Newspapers / Southern Weekly Post (Raleigh, … / Jan. 27, 1855, edition 1 / Page 1
Part of Southern Weekly Post (Raleigh, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
i ' . P M . . ' L.I I I 1V1UI.UI D. COOKE, PBSPBIETOR. AiN INDEPENDENT FAMILY NEWSPAPER. TERMS, TW DOtliSS til ASKII; Bcimtctr to all tje Bn tmsts of - Ejje Souti), Citcraturi, out afton, multute, 3tos, tfjc JfomMz, &c. WHOLE NO. 164 VOL. IV (). 0. RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 1855. """" " .1 ; - s -r I i a. eJ Ui l,at rii J ihe ce the. rl" lit d r, d tlie , l. cij iitier- SELECT POETRY. THE RAINY DAY- BY O. W. LUNOFELLOW. Tlic day is -old, and d.uk and dreary; Itrain. and the .wind is never weary," The vine istill clings to the mouldering wall, But at every gust the dead leaves faL Mj life is cold, and d;irk and dreary ; it rain-;, and the wind is never weiiry; My thoughts still cling to the mouldering past, But the hopes of youth fall thick ip the bla-t. And the days are dark and dreary. Be still s:id lieart ! nndcease repining; Behind .he clouds is the sun still sljii ing; Thy f'te is the common fate of :;tl, Into cachlife some ruin must full, Sonie.days must be dark and dreary. mmm stories. -zz,- .,-;v- Fr"m Putnam's Magazine. MY HUSBAND'S MOTHER. It was the tnorn'ng afu r Helen's wedding, and I stood in the lare ;ir!or, now so still and -breath'?, where ot.l,- the veiling before iiM'n v word' mm 1 light l.iujhter had r--echoed, 1 li.-.iii for th- fir-tjiiiMe to realize that Helen ha I "one. . I thr' v me!?on ib'-sofa near the cnerva- i torv, tlie in4 ';d "ii with suv.-t purf'uiiie, swept j over 111 V- cheek' MS I piille ! I C shape, and assuming an easy pO: ' ' s ' ; ion. prop:tre i i'i nenrir ' in a favorite mm ui-nt ot mine,. dav- :r- iiiii'i' Mv tltotig'its ri-ve'i'-d t the .'isiant. jiat. and t he ccn sjif m v cl:i'dli-H.l carne vividly bef -re me. I eemed to sie mv own (pi e! liiine, my IT o " m ther bending over-h'r Sew'ing. as she . .ti.1 was wtui to iio trom eailv mo n ' tin' late eveu:ng,.ev.'r c'lei rfui, ever busy until she siek- ene i a.111 died. The b ati! bed ! How well 1 'remember it? . IL-r .last fond embrace :m.J 'Jter fast falling tear, -r.s she lav on the lowly bed, her thin ha ul its' ing ii tae white counterpane, and t!i- v liii eii'ta a s Vowing out gently into the w 1M i ii ', .liii'.ie' her i'al.' che k. " : - 1 . . i i io M - E -an -t od bv 'he 'bedside w.-ep- . . , ; iii l.itr r ;.n ri it' i.-uinff i er immnse to follow I . . 1 . ; the di eeti eis .(: m mo In r c .&. rmug me. 1 OMV in ill) :e ii-' 1 1 1 a i n. tuniuei iu 1 i d--i that ii. v mother was. to leave me, an-1 -clung .t l.er nan-:, :uoK;ng at ner voiebi tuiiv . How V011M I Tin w ha -i e was o die! I had s", 11 s-'ck s i manv lime, and knew oi lit llj uh.a;. leath vv as'! 1 vv;-.ieh d -he; a lie bre n be I fainter and faiuM-r. !ier ev s ;'JJ t'te while H1 on me with a loving ej:esi 11 shut I cat. u-.ver fo'get. Heaven v Ftth ':." she l.'i-eaVi.ed, " to thee I cmiMiiit mv c! i!d '' ...Her el-p.t" my hand .tightened, th n lei XC'1. and a I a- over. Aga'n I th-uihi ot'tije time whe , I ha-! firt extend lbese ro nis, v n.iaj!sr strongly ..wi h the low w;,lls and simple f ruitiue of mv cottage home, that I wa almus dazled and I know not wiiiei i to admire 1110-t tue ir. ssed in j si ks, and laces,- to whom I wa- pr seuted, or i th v eleanc that 'uiaoand d her. I wa half 1 .. . . 1 1.1 'I atiau ot mv aim-, t.u ne cias;.ea m in net 1 1 1- . 1 ... ' ' - ... . : : . 'wartii ei no -a e. tia 1 siii' iner irg me 111 i:er ; euonii"iis sleeve as she pressid me in i.ei j ai 111. i iV 1 b l'eve she would a ive wept over me, but j ui f rtuaa civ, is sh" he d me oil-to look hi me, mv I g h .ir h iviue got entangle I 111 any num b r of . : a ns wi io is ilept-n ed from her net.k mv un tied expr .--io 1 wa- so far r. moxed. from f n.'.hiag j a:h- tc, sii. bur-; into a tit of laugh ter. I (' r mv ' ill, fe't more ijK'iine'j to cry, a my tiiu'le wjio tood by ca no t- toe fescu--: at. Jei gth. i;h t ie aid t' scissors, I was Separa te d from my aunt with the !.-- of a l.tile ifinv abundant hai -, ' - au i . I b ubt injt since I have kllOAii iK'tt l, ef 1 V.'H preity lutle spechot welcwiii,; id-o w h .c.v a,e luvJ prepari d to de Ivor. (Jo tl Mr. E a-'-, who hid broight me to B iston, was tr .ted .-, itlt every po--ible atten tion.' and on p-iitiag wish me th nexi day. as -he was to re: am t i er horn-, a ur d me that 1 'wa- in good hands, for mv :ostnV !o!k that ever was. .1 w is soon fail iv I 1 -d, and mv -a Jies- .'whic . I had !e;e!inwi"d n -y.