Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1884-11-08

q world OF dangers, often serves her SIS
well as the cautiousness of wisdom.
Meanness and cunning she seerned, and
the petty artlfce SO common in both
sexes was never found in her. Her
spirits were high and untamable-some-
times to wildness; but if unkindlv or
harshly rebuked, none so utterly sub
dued. Can you wonder, then, that /
watched over her tas # she were some
precious vessel sent out on a sea full of
rocks, quicksayds and whirlpools /
used often to pray that, be her lot in
life what it might be, she might ever
feel the balm of loving looks and kind
words
''And what was her lot in life, dear
grandmamma, and was she happy? Do
tell me all about her. Was she pretty ?"
She was not SO fair as her sister
Grace" continued grandmamma; "but
there was variety in the play Of her
features, and playfulness of manner,
which made her generally admired At
the age OF eighteen her hand was asked
in marriage by young merchant, Ar
thur Walforth, and before | was aware
of her danger her heart was his say
danger, because she was too young to
eLcounter the cares of married life, and
the uncertainties OF trade press heavily
on the wife of a merchant. She suffers
from the variation of her husbands s spir-
its, and she is highly favored woman
if his temper, too, do not suffer; and my
Agnes tender yet high spirit was, l
knew, ill-ftted for such trials Arthur
was an intelligent young man, of high
dealings. It was, however, his misfor-
| tune to have for a mother a weak and ir-
ritable woman, whom prosperity had not
improved. She was surrounded with
blessings but was constantly complain
ing, and as her education had not
strengthened her mind, nor watchful
sef-denial improved her heart, she was
likely to impress upon her sons mind a
very low opinion of all women. I, my
dear Grace, was honored by my husband
with his entire confidence, and tried to
return his trust by being indeed help
mate for him. If woman does not know
the state of her husbands affairs she is
defrauded of what is justly her due-the
privilege of advising with him and of
/ L. 70 70 4 ~
ly to all men. About year after Agnes
marriage the crisis occurred IN the COM
mercial world which laid many lofty
houses low. | often surprised Agnes in
tears, but she said nothing to me; and I
have always made it a principle not to
inquire into family secrets. l have seen
SO much evil from the well-meanlng but
| iil-iudged reluctance which many a
mother feels to give up to her daugh-
ter's husband, in good faith and sinceri-
ty, the secrets OF that daughters heart.
But one day my Agnes came to my
house and rushed upstairs to my bed
room. followed her and secured the
toor; and ] was then grieved to hear her
>ohbng bitterly and in an agony os
surrOw
''Can I give You any comfort or ad.
vice. my darling? Contide IN vour
mother and perhaps l may be able to
console you.
"'Oh. my husband. my husband
He has used NE cruelty; he has not
been open with me: he might have told
me the state Of his affairs. | am not a
child. could bear poverty. / could
live anywhere, and labor for him, as
many are obliged to do; but this crue'
reserve-oh, it will kill me .
"'Agnes. my child, answered, 'nows
Your time of trial. You know where to
look for strength. and oh. beware of a
rehellious spirit Strive 10 be patient
and tell me all Won fear
"'Our head clerk has just been to our
house, mamma, ami he tells me that his
master has gone to London, and his re-
turn is uncertain: and he has left re-
quest TO me that l will come ana stay
with you until his affairs are arranged
one way or other. / am more hurt by
his allowing me to learn all this from
stranger than shocked at his ruin;
for we are both young and may hope
for better times. But oh, mother, there
are many things which l might have
done without, and now the people will
suspect me of having known our cir
cunstances all along, and I shall have
the disgrace of being suspected of dis
honesty
'''Alas Agnes said, yours is q
common case. To woman of integrity
it is indeed sore trial to be thought Ca
pable of wronging any tradesnan; but
do not injure your health by this violent
grief. You are, whatever happens, our
dearly beloved daughter, and now, for
Grace's sake. and for your fathers and
mine, try to compose yourself.
/! 81 knew tha. this appeal to her fam