The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-11-25
went home, ] believe, pondering

AS Uilc idIS )dSSSts, oIlu my IC-
lations became more and more in
volved i'll their winter gaieties, I
found myself more and more
thrown upon my own resources
for amusement. Occasionally I
was included in an invitation, and
accepted it; but in general I pre-
ferred indulging my fancy for
keeping aloof from those who were
little charmed with my company.
A system of the most unblushing
bribery had won for me a warm
welcome from the savage tribes in
the nursery. Many and many an
evening found mo walking down
that hedged lane in the frosty
dusk, with Teecie Ray imping by
my side, and talking her grave,
simple little talk. l had always
some fresh puzzle to propose to
her, and she was always ready to
knit her smooth brows over it's So
luton. Once she stopped short
and struck her little crutches on
the snow
you ought to 90 away from
here and work" she cried. 80, if
l could!'
\ certain Sir Harry arrived at
Rutland Hall; I will not trouble
myself to think of his second
name; it is not worth remember
ing. He was a wealthy bachelor
Of high family, and his movements
were watched with interest by tho
lady Of the house. This Sir Harry
had fancy for smoking his cigar
IN the hedged lane, and on more
than one occasion he encountered
my little benefaetress limping on
her solitary way, and stared at the
pretty, fresh face undcl her old
black hat till it blushed' with un-
comfortable brilliance. Teecie
changed her track like hunted
hare, but Sir Harry scented her
out, and annoyed her with his full
some compliments. The matter
reached Mrs. Rutland's ears, and
she vented her chagrin on the de-
fenceless little girl. I know not
what sorry accusations and re-
proaches she bestowed upon her
during a long private lecture; but
that evening when, at the children's
tea hour, | entered the nursery
door with new ball in nv hand
for Jack, (the youngest and least
Objectionable of the band, I saw
Teecie Rays face grievously cloud
ed for the first time. It was flush
ed and swollen with passionate
crying. [ do not intend to commit
to paper certain remarks which [
made soto roc' on beholding this
distigurement.
Come come, Teecie," I said,
while Nurse was busy quelling a
disturbance which had arisen be-
cause Cousin Guy" had not
brought something to every one
else as ~ell rs Jack; where is all
your philosophy, little mother?
You need never preach to me again
II you set such a bad example"
Teecie said never word, but
stared on into the fire. This
wound had cnt deep. Sir Harry
and Mrs. Rutland, of Rutland
Hall, at that moment I should
have dearly loved to knock your
two good-for-nothing heads to-
gether!
''Teecie,' L said, you have one
friend at any rate, even if he be
not very grand one"
She gave one of her quaint, ex-
pressive little mods. Translated,
it meant: Il understand all that,
but | cannot talk just now" By
and-by, however, she Frightened
up, and went to the cable to claim
her share.of tea and thick bread
and butter, and I began to mend
a bow belonging to Tom. Tom
was one of the leaders of the
unruly tribes, Il regular savage
chieftain.
Ere two days more had passed,
[ felt stongly inclined to exercise a
horsewhip on this young gentle
mans shoulder. Tom, one fine
morning, was seized with an imp
lsh inspiration t. play trick upon