-r :.. g t ..v r, ;e 'iu'g.a- if auv ee-ation oi gi-t d n te 1 a ;.ek ot' 'art c'i 'ii f 'T mv 111 aiier, gradu dis van.-h' ii t e . fj'e tlie bi ght siiii e and meiry cha of n four c u-i -. Tlie two eldeies ..avn.g ian-Ai-e their .education, had come out", an ! poti,-. lides and other aiim-. liiea s.tb l oed each o.h r i i q i ck slice- ssion. - M iggiV, II-th' aiil I w ere stili school girls, bii! vet .mat McLe 1 m al.wwed us to join occa - oi, I in ride-, and to m dee our; apj earam e at .-m ti, s cial'p'r ie which we enjoy ed heartily. Our'h .i.se was always thronged wnh com pa- iiy, nn Vnvy au..t l.ci seli' w; theiHte of our ;,ar- li s ( pleasure. Mv nncle, a -tu lions a:id resved man, pass- ed mot ot his ii.no in his stuiy. and s . long as he wasal oAed o rem a n i' un iitur!.ed poss s - sion of licit ' room, c .red little h w his f.mily ' spent th f:r' tinv-, 'f ihe were only; happy. . Sove;U pass dot amino shadow dimmed the -h-.shi !' 'h it haimy h us bol l tilt -:eatli i t ed. My uncle, af.cr a short a .d severe il n ss died." My aunt was inconsolable ; in fact we w ere all oveiwLi'l.ined . jtL- 'grief- Death we knew must come to all, but we had never drained that it would me so soon, so suddenly, and that my uuc'e, in thepridaof matily vigor, must go down to the narrow grave. We felt at first as people always do, that we e'Uld never be happy again. We mourned for my uncle reilrimttyst fciorissi'aDvKre the old homestead was as gay as ever.' i - V' . v-;-' The death of my uncle had brought to light the fact that we were no longer wealthy. My aunt's large fortune had melted, no one knew how or Where, but it iiad gone. .We were poor. I do not know what my aunt would have done, if stringing poverty had come upon us ; fir f.!i real zed nothing of its evils, and the anouiicemeut of the ftct of her situation did not trouble her in the least : she was spared ( the painful ta k of endeavoring to satisfy the ex pensive habits wiih inadequate means ; for an oiiiuiiiie oi tiers seuieu upon ner an annuity tor her litetime. Upon thi-, she lived just as ever, gratifying eviry pivsent wish, with but one thought for the titurc. : The loss of her property seemed to have pro iuci d tjut 'one lesult, that of making her anx ious io settle her daughters F ell in marriage, and very soon b th Charlotte and Lizzie were disposed of. Both ma rrird' wealthy men, both made "good matches," as they are called. Tni.s w,a somewhat to our surpiise ; for Char- lot-e hud nothini; but her never faiiitiff jrood hamor la attract ; for she was positively plai i ; yet her husb.Mid was considered 'one of the greatest catches" in town. , L zzie was very talented, and had always tn-ated the common herd as quite beneath her not: e bit' he married a silly fellow, with noth ing but his good look and his wealth to recom mend him; what was stronger than all, she al most adored him, gave him credit for all the r'liiant remarks that she made in conversation, and finally cheated herself and some others, her hu -band among the number, into the belief that he was a man of fine mind, who had never be fore been appreciated. Mieoi Helen and L heincr left soon fmmd . ' , , e . . , , . ti. at our only chance ot resting quietly depended , , , , on l mac at !e ist, eneraged. ... ". , , j.i . 1 1 1 1 -i 1 Maggie dec ar.-d ihat s!ie had a decided voca- . .... - , , , , , - ti nt for the lite ut an old maid, and absorbed in hcrwii4nir-ui(s, scarcely thought of marriage ; .1 ai 11 1 11 . 1 . aifd Mr. Carroll, a bachelor, of good fortune, ; presenting himself as a suiter, she resolutely j piesi-ted in objecting all his attentions. j My aunt and he were equally determined that she sh urd -marry him : and after a long and vig ious -eige, the' fortress, surrenndered. Maggie bei arne Mrs. Carroll. lie len and I had enjoyed tolerable quiet du-b g the skirmish; but it was now our turn. As II -lien was t hi beauty of the family, my aunt had d cided that she was to make the grand match. Indetd, she had admirers by s.-ores. J She sang and danced w ith the gay young gen A emeu, played w hi-t and talked po itics, or, what is 11101 o strictly true, listened to po. itics with the el-ieily ones, was the wildest and mer-rie-t in aii pirttes of pleasure, the kindest in sickne-s, the most benevolent to the poor of ; all ..ut ci c e ; and with all iVse charms mar ried a p or minister, to Aunt McL Han's infi nite 'iisgust. it r-qu red a goo'd deal of strategy to win her con-i nt, an I not mitil vi.