UL
CHRONICLE
H. C. HICKOa, Editor,
a N. WOMEN, Printer.
LEWISBUEG, UNION CO., PA., JANUARY 15, 1851.
Volume VII. Ntunher 42.
Whole Number 354.
LEW
SBUM
t. ii -r u -t 1 m
iniiiriiiiitr naiLT Joiattal.
Juurd on Wrdiiedny rtmniiiin at Letvitburg,
Union county, Penniylrama
TKRMX. .SO per Tear. fat rash artnallr In airaner;
$l.T5. If thin three months: tiK if (out within a
year: $1S0 if a 4 pad Is-d.rr the yearrtr.ir: a ml hr
inste nurab-ra. tiubarriptinnti frr six month or I ss tti
l pad in idtiw. In-ronlinuanees optional with the
Puhlih"T. exe.pt when the ear is paid up.
AdveTtjsemciits handsomel? in-erted at 50 cent, per
square, una we Is. $ 1 four weela, $"i a var: two iuarea,
t fcr ii month.. $7 for a T-ar. M.ratit:l- advertise
ment, nit eiered'a one fourth of a eidumn. f 10.
JOU WORK and mmutl adtertiaems-nia to be naid (or
wlwa hand.il in ur wrlitered.
Commnnicationa aolieitt-d nn stl .nljeet of reneral
Interest n. within the ran of party or ws-tarian onnteat.
all letter must r-m- f.nt-ra!d. rei.mtitn:ed l.r the real
Mm of the writer, to rer-ire attention. t!Tlr-e
Tla:in? eHii.:,-r f tlie Kd'tn-i.-l Peiartm -nt. to be
airerted to lltvtr r. Itinoc ri H!Uar and thoM ea
u.inet to O. X. Vor.lt. V.'JuW.
Office on Market street, between Srennd and Third, orer
the Post-office, o. X. l:iEN, I'mpnet..
ORIGINAL NARRATIVE.
Xolcs of a Seven Monllis' Journey lo
CALIFORNIA,
via. io kT miTir sa.xta rn gila web. axd
THE Ti'LE i.tA.i
rem the PriTate Journal kept by
M H. CUAMliEKLIX, or Liwuacu, Pa.
CONTINUED.
Fridav, April 20-O.ir general course
thus far has lieen a few decrees S. if W.
The r. ad better than usual to diy; croased
a creek, within half a mile ol its junction
with .he Canadian river. We aro now in
Ihe Shawnee Indian country. Passed
through one of their villages they apiirar
to be a mt e civilized tribe than any we
have yet met with. Thev have very gtsid
log cabins, arranged in a strnght line, with
a mad or street, pns.ing along in front of
th m. 1'ne old t hief of whom we pur
chafed -ni had a stern, eiiiinianti:ii ap-la-ara
nre, an ilili I eotual phyinriotn , ami
fire" in ins eve, but wa rry oriin
He gatrl ibai hf had been at war unhlbe
white-, had loulit many i.alllo i ii Idem
in the Statt'si, hut was tm at pt-ace wiih
every htaly and hojietl to remain no. K
he i;iii ibis, his moiisteiit'd t ves app-ared
to wander nrniiid upun the fields and cab I
ins of this, a puriin of tl.e remnant ol his
once powerful irile, with a eeminr.
though meUncholv (iride. Some of the
qiawsj were handstniie, wjili regular lea
ture. and in dress imi'nied lh stjle of ihe
whiles. One in particular, th-s wile of a
white man who was atwnt on a hunting
excursion, was cjune (itshiiuinbly dresed
Her house and contents were comfortable,
ami neatly arranged, and not the least
prominent anie.le of furniture, was a clean
looking bed and bedstead, curtained and
festooned off a-la-mode. From this ladv
we procured egis, chickens, milk, Vc.
D. s auce. 8 mih s 121
Sdttirdty, April 21. Made little pro
gress to dat, our cnure lay tiver a rough
and mnun'ainmis country. U'e were fol
lowed all day by Indians wanin to trade
with us ; they had corn and potatoes, and
generally wanted clothing t.f rome descrip
tion in exchange. Tney have a good idea
ol the worth of ihe different anich-s we
offered them, and are well acquainted
with the value 01 money. These hdll-civ-ilix-d
Indians, have a great dread of the
wild "Red sk'ni'i of ihe plain-", and trem
ble when the word Can.ancfie" is named
They appear to think thai we are a foul
hdrdy set to venture through th;s country,
and that we will certainly get into trouble.
