A Friend of the family. (Savannah, Ga.) 1849-1???, November 01, 1849, Image 1

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pcuotcb to £itcrature, Science, aub tlje Sons of temperance, ©&i> jfelloiuslffi), ittaoonrn, anb General intelligence. Slume I. s!S!B ©Kll*iUfc * A Ibß For A Friend of the Family. SELF DEVOTION. nr miss Susa* a. stuabt. Continued from our last. CHAP. 111. “ Luxuriant joy, pleasure in excess, sparkling, exult A f\r hrnvv, and revel unrestrained.” On e ve, 7 uru „ „ don’t tease Mr. Percy,” said Leila as * the breakfast room of the cottage — :hc enter y ence of p orrester ’ s —“ Come, hCS |'| , m’t vousome flowers for papa before break- Will g C „ u \n,l I will help to make Miss Fanny’s boquet,” Vthe youth as he followed Leila into die por iU t i iro Vh the French windows, and stepped ,‘ r into the garden in front. “ May I assist Miss Leila in your selection ? Oh ! look at ■ -beautiful moss rose-bud. Do you know Le— r pardon Miss Leila, you must blame Gus familiarity. Do you know that I never see rose-bud but that my thoughts fly off to o a t once. I have a dear little sister that al ls reminds me of one in her gentle loveli- This one 1 beg you to take trom me as a i,!verv daguereotype of Nannie, hoping one of iifise Jays to introduce her to you in reality.” “ Ishall like to know her very much. We always tel a desire to be acquainted with the other mem- Ktrs of a family when we know intimately one f them. Don’t you ? ” “Yes when 1 know them to admire and es een, as vou ladies say. Now I knew you long ,eforc lever saw vou. Gus, whom 1 rescued iron.some scrape, and with whom 1 afterwards jecame hand and glove on board ship, Used to iia/te vou his constant theme, and it the shoies )f [he .Mediterranean and all other places a thick ire touched, could speak, their echo would *, Leila! Leila! Leila! I therefore must plead „r pardon beforehand should 1 make the lapsus ■ imi. . i ■‘Not much of an oflence,” said Leila, though brushed. The breakfast bell now called them to the wise, and re-entering the room which they had eft,they found all the family assembled. After itibhad kissed her father, she took hei usual seat, be head of the table, around which the others anged themselves. James the novelist may speak as be pleases ot lothing being equal to an English breakfast, but rather calculate, as the Yankee says, that it he nddeigned to peep into the breakfast room of lie cottage, he might add in Ins next , by way ot lariotv, a Virginia one, as a set off. The exqui uielyclean, white damask, with its covered tray, mwhich in all their gloss and polish, glittered the service of French china, whilst the smoking and lusciousheefstakes,cutlets and oysters from famed Lyndhaven ; and the whitest of all white breads,! varied with the brown, and crisp-looking Jolinny vake, muffin, waffle, the usual appendage ot a breakfast. The castors, napkin rings, were all so bright and shining, contrasting so beautifully with fie snow white cloth and serviettes . And then the Lees too, around that abundant and peacetul board, so loving, so beautiful and fresh that I question if England, or indeed the world, could bent it, The perfume of flowers came voluptu °usly in like sweet messages, from loved ones, a nd the laugh and light jest were passed around ■ w merry table, for Algernon Percy had been * ’‘re the hte of the circle for four weeks, and was considered part of the family, so much and so de servedly popular had he become. Leila sat at rhe head as I before said, dispen ! r>g tea and coffee, and smiles and kind words / llh a ? ra ce and a manner which made her more 1 uitul th a n when in costly garb she decked |/ lae . ma gnihcent entertainment. Her simple _ • orning dress of white muslin, confined at the InrTp l a * ri bband of pink, with its knot i„ Y , lr ; * mce ty fitted her slight figure ; and her proudh^! ma '? eso * ba i r i handed around her small, Tr h#>r” lea d, were her sole adornments, tbc hottn^ 11 J ai ,^ rs * Alton, on her left Percy, at GusonlV 0 the table was Mr. Forester, with wf;i| ( , , ann . v > whilst the intermediate seats iLv l b . v A |ina ami Mary, eatinn. ‘ , P P y they all looked, as they thus sat *>cvanr? • • Gus was relating with buoy to hj 3 f fP lr,t > s °me frolic of the proceeding day sWinT’- r, M ryin S U P his own prowess, and whil 3t 4‘ n ridlcu louß colors Leila’s timidity ; self sat laughing, not caring to defend her nd th e chdd RCe WaS PreUy WeU fiUed by PCrCy emit k sister one more cup of coffee, to re % bn., w- my I'a’-igues, and I shall have finished ‘I and fast .” more/ lls ’ * not tb * n k y°d deserve any * Cr I have listened to the riduclous ac- count given of our yesterday’s walk in which I figure so well. Shall I give you another cup, Mr. Percy ? ” “ Thank you, no more. But I have one favour to beg of you, instead, ” and his voice lowered, “ call me Algernon. It seems so cold, to have one whom we love, to call us Mister.” The young man blushed even as much as Leila at his impromptu declaration, made so injenuously by him ; but it was unnoticed by the remainder of the party —unless indeed Mrs. Alton saw and heard, but she had turned to address a servant behind her, and their embarrassment passed without comment. Such had been the happy estate in which they had been passing their time for the last few weeks; and Leila and Algernon began to acknowledge to themselves, but not to each other , that so would I hey be content to glide on through life for they loved . Percy had come home with Gus on a visit, and had become, as I before said, one of that happy family. But nineteen years of age he had not yet added the star to the anchor, which pro claimed him Passed Midshipman ; and his castle building had fixed upon that period for which he was now studying, as a time when he might say to Leila, what he dreamed of by day and by night. At the present he was happy, ever by her side, either as an escort, or tendering some slight service, living only in her presence: “ He had ceased To live within hitnself; she was his life, The ocean to the river of his thoughts, Which terminated all; upon a tone, A touch of hers, his blood would ebb and flow, And his cheek change tempestuously.” The day however was drawing near for depar ture. And yet, he had no thought of telling Leila the tale of his love. She was young, and he thought, though not sure that she loved him.— What need he say anything until he passed his examination—a year at most —and then he would ask her to be his. He was certain she knew that he loved her ; and with youth's hopefulness, that lives only in the present, he deferred binding her by any engagement, until he could honorably ask her hand from her father. Well! as I have said, the day for his departure drew nigh ; and Leila in her inmost heat felt it most sensibly, yet on that calm, placid brow, still was placed the seal of peace unruffled, tranquil as that of the smiling and sleeping'infant, for it was all hidden in its intenseness of feeling in her heart like those volcanic fires which burn and feed most deeply when hidden from all eyes. Gus, poor fellow, felt this second parting more acutely than the first; for he had tried the world and found it not quite as beautiful and bright as he had imagined it in his castle-building. Imagine to yourself that three months have passed since Gus and Percy set out in the Sara toga, for their cruise ; and that Leila and her sis ters were studying and making his hearth still happy for Mr. Forrester. But woe is me ! my tale is o’er true and life like—after one bright sun light of happiness must come the cloud of sorrow. Mr. Forrester was suddenly and fatally seized with an affection of the heart, and notwithstanding skill ful and almost immediate assistance, breathed his last, without word or sign. Now indeed, came the trial. What was to be done, for the news came full-soon, that his affairs were entangled, and that every thing was to be sold to pay his creditors. Too true the report; and poor Leila was roused from the stupor of grief, to listen to the plans suggested by her kind, faithful friend Mrs. Alton, who only clung the clo ser to them in their misfortunes. The dear cot tage must be sold, and Mus. Alton determined, with her small means, to rent a bouse in the ad join” town, and live there with the family, increas ing her income by a little school. She did so, and, kind creature that she was, found ample recompense in the love, and almost veneration with which she was regarded by the Forresters. They, poor things, meeting bravely and lovingly every privation, to which they were unused. Some kind friend had purchased and presented to Leila, her maid Ro&a, who had nursed her, and ever loved her devotedly; and never did the heir of Ravenscross have a more devoted servitor in old Caleb, than Leila I orres ter found in her nurse Rosa. chap. iv. “ When sorrows come, they come not single spies, But in battalions.” “I a m about to tell you something quite a se cret, but you must promise me not to say I told you,” said Miss Stella Lustrington toElla and Lu crece Lustrington, her young neices. “1 heau from good authority that your father was about to be married, and to a young thing not much older than yourself, Ella! How wi you ive having a step-mother ?” ~ , “If she lets me alone, I care not, said the in dolent Ella “ but who can it be, any one we know. SAVANNAH, GA., THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1849. “ For my part,” said little Lucrece, “I shall like it