-sions of her daughter, as toe Wi e of ;he light Reverend Bishop Wil 111 't, wh ch I conjured up, as in the future, had, bom my glowing representations, assumed iu her m. ud all tue vividness of reality, did she yiel !. It w as now the day al'ter"the wedding, and Aunt M Lei land had acted the part of a 1 ii g mother, which she really was to perfec tion. - ; ' Sae wa- in her element, during the whole progre.-s of a wedding, from the preparatory process of making garments of all sorts, shapes and sizes, to the last embrace in the presence of admiring friends as the bride left home for the Medd ng to;.r, on which our mother always in sisted as quite necessary to the proper union kf the parties as the words spoken by the per son. ' Here am I, th?n, left alone," I half said, aloud, concluding my reverie : and, starling up I snatched my duster, which had . fallen from mv baud and began to wipe some stray partic les of dust Irom the polished rosewood of the piano; then running my fingers over the keys, I began t sing a simple melody. Verv well done, Sibvl," said my aunt, who j had eritel'vd tli,e roo:n un perceived, and now j -t od bv my si ie. " But now come up to my j chamber ; I want to talk to you." I fo lowed her to her room, and took my u-ual sea:, a low' rocking chair by the win- dow. j A f w common place observations followed, ; on the wedding, and I watched for the sab- jjuto . which she wished to speak. At last it j'com ;. j " l you see Dr. Carter last night T. ' j 44 D. Carter," I mused. "Really, I saw so j many s rangers, can hardly tell ; .but I dare ' say 1 did. I think I d remember a tall dark ; man who wa intrixluced to me as Dr. Home- ui:n i aiau i u ar wiiat ; you know pe-.pleal- ways mumble over an introduction, as if that was a very unimportant matter. .Wed, what of him!" u That I am commissioned to offer you his heart and hand." I was amazed; " To me ?" at last I gasped. " Yes my dear ; it was a case of love at first sight." I burst into a fit of laughter, for sud denly all our conversation flashed upon in e ' - "My dear Auniie,"said t, vou must be joking. The . , ' v. - ----- w only words that we exchanged were which" I assented. I remarked on the feautv of the bride to which he assented. I am sure that this was all our conversation," and again I began to laugh. " Laugh, then, if you will, you silly girl," at last interrupted my "aunt, evidently provoked. " It is so. I assure you, and he is a very fiue man, of whose admiration you ought to feel proud. He is rather eccentric." " So I should think," interrupted I. " What shall I say to him ? " asked my aunt. 41 Whatever yoq choose, so that he may un derstand that I mean no," was my replv. " You are certainly the most provoking girl in the world ! " exclaimed Aunt Mi Leilan. 44 To be sure, he is not very lich : but he has a good practice, which is on the increase, and what do you expect ? you, who have neither leauty nor fortune to attract admirers? Now, here is a man, as good a one as I could select for my own daughter, a better hu-band ihan Helen's wiihall her attractions, and yet you ostensibly refuse to see him, even.' 'Very wed ! I wi iLee him,' replied Land subsid ed b.to sii. nee. My Mint rose and left the room ver)- wisely, and I very ioo'i-hly went to a mirror to see w hat there whs iu my appearance to -warrant one's fall ing in love with me at, first sight. Tiie greatest vanity would not allow me to think myself handsome, but I did feel a little flattered, m veitheless. "I will see this man,'' I resolved. 44 He must be rather weak, and since he is so much in love, lean uat him as I please." So I pleased myself with imagining the cool dignity and grac-- of manner with which I would conduct myself during the interview. It came at last. Dr. Carter was announced. As I entered the parlr,. a tall dark man rose to meet me. He took my hand kmdly, but none of the embarrassment or ardor that I had anticipated and leading me to a seal began in a calm and quiet niai.u r to teli what I already knew, thai he had been attracted to me and to explain hi- reason for his abrupt declaration of it. Hi, views with regard to so called engage- ments were jni:e didereut from those of the genera'iiy of people, he said. It w;.s his idea that the lie thu- f ruied should not be consider ed :is so binding that withdrawal from it should be reg tided as dishonorable to either party. It was the only way, he thought, that two people cdu'd arrive at thai intimate knowledge of each other's character, which was