The Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1870-1871, 1871-02-26

| t1c lakc 10 get HcT WuucT-illcS Ill sum-
mer when he was n boy; and in ripper
years they attended the same singing
school, and sat in the same pew at church
Engaged, lookers-on pronounced them;
but, for all their intimacy, no love-word
had yet passed between them.
When John left home, to read law in
a distant town, his last visit was to Ma
plewood, and he left plain gold ring
with Lizzie as keepsake; and through
the dreary months of his absence, she
had never once removed it from her fin
ger He was coming home now! The
news had made her cheeks bloom with
delight; but down in her hidden heart
was little thorn that spoiled all her
pleasure. John had not written one line
to her during his absencc-she did not
mind that so much; but he had written
to SusieHastings, that was what stung
her, and to the very quick, too. Miss
Pamela Perkins, the village gossip, was
the bearer of this delectable information.
"Nell, Lizzie" she said, one day,
fiouncing in, and taking out her roll of
knittinS-work, "when did you hear from
John?'
"Thcy had letter at Sleepy Hollow
last week." Lizzie answered, quietly,
land he was doing well"
"He don't write to you, then? I
thought you correspondent in course,
being as you kept company so long"
Lizzie vouchsafed 10 answer. She
went Oh.
"Susic Hastings had letter OH Thurs
day was there when it came. He
writes to her regular, bleivc."
Lizzie asked no question relative to
the matter but the remembrance of it
ranked in her heart like thorn. But
she made mp her mind to go to Sleepy
Hollow with the rest and in the excite
ment Of getting up appropriate apparel
she half forgot her vexation. Hcrdres was
exquisitc-an all wool merino of the
richest and wnlmcst crimson, trimmed
with sparkling buglcs and dainty lace,
and comb set with pearls to keep back
her silkcn trcsses. When the last stitch |
WAS set, she put them away in the great, |
o;,kon chest; and the silly child would
creep dozen times day, and raise tie |
heavy lidto feast her eyes on their beauty |
Christmas-eve came atlast. The great
doublc-horse sleigh was drawn MP before
the door, ready to make sharp start
for Sleepy Hollow on the morrow. Just
before the clear, wintcry sunset, Miss
PAMELA dropped in.
"lve been running round all the after
noon" she began, seating herself in the
best armchair, and putting out her
heavy shoes before the fire, wishing nv
neighbors II merry Christmas; and 1
couldn't think O sighting you, Jiss
Marvin, though 1 shouldn't wonder if
the tramp don't gle me my death O. cold.
The SHOWS as slick as butter, and the
wind cuts like Il knife. I'm Jest from
Miss Herkamps; but they're ill hoels
over head a cooking and cleaning, and 1
might rs well o spared myself the trouble
o going, for all the comfort had"
Mrs. Marvin smiled, and said, "Indeed!"
md Mss Pamela went OIL. |
They never was much, them Her.
kamps; they're a tight-fsted, stingy set;
md many be the mouthful they've cat in
our house when my poor father was
alive. All, me! Christmas was Christmas
then. Why, Miss Jiarvin, if you'll b'leve
me. my father had more for one nights
landings round than some folks have for
heir whole Christmas; but s'pose you'll
nave a grand time down at Sleepy Hol-
ow? You're all going?"
ITO he coatinued)
F F. &c "A l. JOURNAL