very well. If she is pretty and good I will love her and become —” “For shame Lucrece ! ” said Miss Stella, and she drew her rather thin person up, and gave such a look with her eyes as nothing but such stony ones could give, “ for shame ! Your own dear mother has scarcely been dead two years and could you call another mother, or even tolerate anyone who should come into her place, assume her name, use everything that belongs to her,” and the crocodile took out her handkerchief and applied it to her dry eyes. “Yes, Lucrece you ought to be ashamed,” said Ella, “ I know I shall hate her, and will tell Pa so, may be he will not marry, cousin.” No, dear Ella, it is alas too late, for the marriage will take place next week. Be assured that everything has been said to your Pa by kind friends that could be said, but in vain. He will rue, when too late, that be did not take their advice. Your new mother is none other than that stuck up doll, Leila Forrester who, when her father lived, was actually considered too good to mix with common folks, and now, that she is poor, must needs come to disturb our happiness by’ marrying, for nothing on earth but because your father is so wealthy, that she can flaunt about and bring her pack of beggarly sisters to lord it over you all. Oh ! yes, lean see an inch beyond my nose. But I’ll tell her for one she will never crow over me ! I prom ised your mother on her death bed to slay with you, and I’ll let her see she shall not impose on you. By this time she had worked herself into a con siderable degree of anger; imbuing the facile minds of those children with her own uncharita ble and prejudiced views, till they began to look upon Leila, as their greatest enemy and their cousin Stella as the warmest friend they had on earth. Stella Lustrington had passed the muster list , and withall the drawbacks of those stony eyes, tawney skin, and a nose, whose sharpness, I actually believe, would have split a rain-drop should it chance to fall on it —had in her own mind, claimed William Lustrington for her own especial property : and the loss, of what she had so firmly believed her own, had sharpened the edge of a temper, by no means angelic. At this crisis, William Lustrington enters, to announce his approaching nuptials. Shall I describe him to you my reader, the husband elect, of our Leila, our queen-like, gentle hero ine, the beloved of an intellectual father, the idolized of her dear, little sisters. Picture to yourself then, a short, thick-built, man, whose head always brought to your mind, the ideaof his having swallow’d his throat —if it were possible to perform such a seat —with a florid compleclion, rather heavy look, and altogether presenting the appearance of one, who did not care to be looked upon as a French petit maitre . He seems at a loss how to break the subject to the family; but when, at last he had screw’d his “courage to the sticking place,” he was total ly unprepared for the tears, and entreaties, with which he was assailed. In fact being rather a silent, diffident man, and by no means gifted with eloquence, he became quite embarrassed. He disliked and shrank from speaking of his love for the beautiful girl, she being but seventeen, and lie not quite a youth , as he had had the happiness —misfortune he now thought—in former days, to have been groomsman for Mr. Forester. So, as I told you, he knew not very well what to say, but sat twirling his fingers and thumb, looking with a blank face first at one and then the other mem bers of the family conclave, until he became an gry, and his vulgar nature got the better of his politeness as be rose to leave, saying positively— “ I don’t care how much 3 r ou may say or dislike it, lam my own master and I’ll marry who I choose, and when I please and if you don’t like it you may lump it.” Ah poor Leila, what a para dise is in prospect before you, and what a guardian angel you are about to take. Can you truly be lured ou by love for the “ vile yellow dross,” as Heber call's it, to marry this creature ? Must there not be another motive to urge on the pure hearted, self denying girl, whom 1 have endeav ored to paint in the preceding chapters. Step behind the scenes with me dear reader, and we shall see for ourselves, about a fortnight prior to the conversation between Miss Lustrington and her cousins. It is a small chamber, but neatly furnished with some of the loved cottage furniture, bringing as the eyes rest on them, sad feelings, lor they were as sociated with otherdays and persons. The blinds are closed, for Leila, who is reclining on the couch, has been suffering acutely with the headache, and she cannot bear, as she was wont, to have the sunbeams come dancing into her presence mock in” her with their gaiety