nece-sary to insure happiness in a unioi for life; and when an en jagem'ent w-is formed it should be considered merely that the parties entering into it, having been attracted to each other, did so for the pur pose of knowing mure of each other. If the re sult of that know iedge was mutually pleasing, well and good. If not, let the acqua:ntance end without any hard feeling, content to remain ftiends, if nothing more. Having tims explained his views, he asked me if I were w filing to engage myself to him, adding that his duties required his presence at home immediately, and he must ask a speedy decision. While he had bcu talk ng, I had been re-peat-ng to myself, "Cm this man be in L.ve with me?" li s cool manner of making love, If so if might be called, was quite different from any thing to w hich I ha 1 been accustomed. But I liked him i.eveTthel ss. I felt prov. ked to think that I should be so easily won, if f coseuted, and I knew too that he was a man not to be trifled with, and that I must, at once say i e or no. 44 Yes," 1 did not want to say : 44 No," still less. I was conscious that I appealed to a far greater disadvantage than he, as I sat looking at ihe flow, rs in the carpet, at, my feet 4- Have you decided I " asked the Doctor, as I looked up. 44 Ye,'' I lep ied. " And how ? " continued he, not eagerly, but as if it were ihe mo-t common piace question iu the world. " Ves,"' agitin I leplied, " and I hope that neither of us wid have cause to iepent my has ty d cisioii." . : 44 1 hope not," he replied gravely, and said no inoie. Not a word of the protestations that I iiad expected, not a word of love. He immediately changed the sul jfet and be gan talking of, I hcr.ily kn..w what, but in an easy unembai aassed manner, for cearlv an hour. He then took leave of me, saying that he would se me again before he left, which must be on the next day, and that he would write me mmediately on his return home. I was very romantic, and this cool way of wooing was not just to my taste, but after Dr. Carter left me the oddity of the thing struck me more forcibly aud I was rather better pleas ed. His letters, whi. h were tolerably frequent, were kind, and friendly. He, said iittle of his prospects in life, aud re membering that my aunt had said 44 lie was not rich." I concluded that be was roor. This idea suited me, and I used to build all sorts of air-castles as to how I would work for and with him, in our quiet little home. I be carne more and more attached to htm, and re ally felt quita anxious to begin a life of toil for his sake. A year passed rapidly away, and at the end of that time ! had. became Mrs. Doctor . Carte rT I will pass over all the detar of th wedding, 7 We were neither married in? a care,. nor on a mountain; in a picture gallery, nor under Niag ara Falls. All was commonplace in the extreme. ,The same responses were uttered by the bride and groom, the same remarks made by admiring friends. Even poor and homely I was pronounced 41 a beautiful bride," and if I may credit pie same authorities, ,4the groom appeared ranarkably well," also. Even my aunt's termination to tie-wedding festivities, a wedding tour was wanting, unless the journey of fifty miles by railroad U my new home, may pass for that, for Dr. Carter coti d not leave his duties for pleasure. . i I could hardly realize, as I was whirled aloiig behind the snorting locomotive, that I had be ii come a wife, and when I stole a glance at my husband, who sat by my side reading the Sctl ptl, I certainly thought that he was far from ( u ly appreciating the importance of his uewly in quired position. 1 44 Binghampton !" shouted the conductor, pop ping his head in at the car door and disappear ing as suddenly. I My husband rose. 44 Here we are," said !ie, as he gathered up my carpet bag, shawl and veil, and led the way. '.o the depot. j Away whizzed the panting steam-engine, atid I stood 'ii the platform by the side of the bag gage. Presently the Doctor led me to a car riage, and a few moments' ride brought us jto my new home. ; I baa pictured tomvself a cottage enbouered in trees, situated on a sloping hill, as my future home ; but no ! a stately brick home stared pie in the face, and so there was an end to my day dreams of love in a cottage. I dare say I looked disappointed, for I felt o on entering the parlors, where nothing was want ing that money could piocure. ' Does it please you ?" asked my husband.!: "Oh yes '. " I replied, though I told a bit of a story ; then, in a lower tone, I added 44 that