The grass is becoming more nourishing to
(I I. . L r . 1
mr aiocK. wnicn are iusi improving. ve
have pitched our tent upon the bank of a
brook, and have quite a crowd of Ind ans
bout us. They are verv independent,
and even insolent, but will beg tobacco,
this being the first thing they ask lor
D.stance, 8 miles 128.
Sunday, April 21 Uain this morning.
For fear of detention by high waters, con
cluded to tiavel to-day. Crossed a num
ber of deep, bougy slues, in one of whieh
we brokethe bolster of our wagon; another
upt in the stream, injuring the wagon,
and writing their baggage ; a third broke
.L... e. as. I
me tongue it tneir wagon, we soon r
paired ours, and were again under way.
Sunn after we reached a prairie sevenl
mile in length, but q-iite narrow. From
the number of horses and cattle we saw
grazing, we knew we were near an Indian
settlement. We encamped early, and
were mmmi visited by a number of squaws,
bringing egg, fowls, milk, butter &c,
to sell, and afterwards by the men i n
horseback. We learned that we were
within two miles of the Canadian river,
fi e miles of Edwards' trading house on
the oppnaite side, and half a mile of
'Shawnee tnr This vil.age is situated
in the woods between the prairie and the
river, very much scattered, being several
miles in length. The Canadian divides the
Sha wnee and Creek Indian Territory.
Distance, 10 miles 138
Monday, April 23. Maj. Green and
myself rode over to E.lward.' trading
house, which is situated on Little River.
Bear its junction with the Canadian, ft is
ISO miles from Fort Smith on the old road,
which is the one we should have taken
We forded the Canadian, which is here
about 600 miles wide. The water ic
brackish, turbid, and of a yellowish color.
The bed of the river n entirely qaickund,
when i in constant n.oiuin. We were
obliged lo hurry our animal aero to
prevent them from sinking. There are a
uunilier o( cabins about this trading post,
ml ab led by motley ra--e of whites, I ri -His
us, and Net; roe. Old Mr. El ward
hits grown wealthy, but at the same time
trey, and lajrdering on second child-
hood, in this traffic wiih the Indians. The
Knirkerbrx'ker Company from New York
passed Edwards' last week. Thev rlio
posed of many of ttuir effects here; have lor supper. Distance, 15 mile 191.
had a great deal of trouble end contention Sunday, April 29. Remembered the
in ihcir pafly. Two wagons overtook Sabbath" to-day, by pursuing our journey,
and encamped near us tins evening. A We left our em atnpment at 6 o'clock and
heavy thunder shower last night, to-day had a fine high prairie (at several miles,
verv pleasant. but were again interrupted by creeks and
Tuesday, April 24 -Started at7oV!ock slues which detained us very much. En
this tnorr.'iig, ihe road belter, and ihe conn- camped this evening within two miles of
try more open than usual. We have been !c river. We breakfasted on turkey and
luxuri.ning lor anme days upon the many j venison. Strawberries ore abundant on
good things we procured Irom the Snaw- ihe plain, and beginning to ripen. There
nees, such as wild turkey, fresh pork, has been a strong hot wind blowing io
milk, butter, egg, sweet potatoes, pea nuts ' day ; water very scarce, and unfit for
Ac, and a dish of fritters, hutt-r cakes or
rtotiyhiitiin, is not uncommon at our table.
Distance, 10 n.ib-s. 1 13.
Wednesday, April 25. Remained in
. - j pi... n . . . . i.
U'e give them no opportunities to pilfer
Irom us.
Thursday, April 20
Started at 6 this
morning, and traveled over a level coun
try, at a pretty fust rate, until 9 o'clcrck,
when it commenced raining. and the troops
encamped. We determined to goon. 1
ns. ei.ded a high point or bluff, off which 1
bad a fine view of a large and beautiful
scope oi couniry wooaianu ana sir.ps oi
prairie, anernaieiy, warning nui ine nouses :
to give it me appearance oi avast settle-
ment. e made the compass our guuie,
and steered in a duo west direction, cutting
our own road for about five miles, when
we encamped, satisfied lhat we had done a
reasonable day's work. There is a great
abundance of iron ore in this section of
country, and the soil is a rich loam, prod
ucing fine grass. The water in the small
streams vie crossej to-day, was as clear
as chrystal, but of a soft, brackish taste.
