The Portland daily press., 1865-06-03
Saturday Morning, June 8, 1865.
= The City Belle.


my sweet Louisa, the doctor has inform
ed your pa that he can prescribe nothing FUR
ther Tor you, except q six months residence
iA the country, which, with proper care, he
says, may greatly alleviate your symptoms
We have consulted on tbs subject, aud have
concluded to write TO . relative ofours il.
Lebanon county 10 know II she can accomo-
date and nurse you. Your pa and cannot
possibly leave the city at present, bug Sarah
shall accompany you, aud she is carelul and
affectionate.,
'Oh ma, ho can I live six months IN the
country-aWay from fashion, society, and all
the eiegancies OF Lie p Ana with no other
companions than the eEude, ignorant,i country
girls? Dear me, cannot ihiuk oG 1t. hAo
rather stay and die fiere.' iatse Attha ~
This conversation took place between Mrs.
Henshaw and her invalid daughter, ia one Of
the most elegantly furnished pailors in Phlla-
delphia. Mrs. Henshaw was leader sofs the
fashionable circle, and her only child, Louisa,
had been a belle from girihood. But adepres=
sion Of spirits and bodily languor had for some
time lain heavily over her, and her health had
begun rapidly TO decline. Perhaps she could
explain the cause Of her illness, but she did
not attempt it, and her affsctionats mother de-
ttrmIned 70 lay upon her country relatives
the burden OF which che was SO heartily wea
ry; 1t was to her own brother that she hAd
resolved to conhde her child. He was a
wealthy farmer, living on the very lands on.
which she had passed her youth. Having
been adopted by wealthy childless aunt, she
had married the rich and elegant ar. Hen
shaw, and had utterly forgotten the home aud
friends of her childhood. ill ID became necesrr
sary to take Louisa to the county, and then
the utter imp0ssiblity OF leaving the city her
self awakened In her memory the idea oil a
brother that was once so dear 10 her. But she
spoke of him then with only cooluess, trusting
that her daughters opinion would Justify her
caution. Louisa wept bitterly 1t the thought
OF leaving her parents, her friends, and her ac-
Quaintances; but her mother hastened to the
preparations, and the Invalid lady with her
maid were sent away, with an earnest charge
to avoid damp afr and damp feet, aud
write ii she should grow worse. aHasaes inv Is
1t was the latter part Of March when they
set out, but. the day was exceedingly nne !;
Louisa wept till the carriage was some dis
tance from the city, andthe sun high i'm the
clear Heaven. Then she uncovered her face
and looked out OF the carriage window with
determination to see some hateiul, or AZ least
unpleasant object But her eyes fellkon neat,
white dwellings and fair fields, with soft
shade OF green on every swell, relieving The
brown ground work, and orchard trees sland-
ing in slightly rows, while the light winged
songsteIs were flushing 10 aud fro, and filing
the air with their sweet ehirpng melody
was already in love with the country. a's =
Mrs. Henshaw received several brief letters
stating that Louisa was contented, and that
her health was improving.
i wonder she can be contented,' Mrs Hen
shaw would exciaiw--sa eirl bike Louisa, ssO
genteel, 80 highly accomplished, 80 very deli
cate and sensitive, to be contentsd amongst
such ignorant, unpolished people | suppose
however, she is amused at the wonder aud ad-
miration Of the country beaux and bellies, and
enjoys a sort OF queenly triumph amongst
them. How must her fine figure, magnificent
costume, and refined language aud manners
contrestrgwith the- coarReness of tho young
creatures about her. Ishould Ike TO Sec nsi
in the rustic church, shining amongst them
like a dew-spabgled rose in a field of daisies
wonder how she gets along with the young
Greys. Il warrant she keeps them all at her
feet, ior she Is queenly gill lshould be
amused to see their awkward attempts 81 iIni-
tating her dress, speech and manners 7sa
Towards the last OF SEPTEMBER, Mrs. Hem
shaw was surprised at the receipt OF = large
sheet OF foolscap in the shape Of letter from
her daughter. She was just dressing for a
sailing party, SO she laid it aside until the next
morning., when with supdry exelsmations OF
wonder she broke the seal. But how did her
wonder increase ~ she read, IA So SD 4f
Dear Father and Mother:
have provided myself with this mammoth
sheet for the purpose, and with the intention
of writing you history OF my six months in
the country ta is 4.ts
we shall find some amusement in this let
ter said Mrs. Henshaw to hera listening husc
band, Louisa is disposed to be facetlous, !
see, by her commencing with father AID
mother, 15 4 =, .ssss3.' e
1T was Saturday evening when arrived at
Mr.. Grey's, and as you will remember, cold
rain had succeeded the fine weather. fer
chilled and miserable, and the snug old iarm
house presented most comfortable appear
ance. As the coach. drew up, the house door
opened, and pleasant looking, portly gentle
man came out, saying to some persons within
"Oh, no, / can bring her In my arms Ii neces-
sary." He looked rather surprised as sprang
from the carriage; he, however, conducted
me very courteously into the parlor. Il wal
large apartment, destitute OF centre table
piano, or lounge, but there was bright woot
fire burning on the hearth, and the room con
tanned everything necessary to comfort, aD6
some superfuities, for before the fire stood 8
velvet cushioned easy chair and footstool, anc
my good aunt Grey, with large snowy pillow
in her hands, was waiting to accomodate hel
invalid niece. She looked cufiously AZ nae; !
blHshed for shame, while my heart overfowes
toward them TOR their kindness And thei
the gFotesqueness of my own position pre-
sented itself, and while / pressed hand Q
each, burst into a hearty fit Of laughter, Il
which my uncle joined merrily. "Girls n b.
cried, as soon as he could speak-"come, you
cousin needs no possets or weak soups; com,
and shake hands with her." ihe three girl
entered, and while they made their cOmpli
ments he went on, away with The big chair
all Louisa wants is employment air, and ex
ercise. and in six weeks she win be able to ru
race with the fleetest beau In the township.
He then sat down beside me and inquired 10
Won beth with great kindness and solicitu
until we were summoned to tea. During th
evening had leisure TO observe my cousin
They are named Mary, Ellen and Lucy. !.
was struck with their beany and Inc proprl
ty of everything around them. 4 assure yol
mother, they were perfectly elegant IN tne
home made dresses, with white capes an
aprons. When we retired for the night,
found. we were all to sleep in large cham6e
with good FIRE in a small fireplace, and w
large beds in opposite corners, with washstant
and all the ct ceteras. Mary. the eldest, 81
down by the table and opening large bibl
began to read. followed the example OF x
len and Lucy, and sat down and listened d
voutly. When the chapter was read she sal
"Let us pray" and we knelt, while she res
devoutly some beautiful evening prayers.
never laid down so happy in my life beior
In the morning we arose before the sun, al
when we came down we, found aunt bui
about the breakfast, and the giils got the viii
pals TO go and milk. would 20 with ther
although was very much afraid of the COW
went into the yard and soon grew SO bold
to put my hand on the one Lucy was mkin
and finanlly learned to do as they did. WI
very awkward and we all laughed hear.it