I always ihoug!i4 physicians were poor." Dr. Carter laughed and assured me that he j j,ud IK t tal;en me from a good home without having the means of supplying an equally good one in its place. So there was an end to a second of my d iy dreams, that of working for his sake, of sacrific ing my tastes that I might minister to his, in short, of becoming a heroine in some way - I hardly knew how. h I pleaded fatigue and went to my room, j; Tiie air of comfort that it wore provoked me, and I shed tears as my future prospects rose be fore me. jj I was to settle down as a' respectable married woman, nothing more. j I, who had inv gined that my wedding day was to usher in a series of unparalleled tiials and exertion, through which I was to pass tri umphantly, 44 winning golden opinions from all sorts of people." There had been no romance in my engage ment, theie was none in store for me. But these heart-rending reflections were in terrupted by steps on the stair-case. I ha-tily washed my eyes, and tried to look cheeiful when my husband came in, and reallv I was atoui hed to find how soon I regained mv composure, and how soon I forgot in his conver sation on books and authors as he showed me his extensive and well arrauged library, the dis agreeab'e fact that he was rich. He had just taken down a copy of Young's Night Thoughts, which I hastily threw a-ide, declaring 44 that I hated Young, that there was not a word of poetry in his whole book, and that I would give more for three of Byron's poorest lines than for four hundred vohunes of such ter ribly prosaic thoughts put into the blankest of blank verse," to all of which he was listening with a smile, 44 when the rustle of a silk dress starteled us both." My husband sprang from my side and pre sented me to the stately lady, his mother. He had often spoke of his mother, and I had imagined that she would meet me at the door, clasp me in her warm embrace, calling me her child, an J praying for ray happiness. I had ofien pictured to myself a very pretty tableau of this kind, but as I saw nothing of her on my arrival, I had coucluded that she was absent. She had, I judged from her appearance, spent the time which had elapsed in making her toil etts, and 1 should have ventured to en brace Pouipey's pidar as to clasp that stately dame in my arms. In fact she seemed as far from expecting any such demonstration. I took her offered hand, and replied to her comments on the weather in as polite aud frigid a tone as she herself used. I knew at once that whatsoever her son might have done,she was far. from falling in love with me at first sight, and I was equally sure that my feelings towards her would not come under the head unrequieted affection. Tea was soon announced, and, as if I were a guest, she led the way to the tea table, gave me a seat ly the side of my husband, and took Ler place at the head of the table. My cheeks flushed a little at this summary mode of. disposing of me and my new dignity. 1 ne'er was ambitious of the duties of presid ing officer at any post, particularly of the oner ous ones devolving on the occupant of the post of honor at table, and would most willingly have .resigned in favor of Madam Carter, had I the empty " distmctionof tui abdication,, efn if it were a forced one offered me. I said noth ing. But, underneath all my mother-in law's scru pulous politeness towards me, I discovered the fact, that she was jealous of me, and determined to yield nothing to me, If this is a declaration of war, I am ready," thought I, as I took very quietly my cup of tea. As weeks passed, I found that hei tactics con sisted principally in assuming a patronizing manner towards me. She very kindly assumed the task of enter taining the ladies who called on me, and on their departure, informed me to whom 1 should pay the greatest attention. One lady, in particular, she had warned me against, and, though not very favorably impress ed by Mrs. Bryan on her first visit, as I saw it annoyed Madam Carter, I called on her quite soon. She returned my visit speedily. I soon found that she sung well, and very readily complied with her request that we should learn duties to gether. So that we soon struck up quite an in timacy. My husband's time was very much occupied, and he gave himself no concern whatever about my acquaintances. This did not please me. In fact I should have infinitedly preferred the most rigid surveillance to the cool indifference which he displayed. I began to imagine that he did not love me and determined to prove