The sun is generally very hot during the
rlay, and the nights uncomfortably cuol
Distance, 13 mil s 101-
Fnday, April 27. Started early, and
after crossing a creek, struck upon a high
prairie, over which we passed at a good
rate until 2 o'clock, P. M , w hen we bore
a linle N. of VV. and soon found ourselves
in a light place rocks, ravines and woods
all around us; but we finally reached our
camp ground, after upsetting one of our
wagons in deep ravine ; fortunately, we
broke nothing Part of our course t-day
was through a fine country. Crossed what
Lieut. Deitt calls the Delaware mountains;
the scenery, from some of Ihe peaks, wus
truly magnificent. The streams of water
crossed lo-.lay, were limpid, but saltish in
taste. From the appearance of the country,
we must be near the Canadian river, and
hy what we can learn from the Indians,
about 25 miles from Cho'eau's." It is
high li'iie we reach lhat point, which has
been more the topic wiih us than Ihe gold
mines of California. We have no good
feelings fir the founders of this new road,
and hope but few will venture upon it.
Distance, 18 miles 179.
Saturday. April 28 Several of us
started ahead of the wagons, early this
oornin., lo ' cut and blaie" the road,
which we did for aoout four miles thro' a
scrub oak and briar thicket, when the wag
ons came up with us; crossed a wide
creek, rlowing towards the Canadian, the
bed being quicksands ; passed thro' several
miles of timber, which proved lo be the
Cross Timbr rs" which separates ihe In
dian Territory from the Ptaina or "Great
American Desert." The Delaware Indians
inhabit this portion of country ; the moun
tains of thai na.oe are nothing more lhan a
high, bald prairie. About main, we came
nut upon the great plain, which extends
north, south nd west as tar as ihe ejecan
reach. Saw two antelopes to-day, and
fired two shots at them as they ran or
rather flew by us. Several fine turkeys
killed to day, and a prairie chick's ne-t
robbed of 1 4 eggs. To-nighl, as I sit by
the fire on guard. I am well serenaded by
wolves, which keep up a perfect chorus.
As yet. we have aeen bo bulla I o. except
their old crossings," and a number of
'frames" or skeletons. By uniting a bard
day's labor with a hard day'a travel, some
ides can be formed of how we have been
getting along, and how we feel when we
encamp at night. We nave been one
-mnp t.i Kiny. a tie- sju,-. tram iiiir naca ,on a small ravine, wnere we cou!1 scarcely
to Sbauneetowii for corn. The Indians ! procure enough water for cooking purpos.
promised to bring us corn and "coot flour" ra. This evening a D-laware Indian vis
l.i camp, hut did not fulfil. Persons living iicd our camp. He called himself 5ig
in a evil ti-d country, unacuuiinted wi h : Buck, and could speak a good deal of Eng
ine Indian charac er, would naturally ' lish. He said that we were within 8 miles
svmptth zt with them and would dwell j ol Chon auY and gave us a great deal of
fir hours upon the wrongs they had re- iu'ormation in regxrd to the country. In
ceivrd at the bauds ol the whites, hot a return weyave him his supper, and he eat
sh ut arrpjiin'nuce with ih-e ited-kins, fully six men's rations, enough, he said, lo
w ill suffi -e to change tiat opinion. They ! last hnn three days. When he depnr'ed
area treacherous, lying, dishonest people, j he promised lo come in the morning and
with but few redeeming truits of character, 'guide us to Choteau's.find us a gaud cross.
month out from Fort Suiith.to-rlay. Lieut.
(JpilesirafT has encamped some miles hack,
to await the arrival ul Capt. Marry wiih
provisions; Lieut. Dent, to save hi-credit,
fame up with us this evening, alone, de
termined in be. in advance lo Cho'cau's. an
that it can not begin! thil we laid out the
road lor hun, although he has ordered the
troops lo follow our trail. A good pocket
compass is an indispensable anicle.in irav
'eiing through this country. Wild turkey
use. Distance. 12 miles 206.
