The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1878-02-19

IOu have no taste tor writing; wha'
are your hobbies ?" queried Emma, III
a kindly tone, at 'he same time drawing
her chair near her husband.
ga social game Of whist, n mint-ju.
lep, and the like, kill time pretty well
with me, Emma"
"And are not altogether innocent,
Herbert, for with them miugles vice.
Writing is harmless pastimc, and,
when pei fectly free from ble,nish, it clc-
Yates the mind, aud adds to the intel
lectual principles Of humanity
THAT may be true; but, the fact is,
I never liked literary women, nor never
SHALL" continued Herbert.
"Indeed ~ replied Emma, little
piqued.
II make one exception"
"And that is whom 2"
The writer bearing the nom de
plume of Celestia. Most lady writers
are always straiuing at subjects that
they know nothing about; but Cclestia
has proven with her pen that she is q
sensible woman"
At the termination Of Herbert S
speech, Emma trembed visibly; she
knew not what to say-shc too had read
"Celcstia's" productions, and was in
tcrested in their purport. At that mo,
ment Baby Nelly was awakened and
demanded attention from the young
mother, who there and then made i
firm resolution never to write in her
husbands presence again.
Tiue passed, and Herbert had be-
come estranged; he did not love home
as he should. A morbid melancholy had
settled over the better part Of his ma
turc, aud he endcavored to demolish its
reign by spending his evenings abroad.
The cloud of languor that drapcd
Emma's hitherto happy spirits was
not On assuming Of deceit. She
was sorely troubled, and grew weary
Of her husbands late return home
on each successive evening; were it not
for her passionate love for writing, how
drearily and slowly would glide the
wheel Of time She thanked the ALI
wise for bestowing upon her the treas
ured gift that she possessed, that she had
fortunately been reared in the bounds OF
civilized enlightened country, having
around her the advantages OF culture.
One night, Herbert entered with
clothes dripping in water, having been
caught in heavy rain. Emma has.
tened to prepare dry garments fer her
husband, and performed numerous other
acts Of kindness.
81 expected to find you asleep, little
wife," said Herbert In kind voice.
Doubtless you did; but | can not
sleep when you are absent, If | were 10
try"
IF you cannot sleep while l am alb.
sent, why don't you amnsc yourself by
writing? You used to be very fond ol
it,"
"Ah you DO not like literary wo
men, and you shall not be displcased
By Gudiug me at the desk, . said Euma
leaving Herbert ignorant Of the fact
that she had been writing.
Herbert smiled reluctantly; he vel
remembered his words. and would fam
recall them; for, anything in reason, he
thought, Ito amuse Emma" while he
and his comrades were in the height ol
hilarity.
Night passed, and the rosy dawn
was breaking in the east. Knowing
hat Emma had left her couch, Herbert
9xclaimed,-
"What are you doing up SO early,
Emma ?'
Attending to Nelly" was the young
wife's reply. But she did not mention
that previously she had been writing.
Weeks and months glidcd into
eternity, and Herbert Claylaud enjoyed
the realization of another birthday. He
had been away the greater part OF the
day, mngling with his friends in town
Late At evening he returned. ami, on
entering the door, observed Emma
turning the leaves Of blue bound
book
"Anothcr trashy novel to take W
your tine said Herbert, with a re-
proving scowl upon his brow. And
leaving the room abruptly, he braced
his chair against the broad trunk Of al
aged apple.,ree, and pulled his ha'
down over his ey|s in a morose mood.
This is your birthday present
said Emma. kindly, as she approache,
her husband, presenting the book.
81 do not care for it ~ Was the gruf
response.
However, he opened the book, ant
saw before hun, Poems and Sketches
By Eluma C!ayland,"
did you write this, Emma :"
"Yes -
"Fooli>h child. You have ruinet
YOURSELF"
"Why 50? Explain y
"You have copied from Celestia."
IL an Cc'csta, dear husband, my ar
ticlcs frs, appearing in periodicals un
der the nom de plume, aud next as yo'
sec them before you
"'yhy did you not tell Inc this"
''You do not like literary women
consequently kept it a secret fro"
you