him. I had imagined that w here love existed there must be .perfect sympathy between husband and wife, in all their varying moods, but when I was moody he took no notice of it, when I was gav, he smiled indeed, but that was all ; in fact, he was always the same calm, cheerful and practi cal, and I therefore drew the very logical con clusion from my premises that he did .not love me. 44 Will nothing rouse him ?" I asked myself, and my evil genius repliejd : 44 If yon could only make him jealous," and I resolved to try the ex periment. Opportunity was not long wanting. Mr. Canning, a brother of Mrs. Bryan, came to, pav his sister a visit. She introduced him at once to me, and I found him-. both handsome, talented and agreeable ; he appeared to find me equally interesting, and began to show me con siderable attention. I enlarged en his attractions both 'of mind and person, to my husband, he only yawned in reply ; but my mother-in-law looked on his fre quent visits with far different eyes. Mr. Canning was not slow to perceive Madam Carter's dislike for him, or my dislike to her, and though never ungentlemanly, it was evident that he would not pay her that marked defer ance which she demanded of her acquaintance. She had not as yet expressed her disapproba tion of Mr. Canning, as, in fact, she could bring nothing positive against him. One night, however, when we had been at a party w here Mr. Canning had been as close an attendant as my shadow, my husband informed me that he wished me to be less intimate both with Mr. Bryan and her brother. I replied, 4" that I found them both agn eable and saw no reasjn for pursuing the course he n c immeudi d." 44 They are extremely disagreeable to my mother,!' Sa d my husbaud. 4',Ttiey are extreme ly agreeable to your wife," retorted I. " My mother declares that she will not go in to the room when they visit here," said he. 44 A very sensible resolution on your mother's part," was my reply. 44 Siiio has iheiefore been particularly careful to be present on such occa sions." : i Do you mean to say, then, that you persist in retaining these people as intimate friends, when it is contrary to the wishes of your family ? "Say rather U the wishes of your mother, and I reply yes. I recognize no right that she has to dictate from mere caprice, who shall be my associates." 44 But it is no mere whim, Sibyl. Mrs. Bryan has always been accused of improprieties of con duct to say the least, and her brother is said. to be really unprincipled." 44 Nonsense," retorted I ; 44 some sewing circle gossip of a few tattling old ladies. I shall not give up my friends for such baseless rumors." 4-1 understand you to say, then, decidedly, that you intend to pursue yotjr own couise, to cling lo those people." r " Place your request to give them up oa its j true ground, j. alously, and I might answer dif ferently." Jealously ;" repeated ray husband in a most contemptuous toue. u So you have imagined me jealous. It is no Vgh compliment, when the J cause of it too, is supposed to be a brainless pup- i py, like Canning. No, Sibyl, you are much - , i T I .si.,w..s1 4sw m r ta-ifn flint ii I - - T J O lllCI M L.iTl I L IK I IV lCrdlU WI T leads me to warn her against two unprincipled persons." 44 Sav in compliance with your mother's will, I replied, and you will tell the truth.' 44 As you will," he answered coldly ; but I tell you I will be obeyed, ii you cannot comply with a request, obey a command. Drop these people at once and forever.' 44 Is your mother to be mistress here, or am I f I exclaimed in a fit of ungovernable passion. " She has domineered over me till I can bear it no longer. We hate each other. We cannot breathe under the same roof; either the o-I -must go from it," i e " And ean vou asfc :. me, Sibyl, -burn my -nuper iroui niy no-Vs- " " Ojjt II e "V1" ,v,1at IM7. &a. utte to. iiy-.n.v, .....-. i,.J. ha placed me where I now am; that noble mother who by her needle, gained subsistence for her-, self and children, and shall I now be the base wretch to repay her with ingratitude ? Never ! never ! 