Monday, April 31V Our course to day,
was along the dividing ridge between the
Canadian and Watehna rivers. Encamped
' ,.
j ing, iVc. He and his companion are nut
from their village on a hunting cxjiediiion.
Distance, 15 m les '211.
Tuesday, May 1 Big Buck came ac
cording to agrcetncr.t.t.i ncl as guide. On
, reaching the river, several of our company
j crossed, and went in search ol a trading
1 house. We caught some fine fish, in
j which the Canadian abounds ; and the In
oians trap a good many otter along "!
oanas. I nis htiernoon we crossed our
teams, wttn nut little dithcuity, the river
being wine, but siiaiiotv. we were
obliged to keep the wagons rolling" to
prevent their sinking into the quicksand.
Encamped on the north side of the river,
where we had excellent feed for our stock.
Distance, 6 miles 227.
Wedne-dy, May 2. Reached Cho-
teans this morning, in an hours travel
We found an organd company of emi-
-rants ntre, atiout XU'l men, wi-n 4ti
wigons. under the commaudol C-pt B tss;
also some scattering messes-, and some
lamilies.who are waiting fur Capt Marcy's
escort. We heard that the Knickerbocker
company nan passed several flays ago.aiso
iKm f Itu ei 1 1 iui I. it m n,ni' ont a n r. tr m,,ln I
company. Encamped, and deliberated
upon "what was to be done next." Dist
ance, 3 miles 230.
Thursday, May 3. This morning, I
visited what was formerly an extensive
Indian trading post, established hy Mr.
ijh.iteau, of St. Louis ; how long since he
abandoned it, I am not able to learn. Some
years ago, Mr. El vards of Latte River, 80
miles below, sent up a lot of goods and
negroes, with a man in charge, to trade
with the Indians, cultivate corn, Azc. After
i hey had a crop raised, and everything
going on as well as could be wished, they
were suddenly attacked by the Camanches;
the negroes fle-d, and the overseer was
killed ; the buildings were set on fire, nnd
everything burned to the ground. From
the remains, it can be seen thst there were
several buildings, enclosing on three sides
a court about 150 feet square, the open
side to the east.
We have determined not to travel with
a large company, if we can find 20 or 30
men of our mind. A mess of 9 Virginians
have concluded to go with us. This evening
we struck camp, and traveled a few miles
upon the plain ; halted on a small ravine,
amid heavy rain ; here we found a mess of
8 men from Baton Rouge, La., who also
agreed to go with us. Distance, 6 miles
236.
Friday, May 4 Rained all day, but we
continued moving along. Encamped eailv,
for the purpose of organizing a enmpanv
or mutual- protection as far as Santa Fe.
or the Rio Grande. Elected Maj. Green,
Captain. There are 31 men in our com
pany, and 9 wagons. Fuzhugh.Winaton.
Winston, Jeniler, Burnell, Rockyfellar.
Hart, B ornan and Jim, from Virginia ;
Dixon. Dixon, Githwait, Heddenburg, Pi-
erren. Meeker, Martin, and llemy, frum
Louisiana ; Dougherty, Dougherty, Green,
Faras, Parker, Campbell and George from
Texas these, including our mess, formed
our little company. Some thought it rather
rash to attempt passing through the Cam
anche country with so small a force ; but
all agreed that our animals would fare bet
ter, and we would be more likely to get
along in harmony, (both of which proved
true-) Distance, 30 mile 280.
Sa'urday, May 5 Started Jt8 o'clock.
Traveled over a peilectly level plain. The
road being good, we made excellent lime.
The road is so much better than that we
have been traveling over for the last five
weeks, that we scarcely knew when to
stop. We are now fairly launched upon
ihe plains, and if wind and tide" favor
u. we will " probably live" lo see Ihe end
of our jo irney. tt e were obliged to leave
h-J road a mile or more ibis evening, for
:he purpose of encamping with wood and
water. Run and heavy thunder showers
duiingthe nisjht. Distance 30 miles 286.
Sunday, Miy 6 In iho course of to
day's travel, there was frequently not a
tree or shrub in sight. Passed through a
large Prairie Dog village; the earth was
very spouty and damp where they had
burrowed. We saw a number that were
apparamly guarding their habitations, but
turned in upon our approach. We did not
succeed in killing any. They are said to
lie delicious rating. Encamped on a
ravine, and had good water and feed.
