The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-10-11
THE WORLD IsGoVERNED TOO MUCH.

mands. Flattered by the favor shown
her, she availsd herself of every OPP
portunity, during the absence of her
parents, to taunt and aggravate Annie,
well aware that if it reached her Moth-
er's ears her sister alone would suffer.
Day TO day it continued, day to day
Annie strove to defend herself as best
she could. Yet her replies only pro-
voked her parents from the moment
she entered their presence until she
quit it, and eternal pickering pre-
vailed.
"Annie," her mother was heard to
say, "you are disagreeable and odious,
necessarily seeking quarrels with your
sister. She is younger; it is your duty
to give way to her and you shall not
assume authority over her." i
'But mother" she would reply, '.it
is Emma that is hateful and annoying,
full of deceit, and does all she can to
torment me. You do not perceive it,
because she never attempts it IN yoar
presence, and SO long as you suffer her
to continue it, it shall not pass me I'M
noticed"
1t was plain Mr.. and Mrs. Sidney
were blind to Emma's faults-in their
eyes better natured child never lived.
No complaints ever reached them from
her little friends. 1t was only Annie's
malicious disposition she alone could
find fault with her, why then should
they punish their innocent Emma when
she did not merit it'll Thankful was
Annie when night came, that she might
lay her weary head upon her pillow,
placing her life in Gods care. Repose
would bring relief. She could then
forget the trying ordeal she had pass
ed that day. Oft she dreamed of a
happy home-not of a brown palace,
luxuriously furnished, or of parents,
whose hearts were chiseled out of mar
bic; nor where strife ard broil were
written in bold relief wherever you
turned your eyes. But of an humble
dwelling, where love and happiness
greeted you at every step, where each
smile betokened contentment, and
where friendship and cordiality routed
all opposition. But when the first
streaks of dawn peered through her
window to call her from her rest, and
she walked only to find them dreams,
she would bury her head beneath the
covers Jas the. thought required to her
that another day of sorrow like the
past awaited her.. At breakfast her
mother, only to be seconded by her fa-
ther, ever found a willing subject
wherewith to reproach and scold her.
These marble-hearted beings were
slowly killing a sweet flower. Unable
to withstand il, Annie would seek her
chamber, and, locking the door, throw
ing herself upon her bed, weep bitter
tears, and almost pray God to claim
her unhappy self. She avowed if they
continued, she would leave home.-
Henry Huntington had known and
loved her all his life. Though hardly
better than son of Poverty in worldly
goods, aud but few years her senior,
he had sought her father and pleaded
FOR her hand, but Mr.. Sidney bitterly
opposing and disdaining such q re-
quest, informed him his thoughts were
all waste of time. "You're but boy
inexperienced. No, sir; cannot sane
ton your union think no more of it.'
Such was the purport of his reply
Still Annie waived all objections. She
would go to him; he was not rich, but
all the better. The instance of her
present home afforded proof that
"riches would always beget happiness
Henry was bat waiting for a favorable
opportunity; he would take her with
out, further consultation with her pa
rents, as it would only result in anoth-
er refusal. Her resolve was made,
upon the least provocation she would
flee her natural home. Within week
it came. In the course of conversation
7one evening, the subject fell upon
young Huntington, her father remark
ed upon his youthfulness, lack. Of
means, and the absurdity of Annie's
thoughts of such union, be declared
his mind was made up: "Their mar
riage should never take place." This
sentiment was deeply repugnant to
Annie's feeling, and could not suffer it
to pass, SO in firm and decided man
ner said: "Let your opinion be what it
may, / am determined I shall marry
Henry Huntington, with or without
your permission" These words bare
/ y escaped her, ere her hasty father
sprang to her, and with one blow, fell
ed her to the floor, and in his angry
passion, would, perhaps, have tram
pied upon her, had not her mothers
! (Ah how could she be termed moth
er, when upon her soul and guilty
conscience rested the cause of all Of
Apnie's sufferings,) alarms besought
him to forbear. Poor child, though
senseless stricken, was little hurt; she
soon recovered, and Withdrawing from