Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1872-06-15

And brawny, working hand,
Why DO thousands pass him by
With q cold and scOruful eye,
II u mans no whit the worse?
AUNT PENELOPE,S CuLIDHOOD.
Not that dress, Pcul See hereP
and she shook out the folds of a
beautiful brocaded silk and showed
me the sleeves heavy with lace, and
the great gold buckle set with pearls
that was to accompany il, and the
embroidered stOmachcr and the
high-hceled, peaked slippers
When was dressed / went down
and surveyed myself in the pier
glass. l w4s at least two inches tall
er than usual, and nay train was like
queens for length, and there was
color in my checks and light in
my eyes that l had never seen there
before.
Ruth danced around me delighted.
Isn't she a beauty, SamuelP she
cried.
And then Samuel walked me up
and down the room and made me
practice making courtcsies-which
/ had much ado 70 perform rightly,
owing to the heels Of the slippers
and the long dress-and finally said
hc didn't think he should be asham-
ed of me, and that ! should 90 the
next day, in the same dress, and sit
for my pOtrait.
Then David can see how l looked
at my first dinner l said.
'DaYidr
Ruth said the word in such tone
that / looked up in astOnishment;
but before l could speak there was
knock at the door and Captain
Chalonicr was shown in.
IL L had liked him in the morning
how much more now that he was
como on purpose TO be agreeable.
For Janet, my dear, the most sim
cere people dare not 90 into society
with their manners in dcShdbiile.
There is always an unconscious put
ting of the best foot forward.
The evening flew fast. When
Captain ChalOnier left he had prom
ised to come for us the next day
and accompany US to the rooms of
the portrait painter. In those days
girls didn't 90 everywhere alone.
1t was considered proper TO have an
escort.
And so our acquaintance began.
But it did not seem new. There
was a sweet, familiar feeling about
it, sense of naturalncss, a pleasant
giving up of the past and forsetful-
ness of the future.
For weeks saw Captain Chalon-
Ter every day and / never once
thought to ask myself whittier was
tending.
My old life at home, David, even
father and mother faded away out
of my mind. l tried sometimes to
rouse myself, to pick up the broken
links and bring back the old feeling.
But the life that was gone did not
seem mine. There was new Pene-
lope Meredith in place OF the old
one, a creature of vivid sensations
which that simple girl never knew.
Life seemed to open out and around
me indefinitely, and upward it rose
as high as heaven.
By-and-by the portrait was done
and sent home. Ruth and 1 went
into the parlor the next morning
and found Captain Chalonier stand
ing before it.
Ruth lifted her eyebrows archly.
No, indeed, Captain Chalonerl
You must be generous enough TO
give ne the portrait
His face suddenly darkened; he
said not a word in answer, and pres
emily went away. Nor did lac come
again for 4 week.
l was hurt and troubled. miss
ed my friend. l had a sOrrowful
pTesentiment of coming evil. The
days went slowly and had no dc
light in them.
At last, one morning, l heard Ills
knock, and in n moment he was be-
side me but so alter ed that l exclaim-
ed
Have you been ill?
NO! have been doing penance.'
d don't understand you,' 1 RETURN
ed, bewildered.
Il have staid away from you
week. Is not that a punishment?'
But YOU have come back. IdOnt
know what sin haunts yon; but If
you arc repentant will absOlye you.
will your he asked eagerly.
Does repentance atone for wrong
doing?'
'Reparation may
'Ahi But if no reparatiOn is possi-
ble?' and his face clouded as he spoke.
was quite puzzled.
lie SMILED presently, seeing it.
Pardon me. l didn't come to an
noy, but to ask you to ride with me.
The day is beautiful and the roads
are good
| could not decline so tempting an
invitation, and presently i was up
on Ruth's pony aRbling beside him.
The day was so sweet, my friend
was so gracious and genial, ii was
so pleasant to be with him again,
that my cloud dissolved in the ether.
By-and-by l should go home.
When l took up the old life again
its charm would come back. For
the present, why not be glad in the
way that was natural. So | was
happy for that one brief hour, little
guessing how soon the night was to
close around me.
We were ia the midst of the
crowd, urging our horses through
il, when suddenly l felt the saddle
girth slipping, and in a moment
more / should have been down
among the traInpling feet. But
somebody, who was just abreast of
US, sprang from the sidewalk and
caught me in his arms. looked up
in his face, and-oh! il was David
And something had happened at
home.
What is it?' l whispered.
Don't be frightened! Your moth
er is sick; not dangerously; but she
has sent for you TO come home.'
II. Ill j a
think to introduce Captain Chalo-
nier for a minute or two. When
L did so the two gentlemen bowed
cOldly. David refused to 90 home
with US, but he would come for me
at one O'Clock if L would be ready.
Aud so Captain ChalOnicr aud i
rode back alone. He hardly spoke
to me, hardly even looked at me.
But he went into the house, having
sent the horses away; and when /
came down stairs after slipping off
my habit L found him in the parlor.
He came to meet me with wistful
look on his face that touched me.
4 staid to bid you goodbye he
said, holding out his hand.
'GOod-byn l tried TO repeat the
words, but they died on my lips.
a last good-byv he said, with
sudden vehemence. Do you know
that we are parting forever? Oh,
how can let you goY
Suddenly, as by blaze OF heaven
ly light, l saw my own heart. No
need of learning TO love here, no
need of delay, no room for doubt.
my soul leapt up to meet its king,
my heart recognized its mate chosen