of Mrs. Fosbrook, and continued to
be her right hand woman and family seams
tress till the time of MY story.
The quantity OF tne-nt edle work she did
for Mis-. Fcsbrook was something to be as
tonished 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.. Fosbrook, and
saved bin the trouble he should have had
with that seli-wilet, obstinate looking man,
Elva's husband. The poor creature was so
much better without him. Did not all her
friends see how contenteLly she sat in her
own little rooms, on the back veranda, work
ing away from morning till night? That
woman was a treasure. Eiva's daughter was
not in such favor with the "misSis," though
a genter, more swee;-tempered girl could
not have been found among black or white
Indeed, there was something both soft and
sad in Letty's look and manner, which made
one believe in omens when Ter atter-tate was
come. 1t vas perhaps he gsniIeneSs and
sweetness Of her disposition, as we'll as their
ear y playtlnes. which made Ike loulg heir
ess cling so tonuiy 10 hyr Eumbie companion,
and take such delight in hey society, even
when grown-up life, with It's duties aud dis
tinctions came or. They lad never been
seen separate, except when her motLar wait
ed Lefty, and Miss Leti,:a had 20 60 to les
Sons. to which the younc lady was not par-
jiai; and when, dt last, the b:in@iaH-out line
came. ard she Was expected to be aLnircd
and married in due tine. Mss I.etit;a stil.
protes d thai Lefty and she should never
part, but live ozetncr as al ;tress aud maid
lust like mamma and Era.@
ihe Young LADY, was n that l1iu1 ahrn her
fife enth birthday arrived. Caro-, Of invita-
ton had been issued three weeks before To-
The hall of Charleston | had the ilonor OF
receiving one, and can vouch that It was a
large anG Well dressed gathering; but the
,rinclpal guest of the eyenir = vas C"l. Eos
brock. Though never on bad terms with
the proprietor, he had been seldom at the
hall. Some said it's lady was not to his ulinG
some that his military duties took him to
different quarters. At all events, he was
known by reputation rather than by sight ic
Mr.. Foshrock's friends; but all who saw him
that evening acknowledged that a mUre dis
tinguished, looking or agreeable man never
entered Carolina bar-roon. Mr. FosbrooE
had made a point Of having him on the birth
day. His excellent lady and be were toe
prudent to say it in so many words, but
as then family lawyer, guessed that they hac
set their hearts on a match between the
colonel and the heiress. Though at leas
twenty years her senior, he was only in ths
prime of life, a man whom any lady nigh
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 Lelitia
and most suitable to perpetuate the NAM
and line.
He was expected to stay for some weeks
but could not arrive before the evening o
the birthday remember being Introduces
to him in the crowded ballroom, and observ
ing that, though attentive to ali the ladies
as became southern gentleman, he showe
particular regard ior the daughter Of til
house, ard the belle OF the evening. l fol
got how long her mother and female friend
had been occupied with what She shopl
wear. The young laty's complexion puzzle
them. At last they fixed upon amber satir
with gold ornaments, in which, | must sa,
Miss Leti,a looked well. They had at IL
same time agre+d-because nothing els
would serve the helTe>S-Un dressing Leu