The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-11-04


than did Emily amidst the little children
on the lawn. Her happy laugh rang
amongst the shrubs and flowers her
pretty figure might be seen darling along
The gravel walks in pursuit Of some recre-
ant little Sharpe and altogether the wild
ow's daughter scattered so much mirih
and happiness around, and appeared SO
essential to the domestic welfare, and the
difficulty was to imagine how they had
ever contrived to live without her.
AT length spring waned, and the birds
and sunny cloudess skies gave promise of
joyous summer. just then Emily was
flung into an exstacy of delight by the ar
rival of cousin and former schoolma,e
and companion of younger and better
days, who, having learned her new abode,
came to renew the old friendship. Hugh
was now an artist, and had passed some
years in Paris, where. besides his profes-
sional education, be had acquired many
elegant arts and accomplishments, which
were we'll calculated 10 find favor with
one so young and impressible as Emily
Ii was not difficult to see that they were
mutually pleased at the renewal Of their
acquaintance; he, with her simple, happy,
winning ways; she, with his gay and
polished manners. They parted, resolved
to meet again, and often.
From that day new life dawned upon
the widows daughter Hugh was in all
her thoughts and aspirations. She dream
ed of him she thought of him she
talked about him TO the children. He
WAS so finished in dress and manner, and
had seen SO much of which she had not
even heard; and when Emily contrasted
her own simple scant dress with his am
pie and fashionable garments, blush of
vexation stole across her face, and tears
dimmed her blue eyes.
Hugh bad asked her to accompany him
to see some flower gardens in the neigh
borhood, and enjoy a stroll through the
parks; and as her mistress had given per-
mission, Emily prepared for that delight
ful evening. She looked through her
scanty wardrobe, to sec what she should
wear. Had she been less regardful of
appearance, had she loved and admired
Hugh less, or had her own person been
less attractive, she might have felt con-
tented with the humble dress and few
simple adornments che possessed. Un~
happily it occurred to her as she looked
over her little store Of wearing apparel.
that new ribbon on her bonnet would
greatly improve her appearance that, in
fact, she could scarcely walk out with her
cousin, so gaily dressed, and herself wear
ing such a Door faded weather beaten
Lar
But the difficulty lay in obtaining this
ribbon. Her last months salary, save a
few pence kept back for the children, had
been sent TO her mother, and she should
have no further means until the following
week. Pondering this in her mind, il
occurred to her how easy it would be to
obtain what she required at the sliop where
her master dealt, in the next street, if
asked for in his name she could pay for
the ribbon next week, and no one would
be the wiser. Without allowing herself
time to weigh the dishonesty of the act
she put her plan in execution. She was
known at the haberdasher's, and had no
difficulty in obtaining the ribbon so easy
did the process seem, that she was tempt
ed into taking new pair of gloves and a
handkerchief for the neck TO match the
ribbon, all of which were charged to the
account of Mr.. Sharpe whilst Emily left
the shop, thinking only of the happy NOR
row evening, and the walk with her
cousin.
That evening came, with gorgeous
sunset and mellow summer air. They
stroIle1 through the parks, and passed the
most magnificent gardens but Emily had
heard and seen nothing but her cousin,
who had entertained her with such de-
lightful stories of so many charming
places and people, that she was perfectly
amazed and disappointed when she found
herself back at the Sharpes' door, shaking
hands and bidding adieu-her last-to
Hugh. lie was to set out on the follow
ing day for Germany; and with many
protestations of regard and remembrance,
they parted-be on his travels, and she
on journey she had but little antici~
pated.
What could Mr.. Sharpe want with her
in his library next morning early Alone,
seated at his desk, with more than
usual severe countenance, he bade her
close tUe uOOS, Win d idiu IctdIiiC eCuo
in his voice that made it sound like a
human gorg FIin2ing on the table the
fatal purchases of the day preSious-rfb-
bon, gloves and ha ndkerchief-the metal
voice inquired when he had given her au-
thority TO use his name at the haberdash-
er's, and how many more swindling trans
actions of a like character she had been
concerned in. The wrong she had COM
mitted, the offence against the law, work
ed out by her in that evil hour, came full,
and vividly, and painfully before her,
maguified even beyond its proper proper
tion by her ignorance. Confusion gave
place to terror, vague and oppressive /;
and sinking into a chair, she buried her
face In her hands, and gave full vent to
her passion in flood of tears.
Irft, md