Distance, ISmi'es 295.
Monday, May 7. L- ft camp at 8 o'clock,
shoitly alter reached and crossed the Can
adian river; it has the same singular, tur
bid appearance, and quicksand bed. The
road to-day has been very good. Thisj
route has never been traveled before, so
that our course is merely marked out and
not a solid road. There are probably 90
wagons in advance of us. We are now in
ihe Camanche Indian ranae. but as vet
have seen but few traces of I hem; or rather
it may be considered neutral ground he
ween the savage and ball civilized Ii dun
trilies. Game is very scarce, and although
there have been at one time vast numbers
of buffalo on these plains, yet as civilization
advance this animal retreats towards the
setting sun. We have pitched our camp
upon a high point, where the horiz n does
: not appear to be more than h ilf a mile dis
! unt on all sides. Distance. 20 miles 315.
j Tuesday, May 8. Our course to-day lay
ver a high, level plain, very solid, which
'made the wheelin" good. We passed a
great number of oalural moundf. to day. cf
various shapes, which gave the landscape
an odd, romantic appearance. The mounds
are composed of a red colored, ro'len sand
stone, and earth of the same nature and
color. The grass on the plains is short,
hut very nourishing to our animals. Water
and wood have been very scarce to day ;
we almost despaired of finding m place to
encamn until 4. P. M- when we crossed
gevera! ridges of white stone, which we
;d,.cilt.d to ta pIilster: ,he gMSS apprarrd
; m,,re flh and we ,,, f()Und wnler and
!wnodpnoUgh to answer all purposes. The
'f.-mer. however, was so b.d that we cnulrl i
freely ose it. To-day we saw the first
,rPsh ,ripe!, 0f buffalo heir watering pla-
,,es fre,h dun:! .nd nnwy cropid grass:
and about 3 oVb-ck, saw seven bulls feed
ing about a mile from tbe road. At that
moment what would I not have given for
a good horse ; I could have exclaimed
"a horse! a horse! a kingdom for a horse!''
As it was. I could but witness the -sport.
Several of the men gave chase, and suc
ceeded in killing one, and wounding three
more. We Ibund seventeen bulls grazing
behind a small mound, within one fourth
oi'a mile of camp. Messrs. Fitzhugh and
Winston wounded one of them, pursued
him several miles, and finally killed him,
hut did not reach camp until late at night.
During the day we had also killed a deer,
turkey, prairie chicks, and ducks, and
we are enjoying a bounteous least this
evening. If our situation was known by
our friends at home, they would certainly
envy us. The bull meat however, proved
raiher lough ; otherwise it resembled beef,
excepting the wild flavor. Wolves, rattle
snakes, and toads, abundant. Distance,
20 miles. 335.
Wednesday, May 9. Crossed several
deep and difficult ravines to day, and en
camped on a stream running in a S. E.
direction. It ia about 2U yards wide, and
we suppose a branch of Red Rfler. The
water is very red, turbid and unfit for use.
Fortunately, we had filled one of our india
rubber brigs during the day, which served
us for cooking. Jerking our venison and
buffalo meat this evening. We have very
fine grass at this camp. Cauitht some
rine catfish and soft shelled turtle in the
stream. The weather is very warm, and
I find walking all day pretty tiresome
work. Passed the remains of a horse,
left by some company in advance of us.
Distance, 16 miles. 351.
Thursday, May 10 Passed over a
hiah rolling prairie; the few shrubs that
grow in the ' arroya$n are in full bloom,
which serves to cheer the monotony of
this vast waste, round but utile water,
gathered a mess of mushrooms for supper.
Encamped upon a small running stream.
of very red water. It will not affect soap.
Distance, 20 miles. 471.
To be continutd.
A fine coat often covers an intolerable
fool, but never conceals one.
HOME AND FRIENDS.
Oh, there's a power to nfaka each hour
As sweet as heaven deaignril it ;
Nor need we roan to bring n home.
Though few ibere he whu lii.d it !
We arrk l'N high for rhinga chms by,
And lo-e wrbal Xaime bund us;
For life haa here no charms m dejr
As llouie sod Friends around us!
We ofl destroy the present joy
For future hope and praise them ;
Whilat flowers as sweet, bloom at oar feet.