44 Whatever she may have done for you," I re joined, "she has never, thank Heaven! done aught for me that I must repay with servility- She must be a-generous soul, indeed, to require the subjection vf a slave, not only from her son, but from his wife. Bow before her, if you will ; I will never do it." My husband made no reply. He probably thought that, after a short struggle, I should yield; but no! I was resolved. The next day I went to ride with Mr. Can ning, as I had before agreed to do. I was in no mood to play the agreeable, and he, to my sur prise, construed my silence and dejection into a regard for him. I speedily checked his insulting expression of tenderness, and bade him carry me home. I now saw the wisdom of my husband's coun sel, but I would not allow my mother-in-law to suppose that her wilj had been obeyed. As soon as I reached home I commenced packing my trunk, and, having ordered a carri age, I wrote a note for my husband ; it ran thus : 44 It is an old saying of fhat old fashioned book, the Bible, that " a man shall leave father and mother and shall cleave to his wite." You have decided differently. It is to be presumed that you are right. However that may be, we must part. That you may be happy is the wish of Sibvl Carter. This I folded and laid upon the table, where A 7 it would meet his eye on his return from a pro fessional visit. 1 had just finished my last duties and was ex pecting the carriage every moment, when the door opened and my husband entered. He looked at me, habited as I was for my journey, with no little surprise, but said nothing. His eye fell upon the note ; he opened it, read it delib. ratelyl, and laid it down again. 4 1 this indeed your final resolution," he asked. 44 It is," w as my reply. . He was silent for a few moments, and I would have given worlds to have known his feelings, but his countenance was impenetrable. At last he spoke. " Any settlement that you mav proprose through your lawyer, shall receive immediate at tention he said. - I bowed coldly. This, then, was the thought ihat occupied him. He could think of money matters when I was suffering agonies at parting from him. I would have died rather than have received one penny from him. Just then the carriage came to the door. The driver took my trunk, and I followed him, my husband was behind nie, though I did not know it. He li ted me kindly into the carriage and said a few friendly good bye words. The driver cracked his whip, and we parted forever. I sank back into the coach and wept bitterly. I knew that my husband supposed me to be going to my aunt's, but I had no such idea. I would go somewhere. I cared not where, so nobody knew me, and there I would earn my living. In the cars I matured my plans. I would go to Boston, from thence to some place as music teacher. I went to the Revere House, where I made the acquaintance of a Southern lady, a teacher in a semiuarr at the South, and under .an assum ed name, engaged to accompany her as a teacher. I went with her, and never was there a sadder heart than' mine during the nine months that I speut there. its true light, and I saw much to condemn. But what should I do ? Must I live on for ever I J asked myself. I cannot, my whole soul would cry out ; but I made no definite plans. Taking up a newspaper one day, I saw a para graph which spoke of the severe iiluess of Dr. Carter. 44 He may die," I gasped, 44 and never forgive me," Tiie thought was agony. All false pride was forgotten. I started immediately for home, traveling day and night, pursued by the barrow ing thought that he might die before I reached him. , I inquired, as if I were a common acquaint ance at B nghampton, if he was living. Thank God ! he was. It was night, but I hurried up to that well known house, on foot and alone. I ran through the street. I entered the house, ' q j- ! There he lay, sleeping : his mother by his bed-side, where his wife should have been. Her head was bent forward, and she did not see me as I glided to his side. He tossed uneasily. Sibyl T he murmured r r. : . . ' t t j " I here," I whispered m hi ear, for I j could bear it no longer. - - i ' V, He opened his eyes, fixed them on me with a look of love, sprang forward, and fell back faint1 44 Woman! you have killed him rjhriekd his mother. . -. j 1 . But it was not so.. The shock had indeed been a great one, bulhe soon recovered his con- "There was novjieed of woralliS'alTw'Iofy gotten. . He could not bear to have me to leave his side, and I was happy nowhere elae. I had become .very humble, for I bowed my self to my mother-in-law. Was she not bis mother ? j My husband slowly recovered, and when. I would have spoken of the past, and begged his orgiveness, he replied : j .', 44 Forgive me too, Sibyl, for my severity. .We have both suffered much, but we loved much and we have learned a great lesson, that of mu tual forbearance." j ALFRED SUMMERSON! OR THE i YOUNG COLLEGIAN'S PROBATION. BY M. V. ST. LEOS. 44 rye come to lid you