Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-12-13
[BY REQUEsT.l
Ola r. 1 U WI .

WITH the SoQCleSC, SOltcot,
breeze, the very music of the spheres. L
was on such an evening that we were sit
ting at a window looking out upon a bay
of shadow water where a meZzotinto O.
MANY delicately colored clouds was beauti
fullv reflected. Some resembled a snow
drift upon roses others purple and COLDER
islands, while in the deep blue sky, ''late
yesper lit her evening star" Many vessels
and boats were lying as if asleep, and bu
for the occasional appearance Of red-capt
blue-vested seaman, istlessly smoking hi:
pipe as he sauntered upon deck, or leaned
over the gangway, there would have beer
in the landscape of the bay perfect repose
From the fleet cOursers of the moon, bright
clouds now arose in the east, and as they
hOated above the horizon in many vapor'
ing forms, GO sable cloud turned forth hel
silver lining" and the full moon appeared
She looked down upon small boat as il
came darting over the bay, flashing its slen.
der oars, and SCATTERING the water, while il
dipped its way to shore. Upon reaching the
strand, an elderly man secured it to stake,
and after removing several baskets and
some fishing tackle, returned to assist lit
lie girl of twelve or fourteen years of age,
to walk the rocking boat and cross a
springing plank into the deep sand, which
completely gathered her little feet In TAX
ing an airing few days afterwards, we
passed the boat at its mooring, and read
upon the prov, Sea Bird.
There is, sometimes, an lntuitive con-
seriousness of a propelling disposition in
the mind to know something of the histo-
" Of one or more individuals, or it may be
i house, or some other inanimate object
We cannot divine reason for this mesmer-
&c attraction, for we pass, III the mOnOtOny
of every day life, similarobjects unnoticed
re 70 hOTJSp
individual, until we unravel the web Of their
history sufficiently to learn some good les
son. # are aciU It was in this way that we
sought out, so far as it was honorable, the
history OF
MARY KEDAR.
- Mrs hedar. Trimming shop" This
is the place. There was IN elderly looking
woman standing at the door as We entered
with cap, kerchief, and apron Of the whit
est muslin. An air of comfort and neatness
prevailed in the shop, and it was in perfect
order. After purchasing few articles, we
requested her to allow us the liberty of en-
curing whether the little girl we had seen
in the Sea Bird was her daughter or not?
9 You shall have ready answer" she re-
piled, - for we are acquainted with you al
though we are strangers. She is my child,
and her father sometimes takes her out in
the sill boat you spoke of, for she delights
in the water, in shells, in birds and flowers,
and seldom is amused with what usually
pleases girls of her age"
Does she go to SCHOOL,"
'sOhl yes. The teacher says she will learn
in one more session all that she can teach
her and Miss - is known to be an ex-
cellent instructress in all the English branch
Is OF education"
g Is she at home ?"
1Ivra Myra"
The door opened little way, and an in
nocent face, much concealed by long brown
curling hair, appeared.
Come in"
As she entered the shop her mother way
ed her hand towards us. The child blush
ed and cOurtesied, hesitated Ii moment, and
then advanced. We patted her soft head
and invited her to visit US, promising to
give her as many flowers as she desired
When Myra Kedar came over to see us,
we were pleased with the simple style of
her apparel. There were none of those long
red and yellow and green streamers, which
50 often deck the craniums of young per-
sons iii her position of life. Her bonnet
was Of plain straw simply trimmed with
ribbon which crossed the crown and Sc
cured it beneath her chin. Her dress was
bingham, with white apron, and shoes
AID stockings of remarkable neatness.-
She brought on her arm a small covered
basket, with white napkin folded over it,
which. af -er the usual salutations, she pre-
scented to us. 1t contained a very fine or
ange, which had been carefully washed
and placed upon branch of blooming ge-
raneum.
Did your mama arrange this pretty
present, Myra?" we enquired.
My mama was very much engaged, was
the reply, and she permitted me to suit
IN own fancy"
There was q moral in this, and We after
wards discovered by repeated interchanges
with her, that she was an intelligent, af
iectionate girl, with a refined taste and a
good heart.
Years rolled away into oblivion during
long absence from village. When
we Were again SO situated as to return to it,
Myrl kedar was among the first of our ac-
quaintances inquired after
Amytcrious shake of the head, anda cruel
smile, was all the intelligence we derived.
That smile haunted us like al evil spirit.
1t was Satanic in its origin, and vainly did
We strive to exercise 1t, for again and
again ii returned with all its bitter malevo-
lence, and there was no rest for us until we
discovered some clue to the dark labyrinth
IN which the dew drop we left glittering in
all OF It's purity upon newly opened flow
er had persisted.
The father was dead, and the mother had
driven the daughter from her DWELLING
Oh what misery was here. After much
difficulty we obtained access to Mrs. Kedar.
She was always busy, she would say, when
ever We proposed to converse privately with
her. She suspected the subject, and ap-
Deared proud and cold in her demeanor.
Where is her heart to be found, thought
we. 1t Is smOthered III selfshness and
pride of ppearances-very commendable
III the order of her household, but utterly
aud savagely out OF place here. During
this time our search for the daughter was
Untiring.
In passing the shop one day, We had
scarcely advanced more than 4 few yards
NeyOnd it, when a runner came up, with a
re quest from Mrs. X. that we would just
ste, in for one minute. The hope glided
in on bosom that she WAS becoming NOR
bid Il ON suppressed feelings for her child,
and we gladly retraced our steps, and was
soon she WI into a small back parlOr. Mrs.
Kedar am, Neared at first somewhat embar-
rassedLbn. soon recovered herself g
have had a d cam she began. In regard
1!