It we'd hut stoop lo raise them !
F-r Ihinie afar still sweetest sie.
When youth's briiht spell haib bound ;
But soon we're launbl that earth has naught
Like Hum and Friends around us !
The friends that speed in time of need
When hope's last reed is shaken.
To show us still, let rome what will,
W e are not quite loraakea :
Though all were niehl if but I be light
From Friendships altar crowned us,
Twould prove the bliss of earlh was this
Our Home and Friends around us
From Arthur's Home Gazette.
7111 IQIsAaDISSa
0 PASSAGES i-V THE LIFE OF AX OLD MAID.
BT MRS. S. HEPBURN HAYES.
My father's address was Mr. Felix Hen
ly, or Esquire Henly, as he was denomin
ated par cnurleny by the country people,
who sometimes came to see him on busin
ess. He was an easy tempered old gentle
man, with mild, dark, eyes, and flowing.
silvery locks, aud be ng naturally indolent
and inclined to taciturnity, he had veiy
willingly yielded the prerogative of power
to his wile who.b'-iiig lull fif een years youn
ger, and a woman of active habits and
strong intelliC, omitted no opportunity to
govern her hotiseh Id which consisted nt
her children and farm servants with, as
she thought, a view to their best interest.
Vet I can remember, even at this late day,
w it h many a bitter pang, the feelings of en
vy and distress, occasioned by the differ
ence of her treatment between my sister
and myself. From my earliest recollec
tion, every disagreeable, childish task was
mine to perform. If any one was compel
led to forego an anticipated pleasure, the
lot was sure to fall on me; and I was the
scapegoat upon whose devoted head every
accident and misdemeanor committed in
the whole household, was sure to be laid.
It chanced. howevcr.that my natura (dis
position was mild and accommodating, and
on this account 1 was not so much injured
by the disagreeableness of my situation, as
might have been expected ; it had a leni
ency to make me thoughtful ; and the self
denial I was compelled to practice, enabled
me to submit to the younger members of
the family, and to support with patience
many peiiy ma is ana inconveniences,
M re,,dpr' I longer avoid infor
m niJ 'ou 1 "m ,he IJe,.! of four sis.
ters this being the entire family of my
parents. I, moreover, was so unfortunate
as to be christened by the name of Rboda,
a name which had always been (he deles
nation ol myrno'her; but as this was the
discriminative apil:ation of a maiden aunt
of my father's, who possessed some landed
property, with considerable money at in
terest, who had promised lo make me her
heir, provided I was called alter her, all
scruples had been wisely overcome. Bur
the old ladr, who was exceedingly caprici
ous, afterwards becoming offended from
some trifling cause, made her will :n favor
of a distant male relative, and I was thus
compelled to bear a name with all the op
ptobium, w hich disappointment and preju
dice had connected with it, without any
palliating circumstances.
My three sisters were all of different
styles of beauty, and yet they appeared lo
be equally admired. Constance, the next
in age, ha J light brown hair, hazel eyes,
and a bewitching smile ; and appearance
pleasing in the extreme. My second sister
was considered the beauty of the family.
Rose was her name and with her snowy
skin and auburn eyes and hair, few paused
io enquire whether her disposition corres
ponded with her person. Selina, the youn
gest, bore a striking resemblauce to our
mother, and was the favorite with her; she
possessed more menial energy than
either of the others, but her natural
character was both haughty and vain. Her
eyes were aUo hazel, but of a darker
shade, and her superb hair was black as
the raven's wing ; while in person she was
a queen of grace and majesty.
As for myself, no one hud ever pretend
ed lo discover a single I rait of either parent
in me. Rose was said to be like what my
father had been in his halcyon days; and
Constance and Selina to call op a remem
brance of mamma; but I, whose figure
was tall and angular, with a pale face, and
sunken grey eyes, was said to look like no
human being, unless it was aunt Rhoda.
Yet. my reader, I had one charm not pos
sessed by either of my highly gifted sis
ters ; my voice was inexpressibly sweet,
and, as I was treated from my earliest
childhood almost as an alien in the family,
I had ample leisure for the cultivation of my
mind. Our education had been, in a great
measure, cooducted by our parents. Our
mother was an accomplished woman, and
she omitted no opportunity to render us so
also : hut we were each, at the age of
sixteen sent to a large boarding school at
a considerable distance from home, where
were allowed to remain two years for
the purpose ol finishing.
