New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-04-17
Written for the New Orleans Republican,
a LEAF FROM THE LfEE OF a
GovE3E EsS.

when. if ever, our hearts are full OF graft.
tude toward one. who, in His munlhCent
kindness, has embellished this world with
so many natural beauties; when we are
truly thankful that thers> is sOsMuch to be
enjoyed, free of expense by the poor, as well
as those blessed with wealth. In May all
the world appears happy; all things,
both animateNnd inanimate, seem to be en-
Toying life and pleasures. The birds
carol their sweetest notes; the flowers rival
eace other in brightness. 1Ae trees don
their brightest robes of green, as if they
were placed here especially to enjoy and
welcome spring. All beasts, birds and
reptiles appear more contented and happy
as they nip the young, green grass, or lay
resting beneath some mighty forest king,
or lay coied around the brightest rose or
pure lily to inhale it fragrance, and doze in
the soft sunshine. Man, endowed with
reason and wisdom, feels more particularly
that there is something 10 be grateful for,
besides those comforts ard pleasures pur-
chased by dollars and cents. Nature
spreads her mantle of beauty for all, yet she,
too, has her favorite spots. To one of those
l invite my reader; where art and nature
have combined to render everything attrac-
tive even for the most fastidioUs and exact
ing heart.
Douglass you feel that any one dwelling
there can not but be happy and contented.
The sole occupant Of the drawing room re-
clines indolently upon sofa, drawn near
an open southern window. You can at a
single glance see that she is still beautiful,
for age has but lightly touched her brow.
An expression.of anxiety mars her beauty;
there is wanting that indispensable charm
communicated to the face by contented
and happy heart. As l enter the room she
turns to 3 servant, who is arranging flowers
On small, exquisitely beautiful table, and
inquired impatieutly:
''Kitty, where is Miss Laura? 1t is ex-
ceedingly provoking to have her linger 80
long over her toilette, when l momentarilY
expect the arrival of Mr.. Stanton. 1t will
vex him very seriously to be received and
welcomed by the mother alone, when ne
comes on the wings of love to see the daugh.
ter-his affianced bride"
"Miss Laura is in the garden. She sent
these flowers, only remaining to gather a
white bud for her hair"
"Ah! dear child She is aware of his pas.
81 for white camelias, and, ever DESTROYS
of pleasing him. will appear with his fayorite
in her hair. But, Kitty, do you not think
my child looks pale and languid OF late ?"
81 fancy since the last visit of her cousin
Lawrence she is more silent, aud seems pre-.
occupied with her own thoughts"
$50 and tell Laura that desire her com
pany, immediately in the parior.'
HTS DUuklhes IlOu
and arranged her dress on the sofa, leaving
space for another beside her, aud with a
smile of condescension invited me 70 oc.
Cupy it.
Miss Fletcher, - said she, addressing NE,
"being my daughters governess, you have,
of course, observed. and l presume taken
advantage of the many opportunities you
have had to ascertain the cause of the I'M
accountable change IN your pupils con-
duct"
''Indeed, Mrs. Douglass, have observed
the change, but l do not think it unac.
C0untable.'
Pray" said she, haughtily "be kind
enough to inform me why you appear to
enjoy my daughters confidence, aud her
own mother excluded
Indeed, you misunderstood me. l do
not wish to convey the idea that am aware
of the cause Of Miss Laura's listlessness and
indifference, but merely think it very easily
accounted for, if you pause to consider the
change in circumstances and feelings"
Change in circumstances" she angrily
exclaimed, edo you then share with me my
husbands confidence. thought that was
the only one who knew of his pecuniary
embarrassments. / desired to conceal this
from Laura, at least for the present"
Again, madame, you are entirely mis-
taken. / am ignorant of any lossess sus-
tanned by Judge Douglass. / see | must
speak in plain terms, not to be misunder-
stood; therefore, I expect forgiveness if
offend.'
proceed, Miss presume you can com.
MuDicate nothing concerning either my
daughter or husband that will offend or sur
prise me, If you confne yourself to the
truth"
Have you ever detected me in the slight
est falsehood?"
''Pardon me, Miss Fletcher, and attribute
my Impotence to excessive anxiety; obige
me by giving, without hesitation, your
opinion Of Laura's present want OF ANNA
ton and interest"
''You are aware that the sympathy be-
tween the mind and the body is so strong
that the movements of one depend upon
the will or the condition of the other; few
Of our sex can feign gayety; we can not
dance, sing and be merry when our hearts
are sad, lonely and hopeless. A few weeks
Stree Laura was a child devoted to study
her heart was free and light, having nothing
to conceal; its pages were exposed to the
loving gaze of her mother. You invited
your nephew, Lawrence, to spend month
at Sour home, and he was dependant entire
ly upon his cousin for amusement Belug
constantly in his society, Laura was tasci-
mated, and hesitated not to show it, and she
never having received the attention OF any
other, not only listened eagerly to his tail
of love, but heard it with a strange. exul
tant pleasure, and thus it continued until
solemn VOWS, arising from deep and fer
vent love, had knit their hearts closely to
gether. saw aud wondered at your blind
ness. At first thought it met with you
entire approval, but soon discovered tina
you would only consent to see your Gaugh
ter the bride Of wealth, and for this reason
only you had encouraged the visits Of the
wealthy master of Stanton Hail. ant
induced her to think that the gratitude
aroused in her young heart by his great ad
miraLion, and many handsome presents. wa
love, and not Notwithstanding the dissipated lif
he had led, far more than twice her age, b
was vet suitable aud desirable husband
and she could ever love and respect, an
insin uated that not only did her father ap
prove of the match. but it was the first wisl
of his heart. This and much more was CON
muncated TO Laura with great tenderness
oy you, with magnificent and approprIat
gifts from the lover, accompanied by pro
testations of eternal affection and kindness
So entirely were you wrapped In you
dreams of future Injuries that you failed t
perceive your daughters utter aversion 4
The man, but saw only her smiles OF pleas
use when thanking him for his costly pres
ents, for she is child enough to be please'
with rich toys. l,inot being the one .
share her wealth, was more c0nslderate 10
her happiness, and soon succeeded in analy
ling her heart, and found, to MY sorrow
<snay, and IN n altprAhle love for Lawrence