Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-02-27
L...tr
gBn: Original stotg.
Written for the Advertiser.
ROSA CASSELS /;
OR,
THE CONT TRAsT T.
By S. A. L.


AMONG the large number Of young ladies
who made UP the Aourishing and popcia.,
school of the Rev. Mr.. Merton and lady, none
were more admired or more enthusiastically.
loved than Rosa and Jennie cassels, the
daughters of an excellent widow living on
the outskirts OF the town. g
An accident had deprived them in their
car!iest. youth their. .fsther,z onissssa
young lawyer. He had been thrown from
his horse and SO injured as to survive but a
few days; leaving to his bereaved family the
rich Inheritance Of a spotless character. The
little cottage he had managed to build from
the proceeds of the small patrimony of lis
wife, being his all Of worldly goods.
After the first shock Of her bereavement
had passed away, and Edward Cassels sweet
young wife had set herself to work in order to
support herself and two little girls, she began
to realize how difficult would be the task to
feed, clothe and educate her children as she
herself had bean; but a dauniless spirit and
lireless energy were hers, and she went for
ward with resolution that never ialiered.
Her skill in embroidery soon made her
name among the fashionable ladies of C'airs,
Vile, and until her daughters werc-the elder
sixteen and her sister fourteen years Of age
she had lived not only decently, but COM
fortaby-and had added, by her economy
and perseverance, neat and sweet-toned
piano To the other tasteful furniture with
which her husband had provided their Cot
tage, on their marriage.
A few months prior to the opening Of our
little Story, a long aud almost fatal spell of
sickness had consumed the little surplus of
money on hand, and Mrs. Cassels began to
fear that herself, and above all, Der young
and lovely daughters, might be called to real
izc the privations and sufferingS of poverty.
To educate her girls had been her eager,
heartfelt intention so, that if deprived CT
herself, their only known relative, they would
be enabled to gain their own livelihood. Her
own and hor husbands parents were Euslisl'
These were all gone, and she knew not that
they had relative on earth.
The little horde of money was gone, da-
mond ring, an heir loom in her family, had
followed and with detected heart did Mary
Casscls admit to her loving heart, that the
seeds of her disorder had fastened on her
vitals, and she must leave her children on the
world, without friend or means Of support.
The dreary winter had passed away, and
spring, with her azure skies, and garlanls OF
roses, cncc more made the eurth glad, when
Rosa and Jennie Cassels were called to give
up the mother they had well nigh worshipped.
The evening after the funeral, whilst sitting
alone in their little parlor, weeping over their
bereavement, knock at the door announced
their teacher, good and kind Mr.. Merton.
After the silence Of few moments had pass
ed, he enquired Of Rosa her plans fer the
future.
You know, Mr.. Merton, what my mothers
wishes were; 1 cannot remain at school
longer, and am as yet TOO young, as we'll aS
too ignorant, to think of teaching. I don't
know what to do, without it is to endcavor to
get sewing from the shops for myself and my
sister, to enable us to i've"
"Will you allow me to advise you, Rosa9"
said her kind friend.
"Certainly, Mr.. Merton. Itwas my mothers
request that we should go to you in our diff
culties."
~ will lease your house for you until you
are twenty one; yourself and your sister
shall board with me. The proceeds Of your
rent will clothe and board you. You shall
be under my tuition until you are eighteen
YOUR sister tho same. You shall then teach
in my Academy until you obtain your ma
jority for your continued places under my
supervision. Will that suit you ?" ~
Joyfully did the sisters avail themselves o.
their kind friends advice; and IS SOON al