Mamma had ured that, as I was so or
dinary in every re-pect, little could be ex
pected from me in Ihe way of marriage, or
advancing the interests of the family, and
observed that one year might suffice for
me. while each of my younger sisters
should have the benefit of two years pub
lic instruction. Downright injustice of
this description did not, however, suit my
father's preconceived idea of right, and I
was allowed equal advantages with the
others.
I will not, at present, dwell upon these
school days ; suffice it to say, I formed no
particular intimacies ; I made good use ol
my time, and carried home testimonials of
progress from the teacher, which were not
bestowed upon either of my sisters, much
to their chagrin.
As I have headed my narrative M The
Maiden Sister,' I will pass over the partic
ulars of our early youth, nor will I dwell
upon Ihe absence of sympathy and true
affection which continued to distinguish me
from the other members of the family.
The time of which I write at present, was
in the month of April ; Selina's last school
term had just expired. She was eighteen
years of age, and I turned of twenty-four.
I recollect, on that memorable afternoon,
i he air was Co d, and ihe sky cloudy, ren
dering a lilt e fire necessary in our small
sitting room ; and I can never forget the
aspect it presented. Our father was not
prtsenr, as he generally occupied an apart
ment denominated the study, where he
could attend lo his affairs and pursue his
Iwuks unmolested. M inima sat erect be
fore the fire, occupied wi'h her needle;
w hen silent, her countenance was almost
too commanding to inspire affection ; yet
her smile was' gentle and winning. She
dressed becomingly, and was lady-like in
her deportment. There was, however, an
air of sternness and decision that she could
assume at pleasure, which caused her
household to fear as well as love her. Her
manner towards my sisters was affection
ate ; but, with me, unilormly cold. My
sister Constance was sitting at a low table,
with a little basket before her, lined with
scarlet silk, containing the implements nec
essary for sewing. She feigned to be oc
upied with some petty feminine employ
ment ; but nsshe was constitutionally in
dolent, in reality accomplishing nothing.
Rose, who professed to be dying of ennui.
had seated herself in apparent desperation,
and was turning over the leaves of a popu
lar novel. Selina was stretched at full
length upon the fa. We had entertained
company at dinner, and she was in her al
ter noon dress. A greater part of her ex
quisitely mou'ded arm was visible, as it
supported her head ; her eyes were closed,
and the long dark lashes rested upon a
cheek whose glow was like that
"By the ranart givea to mountain sbow."
Her coral lips, slightly parted, revealed
tenth white as ocean pearls; and, as she
lay there, in dream-like beauty, I often
paused from my work to gaze upon her
We were thus occupied when the door
opened, and one of the maid servants en
tered with a small covered basket in her
hand
''Here is a present from John's wife for
Miss KSoda," said she, smiling, as she ad
vanced towards me.
I took it from her, and, on opening it.
found that it contained a small cream cheese.
John was the ploughman, my reader, and
during a long and severe winter.l had found
the road to the hollow in whieh bis hovel
stood, when the snow rendered the rpsds
almost impassible for others : I had cut up
a portion of my own slender wardrobe.and
converted it into clothing for Kale's twin
babies, when she. poor creature, had but
a scanty supply for one child. I had ma
ny times made nourishing broth, and fed
it to her with my own bands ; and now,
when returning health had smiled upon
her, as a token of still grateful feeling, she
had sent me this little cheese.
"Is she in the kitchen T" asked I of the
maid.
No, Miss, she has gone home."
"Take it with you and put it in the pan
try," I replied ; "I will thank her for ber
present when I see her again."
As soon as the girl had left the room,
Selina, who had started up, burst into a
contemptuous laugh.
"Truly, Rh. da, cried she, "you are
entering into the duties of your vocation a
year before the allotted lime."
Did you ever yet know an old maid,
mamma," chimed in Constance, "who was
not given to charitable visiting and all those
sort of things 1"
You must not forget," interrupted I.
'that it was the only thing this poor wo
man had to give. It has, doubtless, been
made a present to them, and would have
been a great delicacy in e family accos
tomed lo the coarsest fare ; she baa mad
more of a sacrifice to evince her gratitude.
than the great ones of the earth whea they
bestow their gilts ofcoslly jewels.'
