Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-01-11

' veg upon the accidental discovery that our
oone,Have ms snch ecstztic pleasure as t!r,se
stray . Lines IA a Wounded Wasp" which Gle
nentina resrued from the waste basket. We
eonid have wished the subject less ol,rntTrl
place, but We giad.y aeeepted the waif as an
augury Of future fame. We grew poetic our
selves, and could not refer TO Barbara without
introducing ''halos y vistas OF the future
etc, etc. We expected that she woaIt write
poems at least equal to Mrs. Browning of whom
one hears 10 nurh; and we even dared TO hope
vorite l.. r. l.. We forgave her every thing
when we saw her pursuing her solitary way to-
ssrd owieti- Hollow with q black portfolio in
her hands. We were careful never to iutrusie
spon her, and We long abstained from all aim
sion TO her new pursuit, for fear Of startling the
sensitiveness Of genius; but, when we found that
she was actuatl;f corresponding with publishers,
W. decided that II was time TO speak. The dear
girl. We said, must not be allowed 10 venture
upon the sea of literature without our sympathy
and support.
BY dint Of much maneuverins, Barbara was
drawn into the family assemblag &c to receive oar
eongr atulations, and our valuable advice about
a business in regard to which we had, indeed
no experience, but a great many opinions. Bar
bara came, when we invited her, the dignfisd,
unconscious simplicity Of genius in her mien.
We felt its spell, and our hearts beat high with
hope and pride One after another we rose
and kissed her. She looked little surprised.
but, rs We were an affectiOnate and demon
strative family. her surprise was Of short tfura-
ton. She returned our caresses cordially, and
took the scat we offered.
my dear niece" then said one whom we had
appointed sPokeswoman, '.we have respected
your secret; but we can no longer refrain from
oferlng our sympathy and assistance in your
present undertaking."
Barbara started from her seat, cOloring highly,
but Immediately sat down again, and laughed
rather nervOuslv.
"My dear aunts, my dear uncles, and cou-
sins, "she stammered, show very kind! For
give me-. did not mean-but you see, really, I
was afraid that you might disapprOve, and L
wished To make sure Of success before confidng
efforts, must succeed, and it win be 50 delight
full to have you participate In the-the-"
Barbara's mamma took her handkerchief from
her eyes, and kissed her daughter, murmuring,
at the same time, something about ''truc mo-
bility Of genius" which made Barbara blush.
Uncle Joseph, being man, scorned to APP
came Immediately to the point with the exor-
dunn: --1f. ~. an O. -.
"These publishers are 50 expensivel"
Barbara looked puzzled, the dear innocent.
Private subscriptions,-she began, but
Uncle Joseph interrupted: -
Tut -, int! child, my purse is at your COM
At this Barbara brighteped visibly.
Dear Uncle JOseph!o she cried, sit win be
your work, after all. PerAafs-it may grow
into an institution, and be called by your name"
This speech was rather enigmaticaI to us, but
We supposed that it referred to a dedication, and
Uncle Joseph, on account Of his wealth, did
could mot Barbara Rersei 1ore eo
herently? We painted TOR some tangible evil
denee or her right to future renown.
:. Dear Barbara, We cried, shave you de-
cided upon the title?"
% The title?'' she repeated, with dreamy
look that would have been exasperating if we
temperaments. "Ah, yes! understand. Thank
you for reminding me. really cannot decide.
] have not thought much about it. But you
We all disclaimed, yet we set ourselves to the
task forthwith.
There is SO much in a name, observed
az know it," said Barbara, thouehtfully;
"but am utterly at loss"
Hopes Treasury suggested Clementina,
who had been pickering her beautiful brows in
direful effort for the last three minutes.
us not that rather sentimental?' objected
Barbara, timidly.
"oh, yes;' exclaimed Georgiana. "Call it
Barbara looked extremely disconnected, but,
before she could say any thing, Drusilla cried:
IN nave IT! II must be called "The Gem"
breath; sit is too like An annual"
"Or a bar-room, - said Barbara, sand 1 am
sure that is the last thing desire it to resem-
1--WE will call it 'Barbara's Folly said I'm
Gle Joseph, facetiOusly. r..
Gle G aO
immediately:
"oh, spare me that, or Ishall think You mean
"why not call it plainly Poems by Barbara
Feathefedge?'n said Judith, who represented
the common-sense Of the Threcvits.
"WhAt do you mean?" cried Barbara.
"Why, BarLara9's we chorused, "your book
course" ~
Barbara put her hands to her head.
"GoOd Heavens" she cried; chow absurd"
"Nou've been corresponding with publishers
you know You have. Come! don't be silly, Bar
bare" we cried, rallying from the unexpected
can't deny that charge!''
al don't wish to deny it," said Barbara, al
have been corresponding with various publish
ing houses order 10 learn the easiest terms upon
sckieh could purchase books for a readiagroon That
Lam trysgt to establish for the benefit Of the iron
1t is fitting that this overwhelming announce
ment should be italicised. 1t came upon us like
the shock of an earthquake. Oh! OH! oh! oh!
that our Barbara, so richly eMlowed-musician
lineuist, painter, poet, and Threevit besides
should stoOp to civiize those iron-mill boys!
Why, it was said that they had actually waylaid
and sobSed people at night!
write poetry. There are your "Lines to a
Wounded Wasp" and if such q subject a. that
could inspire you
"a mere school-exercise," interrupted Bar
bara, quickly. 81 wonder who had the absur-
dity to rescue it from the waste-basket?'
"Then, in the name or pity" we entreated,
'what was the meaning Of that portfolio YOU
have been carrying for The last six weeks?''
"DO you think, ~ said Barbara, with flashing
eyes, that I was wasting my time writing
mediocre verses? I was teaching poor Martha
Payne to draw. She had extraordinary talent,
and needed only a little instruction. I never
did any thing in my life 30 satisfactory To my
self"
"Then you mean what you say about those
iron-mill boys?"
"Of course do"
Mrs. Featheredge wept outright; Uncle Joseph
cleared his throat ominOusly; we all remon-
strated loudly; but Barbara sat silent in way
We had come TO understand meant total defiance.
g. The scheme is utterly impracticable, Bar
bara, said ClemeBtinas 1T would be enOr-
mously expensive to do the thing in STYLE" (we
Threeyits believed i'm style.)
:" You you haven't counted the cost, !" said Jul
dith, grimiy.
Yes, j have" said Barbara "I have lain
awake many night counting the cost"
:" There'll be the rent, plaintively objected
Mrs Featheredge, to whom this had always
been a vital question.
.. Tony Roberts will let me have room at six
dollars month";" said Barbara, with BUSH
ness-lke air.
THAT'S sixty-three dollars a year." said Gle
mentina, recklessly.
beg your pardon" returned Barbara; sit
is seventy-two dollars"
NEARLY a hundred dollars! o Barbara
groaned Mrs. Featheredge; 'and your income is
80 small"
Then there are lghts!" said one.