as they did in happier days. Her pale cheeks betoken her sufferings, for a blush may be called up by anything, but when the warm blood curdles around the breast, leaving the cheek wan and cold, rest assured that some thing ol deeper moment is at play within. Near the head of the couch sits Mrs. Alton with Fanny leaning against her, looking with the tenderest compassion. on her darling sister. In the background stands the faithful servant, \vatching as a mother her young mistress. “ My darling Leila, I do not know what to ad vise,” said she, “ I am afraid you will think I speak from selfishness, .1 know you are well aware, how gladly I share what little I can com mand, with you and your dear little sisters. But dearest, none ot us know how long God in his mercy may spare my life, and then—l shrink from the future. 1 have always heard Mr. Lustrington spoken of as the best of husbands to his first wife, and I have no doubt, wealthy as he is, your sis ters will, when they need it, find a home and a protector. But I cannot advise, may God direct you.” “And pity me,” sobbed out the suffering girl. “Oh! my Father ! What shall I do,” continued she, clasping her small hands and lifting her eyes “direct me, merciful Parent, for I know not what to do.” Those were sobs indeed of agony, that echoed round that chamber, and the trembling lips and tearful eyesofthe little Fanny, showed how fright ened she was at this unwonted display of grief, as she glanced from her sister, to Mrs. Alton, and anon at the weeping nurse. “ Do you think, my dear Mrs. Alton,” at length gasped out Leila “ do you think under all the cir cumstances, my dear mother and father would wish me to make this overwhelming sacrifice I must call it so, dear friend, this once. Say is it my duty to my sisters that I should marry Mr. Lustrington ? I will do it—whatever it may cost, if God will give me strength.” Mrs. Alton could not at first answer this appeal. She saw the agony, the pleading look for mercy in her decision on that voung, suffering face.— She knew what made the sacrifice which Leila truly called so overwhelming, for she had wit nessed the young love springing up in the hearts both of Percy and Leila, and could sympathise in this dread “ Grief, beyond ull other griefs, when fute First makes the young heart lone and desolate In the wide world, without that only tie For which it loved to live or feared to die.” At length she said slowly, yes dearest Leila, it is our duty ever to consider the young, the help less, innocent beings conjidcd to our care, even beyond our own temporal happiness. Be assured God will not allow this union to be without some share of comfort to you if it only be such as is the reward of your own conscience, and in hav ing procured for even this helpless babe a home and protector.” She placed the fairy-like, beau tiful child in her sisters arms, who pressing her almost convulsively to her said, “Yes, for their sake will I sell my own happiness —write at once, lest I am again a coward, and take back my word ; Yes, write to Mr. Lustrington that I consent to be his wife, he knows that I do not frr/n him ; and now good, kind friend leave me to myself this evening, for I need strength from Him who alone can give it to me now” Concluded next week . Paper Maclie. —There are two distinct sorts of what is called maclie ; one is made thus: the rag of scrap paper is ground, then couched in layers and placed one upon the other until sufficiently thick, when it is put between two flannel felts and submitted to a violent pressure, and afterwards placed in the mould by manipulation, a counter mould is then placed upon it and then submitted to a general pressure and confined in its place by iron cramps, afterwards dried, then saturated with linseed oil, but great attention is required or it will take fire. There is also a peculiar paper called Makeing paper, fabricated at Bolton le More, in Lancashire, with this article the more elegant and costly spe cimens are made. It is wonderful how well the human mind rea sons upon its own side of the question, when, on the one hand, is the prospect of an ignominious death, with but the remote hope of our innocence working a miracle in our favor ; and, on the other, are presented the ready means of escape. Every one knows too well that the law is not one of those lions that invariably lie down at the feet of virtue, and that, had poor Una, with such suspicions against her, met in the desert a law lion, instead of a real one, the beast would infallibly have torn her in pieces. Cities are just as conceited, if not more so, than men. There is scarcely a large or small town but what has called itself, at some time or other “The Capital of the Civilized World.”— Punch. NUMBER 35