good-by, Jessie, and it will be the best thing I've done this three years! , - The speaker was a youth of about seventeen, . fine looking, and spirited, but with a pair of large grey eyes that plainly showed their own- ;t er's love of mischief must be a terrible bind- j ranee to a sober, steady course of improvement. The young girl addressed looked up in surprise j at the sudden entrance and abrupt Speech of ; the animated speaker, and a shade of amaze- !; ment and reproach was in her eyes as she slowly ; replied : j -1 " The best thing you have done for three i years is bid me good-by, Alfred ?" I " "There, "now! I didn't mean, anything to ; punish myself." j f You have a most odd and singular way of telling your intentions, certainly, and no -doubt quite above ray powers of comprehension ; as ; canuot see in what way your rushing into the room with the announcement that the best thing youv'e done in three years is to bid me good by can be rendered synonymous! with 'I'm ; going to punish myself.' " ' ! j 44 There don't get vexed, Jessie. Lbeg your pardon, but the truth is, I have beenj reff ctinjr ever since I kft home to come and?e you, on i a plain, and forgetting you had not been fol lowing the same train of thought, I! put4finis' -where 4preface' should have been. But I'll do i right at last. You know, Jessie, Fira not the steadiest student that ever saw the inside walls i of a college. Now the fact is, every new terra j I resolve to conduct myself in such a manner i that the 4 big wigs, shall rise up . in wonder and f astonishment, to call down blessings' on Alfred 1 Summerson's head. Well, to be sure, I gener- ally succeed, but not in the way exactly I had 1 intended, and in consequence, instead! of being ' praised for my good intentions, and my "fall form grace" being made a matter of condolence, I am well thrashed (by word of mouth) for con sequences it was impossible to foresee, and for which Dame Fortune, and I, was to blame. "Father looks black, mother disconsolate, Kate is cross, and my little Jessie, here, is nearly drowned in tears. Now I think of affairs has lasted long enough, so this state m going to turn over a new leaf. Ob, yes ! it'ai 1 the truth, and you need not look so despairingly. 1 re aliy believe you think that expression signifies I'm going to fight, drink, insult the president, and get expelled;' but indeed Jessie you are mistaken, and now I'll tell you something that will prove I'm in earnest. I ain't going to see you again till one year of trial has proved me an altered fellow. There, now, you know it alL" throughout the first of this speech" Jesnie had listened half incredulously, but at its tonclusioa the tears started into her eyes as she; said : ' But, Alfred, do you think that! privation will help yon any f Will it not lose 'all power after a very short, time, and shall I effect as much by my absence as by my presence, as small as even that influence has been upon you!" i i .'.'-j-:- ' 44 &o, Jessie, I don't think you or I know how great a pleasure your society is tc me ; and I'm sure if I know I cannot see you until I have earned the right, and that it depends solely on myself, it will be a short- year before we meet again. I have told Kate of my resolutions, and she laughed at me, saying, "we should have a': worse report of m than ever; she ' bad noticed' it was the invariable accomplishment to . all unusually good resolutions of mine for me to leave you ; keep up a good heart and see what a year will bring. Good by, good-by ,T and in. another instant be was gone. j . J Alfred Summerson was the son of la gentle man of fortune and family. Generous, warm hearted, quick-wited, with a source if amuse ment that was inexhaustible, good sense, and faculty for all he undertook, there wal nothing to prevent hk being the best of scholars, except that unconquerable love of fun, and tie knowl edge that he could make up lost time by a lit-' tie extra application ; but roost unfortunately this little extra application never was put in practice, and in consequence his friend began to fear for his future fate. '.'; - ? ! Jessie Grey was the only child of a widowed mother, and the darling of every cue . Gentle and affectionate, she loved the wild youth h had just left her, witfrter whole heart!1 but her. mother dreaded to allow the young ppJe to !'l 14 1 if" 1 I t ft I! it n j; V -1.
Southern Weekly Post (Raleigh, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Jan. 27, 1855, edition 1
1
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75