Year: 1860

sent II TO the publisher OF leading Jour
nal, and in less than II week come my answer
IL was cautious enough, not oyer-commenda-
tory: "Wellwrtten, somewhat wanting in
polish--a common fault with inexperienced
writers-should be pleased to receive an occa-
sional contribution from your pen, for which
we shall pay you two dollars per column"
Nc, &c.


This way my day of small beginnings, but it
witnessed more than one tear Of 10y as clasp
ed to my very heart the first six dollars Of my
own earning


My small bedroom in the cottage was well
enough, though window, walls, and aoorwere
bare the widows coarse fare was at least
wholesome; She herself was gentle, mothery
and good determined 10 remain with her
for the present and then, in good earnest, my
work began, The money that received for
the first story, and others, sent at stated inter
walls, supported me just eighteen months. At
the close ofthat period, my book was issued
No flourish Of trumpets had preceded II no
tricks Of advertising were used to bring it into
notice, no authors name appeared on the title
page; and yet it was received with favor


| used to laugh over the reviews and notices
of II, q could afford to laugh now y as sat in
my little bare room, miles away from the city
II
said that no goman ever wrote the book; II
was too severe, too satri cal and beaides, there
we're things therein that only a man would
have dared to write Others said that there
were touches Of poetry and pathos on almost
every ppge, thnt only wOmaifs subtle genius
and gentle heart could have conceived And
So between the contending parties, was like
ly to remain, for the prosont iRoognito.


Nothing could have exceeded the seclusion
Of my life for the year and a half just passed
had seen the villagers when going TO- and
returning from church, but Mrs Mcdonald
was the only person ] knew. More than a
twelve month ago, Elspeth had made US
brief visit of farewell Her masters family
we're then on the eve of their departure from
America, and she, the faithful servant and
humble friend, was 10 accompany them. The
change was made on account of little Rose
who was fading like snow-wreath, the good
creature said, with iast-dropphg tears, This
was the last heard of them, until one day in
July soon after my book was Published, as
sat on the doorstep reading, a shadow fell up
on the page, and, looking up | saw Elspeth
standing ut the gate holding Virginia by the
hand Both were clad in deep mourning, Lit
tic Rose aud her beautiful mother we're dead
and Mr. Torney had sent home his only re-
naming child aud her nurse, under the care
Of a friend choosing himself to travel farther
East, before returning.


Elspeth had brought me letter from him
It was brief aud had u tone of authority which
pleased while it vexed me. 1t was his wish
that ! should take charge of Virginias educa-
ton during his absence, which might be pro-
longed number OF years, and he finished by
naming the salary he should give was very
glad that he had this confidence in me very
glad that | could show him how grateful /
was for his past kindness to me and there
fore made no objection to his arrangement
but returned on the following day with Virgi
MIA Elspeth and Mrs. Mcdonald to Elmwood


/ had lived poorly enough for a couple of
years past, but il did not follow that / had
lost my taste for the beautiful in consequence
On the contrary, ] entered the fine old man
sion with feelings Of almost infinite satisiac-
ton Here was everything to charm the eye;
beautiful pictures, groups of graceful and
rare statuary, and for the intellect, n choice
and valuable library; but the room | loved
best was the little, plainly-furnished study, on
the first floor This chose for my own; here
wrote, sitting at the very table where had
last seen Max Torney, using the same ink
stand and even exchanging my own ivory pen
stem for one Of wood that ! found in an
empty drawer, because of the fingers that
once had clasped it, Oh, yesl know it was
very foolish, but then l had only the wisdom
of nineteen years.


Another year of months slipped away, and
in our quiet household there had been no ma
terial change The little girl Virginia, grew
in stature in beauty and IN knowledge; she
had only her fathers eyes, the rest Of her
face was strlingly like her mothers. / al
ways kept her with me in the morning, but
after our ono clock dinner Elspeth or Mrs
Mcdonald took her in charge, and shut my
self in the study to write-often until mid
night This incessant mental labor wore upon
my strength more than i was aware felt
perfectly we'll but Elspeth discovered in my
flushed cheek, and unhaturally brilliant eyes,
symptoms of incipient disease.


"You must 60 off pleasurng, Miss Beat
rice, slle insisted, until ! was weary Of the
contest 'Your face is as thin as hatchet,
ard you've only two spots Of red inyour cheeks,
If you go on at this rate you'll soon be in
your grave"


1t was to relieve this good woman's anxiety
that locked up the study and set out ON a
tour to the White Mountains


Thither fully intended to go, on the morn
ing when ] kissed Virginia and bade Elspeth
and her sister good bye; but on my way TO the
railroad station, my courage failed. had
not outgrown my old dread Of the cars, and
then the idea of solitary pleasure trip was
any thing hut agreeable So dared to brave
the raillery Of my good friends, and the same
carriage that took me to the station carried |
me back to Emwood | was never sorry for
it, for that very night Max Torney came
home violently sick, Three weeks Elspeth |
watched beside him, and then came the glad
words of hope from the grave old doctor, "He
will liyel"


After that, was able to minister to his
comfort and happiness, ! cannot say that he
was very patient invalid, for, although Max
Torney approaches my Ideal more nearly than
any other man, he is by no means perfect;
but it was pleasant task to read or sing, or
talk, or be silent, as he chose,


II was in those days of convalescence-
those golden dreamy September days, that ]
read to him my own book My heart was in
my throat when began and | had much ado
to keep my voice even, but az | went on, !
forgot my dread of his praise or blame, forgot
almost that he was listening, so perfect was
my sympathy with the heroine Of the stony
aud so vivid my recollection of every crcum-
stance that had occurred while / was writing
it, When | closed the volume, Max Torney
asked


t'Who wrote that book, leAtFioeg


"fhe authors name is not given sir"
replied, unhesitatingy and with considerable
assurance.


lie reached out his hand for it, and with