Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1878-08-15
WHO KNOW Sc

window that cohlden't sleep. The
moon was still in the sky, but a
yelled yet luminous splehder in the
Cast told that the day was breaking
the day of June that began my
tweh.y-seventh year. When ! say
that l was a woman, and add that
l was unmarried, and, worst of all,
that / had lost for good the requisite
energy that [ held forth any prom
Use in that direction, twill natural
| ly be thoiight that shall make but
a sorry heroine /; and it is Just be-
cause of these discouraglng facts
that I want to jot down this little
experience of a day as a sort of
consolation to that suffering part
of my sex who have latent hopes,
long lingerinss, unfulfilled, at times
at the last grasp, then Pickering up
again with sickly tehacity most
painful to contemplate. But who
knows what day may bring forth ?
Who knows?
| went about on tiptoe, not to
awaken mamma ; and l took it as a
piece of ingratitnde that when she
carrie down to breakfast, and began
to enjoy the toast | had SO nicely
Drowned for her, and to sniff the
fragrance of bunch OF honey suck
les that I had scrambled for at the
risk of sprained ankle aud the
cost of shower of morning dew
upon my clean calico-I thought it
mean of mamma to begin about
church festival before the day had
fairly begun.
'I'th 50 glad it's fine weather;
Jane, said mamma, with great ur-
baity OF tone and manner. Il
thought I'd get mp early, so that
you coulG reach the church in good
reason and | wouldn't waste any
flowers in the house, dcat--I'd keep
them all for your table.
'Ycu know very well, niamma,' l
replied; that Tn not going to have
a table. I've served my apprentice.
ship at tables. Long ago, when l
was young and fair ] wore white,
With THY hair curling about itiy slioril
der, and had the flower table, and
enjoy ed it. Later on, l put my hair
up; and had fancy table, and en-
tlhred it with great resignation
Last year | had recourse to a switch
to exc ont my scanty locks, and was
compelled reluctantly to take the
post office: This year shan't have
anything f.; in fact, mamma, Pm not
going to the festival
Mamma put down her bit of toast,
and turned absolutely pale.
Not going to the festival 3 she
echoed; ttiournfnlly.
mo, mamma,' l said, beginning
already to plead my case. 'Can't l
have one birthday to myself? Pm
twenty seven years old today
ooh, hush, Jane,' said my poor
mother. You scream SO, the Hun
tiers neat door will hear you, and
blurt it all over the place. I'm not
deaf. II You choose to give up all
chance Of society; and neglect your
Christian duties; and refuse to help
the church along; why, of course, [
have nothing to say, only l must
in that case go myself
you z | cried. you'll be sick
for month afterward; you have
not been able to do any thing OF
that kind tor years.
Il know it, Jane ; but If you re-
fuse to do these things, [ must: ]
know [ shall be prostrated with the
heat, and yon are young and strong,
and still attractive enough to compete
and my nerves will be shattered,
with any young lady in the place
and might; l verify believe; if you
we're not SO obstinate and head
strong, be surrounded and admired
as yott used to be, and you might
for my sake, Jane; at least attend
these little entertainments
Mamma put her handkerchief to
her eyes; and l yielded groaneC
in flesh and spirit, but l yielded
After [ had tidied up the work
and settled mamma in tho COO
shady sittlng-rooni, Upon her fa-
vorite lounge, with nice book al
her hand, and palm-leaf fan close
by-for the day was growing hot
Il twisted up my hair before tn,
glass, with many a sour mockin;
grimace at the dark, thin; discon:
tented face therein, put on an ugly
brown linen dress; Galabash of /.
nat aud went off to the church..
My mother looked after rfie witt
. stitch misery in her face that cal
led to her I would wear something
nice In the evening.
sWill you wear yottr rose-color
ed Grape 2 pleaded mamma.
will | wear spangles, and juh
through d h6opq' said. No, ma
ma I'll wear my black silk
: <And curl yotlf hair q she eoa&et