American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-01-27
VOL. XXI.

and eyes were of that character which is
worn by sustained rather than spasmodic
action of the muscles. Ne was a man
with terrible, because secret, sorrow.
do not say that you would have gathered
all this on the present occasion, for when
he was III the society of the Maplesons,
he was different being. He was a lonely
man ; most workers have two lives, a pro-
fesslonal and natural one, but until quite
lately he had been student and nothing
else; studying for his livelihood study.
ing for companionship, even at mealtimes;
studying to find an opiate. But since he
had formed an acquaintanceshp which
soon ripened into friendship, with the
young brother and sister, life had acquired
a new interest for him, and that little par
, lor was an ark on the salt waste of his eX-
istence.
He promised to dine with them on
Michaelmas day; and then Susan gave
him his greatest treat-some of Mendles-
sohn's music. He would stand listen till
the water came into his eyes; and this
was not such very curious phenomenon,
for though the girl was not any very bril-
liant performer, treating her instrument
like musical trapeze, and going through
all sorts of wonderful gymnastc feats
upon it, she played with rare feeling and
expression, sending the notes into the
heart, as it were. At halfpast ten the
party broke. Harry Mapleson considered
that as his sister rose early to look after
domestic matters, and get his breakfast
for him, (for even very small establish
ment requires considerable attention
when you have only got the third part of
servant to "do' for you,) she ought to
be early at the other end of the day too
so he invariably yawned and went up to
his room at the top of the house before
eleven. But when he got there he made
no preparation for going to bed, but put
writing materials out on a table, and draw
ing from his pocket the paper which he
had received from one of the heads of de-
partments before leaving the office, he sat
down to work. 1t was three o'clock be-
fore his task was accomplished.
"a slice of luck, this" he said to him.
self, on turning in at last 'just as | was |
wondering how | would meet those pay
ments had overlooked without cutting
Off some little expense, which would show /.
Susan that l was hard up, | get this extra I
job of work, which will set me straight. /
What a manager that girl is am afraid |
she stints herself in dress and tha, |
must not be; it shall not bet
mother if | can help it, And think
ing of her who was gone, he fell asleep.
Susan's bedroom communicated with
the parlor, and when her brother and Mr.
Nicholson went up stairs, she passed into
it, returning again soon with quantity
of millinery materials, from which she
proceeded to concOct one of those articles
of feminine adornment which fathers and
husbands pay so dearly for.
Poor old Harry" her thoughts ran as
her fingers worked. 'IIe thinks that |
do not see that his salary is too little for
our expenses, and burst not demonstrate
with him when he wastes his money upon
things | really do not want; it would dis
appoint him so! How fortunate it is that
have got this knack of making things,
which secures me employment at my own
home! How little he thinks that | so of
ten follow him into London, carrying my
work to the shop when it is completedl 4
The ordinary seamstress' work | tried at
first was not worth WHILE but they pay
well for this. | wish Harry would spend
| little upon himself; | burst not give !
lin a new coat or hat in return for his ,
nantillas and bonnets. The idea of his
getting me that bonnet how surprised he ]
would be to learn that | made ith