-You possess the knack of defending
yourself, at any rate, Rhoda," said mam
ma ; "I wish, however, if you have an idea
of making yourself useful, you would con
trive to do so at home. You could assist
your sisters in repairing their wardrobe
help the maid and myself sometimes io the
dairy, and turn your band to a variety of
things."
And here my mother commenced a sub
ject she usually introduced inio all her pri
vate discourses: "Having so many useless
girls to dress is certainly very expensive,
and there ia a poor prospect of any of you
being married soon.
Rhoda should set her younger sisters
an example, replied Rose, while her pou
ting under lip curled wiih a sneering ex
pression, which had become almost habit
ual to it. "An elder sister an old maid, or
what is the same thing, certain of being
one, appears to exert a baleful influence
over the fortunes of a family of girls. It
eflectually prevents the others making
good matches, as her age entitles ber to
precedence, and gentlemen are prevented
from visiting at a house for fear of having
an object of dislike forced upon them.
Moreover, I think Rhoda grows more home
ly every day "
Here the remarks of my sister were
broken in upon unexpectedly. I had. hith
erto, borne all in silence ; but my feeliogs
at this moment, overcame me, and I burst
into an agony of tears and sobbings. Our
mother, who had always appeared to look
upon me vcith ii! concealed dislike, did not
seem affected by this distress, but evident
ly thinking such scenes disgraceful in a
family, she requested Rose in a decided
lone lo "go on with her reading without
any further remark."
Silence being restored, 1 shortly after
wards left the room, and after putting on
my shawl and bonnet, bent my way to a
wood where I knaw I could wander for
hours unmolested. I had many favorite
haunts around my really picturesque home,
and a few moments brought me to a spot
as wild as tho the foot of man bad never
entered it. Here I seated myself on the
long feathery grass at the foot of an old
tree, and gave vent to my feelings without
restraint. Tears exerted a salutary influ
ence in allaying the tumult within, and as
my mind was active, and I was a creature
of the most affectionate impu!ses,I soon re
covered sufficient composure to enable me
to reflect. My sphere was indeed limited,
bnt I had always (bought the welfare of my
fellow mortals an object of interest and du
ty. It had been my pleasure to encourage
the timid, to counsel tbe erring, and lo div
ide my pittance with the destitute. Yet
my heart had grown heavy under the con-
ciousness lhat ihe cold philanthropy of my
family viewed these my good offices with
a sort of sneering contempt. Yet 1 felt that
I must not allow myself to be discouraged ;
the little offices of - kindness it had been in
my power to bestow, had served to keep
my heart green and fresh, and when mis
erable by feeling myself an alien and a
burden at home, the consciousness that
there were some humble souls who never
mentioned my name without coupliog it
with a blessing, carted with it a feeling of
pleasure inexpressibly soothing.
"Ah, if my sisters would but allow me
to love them," I at length audibly exclaim
ed. "But I am resolved that I will on long
er stand in tbe way of their advancement.
It shall not be said that I was the shadow
which kept the sunshine from their young
heads. And softer feelings now gaining
possession ot me, I thought perhaps I real
ly was in the way of their being happily
settled. So after a great deal of reflection
and many inward struggles, I resolved to
make a sacrifice of my own inclinations
for their benefit. I determined, from this
time lorth, lo relinquish all claims upon
society, and endeavor to make myself use
ful to my parents without appearing ia
company more than could possibly be
avoided. I concluded that I would make a
point of reading daily to my father, whose
eyes were beginning lo fail. That, as I
was acknowleged to possess a quick hand,
and ready invention, I would assist my mo
ther in her household labor as she bad re
quested ; and by the time that ail this was
settled in my mind, with a light heart and
springing tread, 1 took the way to John's
collage.
After proceeding a few steps. I turned
into a paih leading into a deep narrow dell)
trees grew oo the sloping side ; and the
little hovel standing at the farther end, 0a
grey gables and lowly roof almost covered
with fern and moss, looked like some wild
bird's nest hid by the skeltering leaves,
Looking io at the door that stood partly
open, 1 saw the kettle hanging over a fire
ol sticks, John's wife seated at her wheel oo
the wide stone hearth, and the twin babies
kicking and crowing in the rude cradle
which John had constructed of tbe rough
,tt-
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