183 THE CONTRAST. 27 Mr. Crayton shrugged up his shoulders, and commenced humming the tune he always did when he felt determined not to comply with a request of his wife. "Oh, do, mama, go," said Agnes. "Oh, yes, do," responded Isabella. "And let me hold the whip, papa," said George. "Life is all a sunny dream," sung Mr. Crayton, walking up and down the room, stopping occasionally to view himself in a large mirror. "Do go, mama," said the children. "Certainly if your mother wishes." "Father, will you?" "Well, papa, if you will just drive down to Coney's, and let mother get the mantilla, and me a whip, and Agnes and Isabella and Emiele each, one of those embroidered boxes sold at the fair, she will go." "Only hear those sweet coaxers," said his wife, putting her hand in her husband's arm, being determined to get the mantilla, she promenaded the room with him to the great delight of the little ones who followed them. "What a dear little group of love," said Mrs. Crayton. "Come, husband, please us all, and give me the bill I have asked you for, and you will have the sweet consciousness of knowing you have made us all happy.' "Oh, do, papa," cried the children; "it is a beautiful morning, and we want a ride very much.” Mr. Crayton stood for a moment, when, placing his pocket-book in Mrs. Crayton's hand, he yielded to what he did not intend to, with the desire it might eventually do good. "Oh, this is really very good, very kind." Then calling for her hat and shawl, and ordering the children to be ready on their return, Mrs. Crayton gave her hand to her husband, and putting on her sweetest smiles, asked him "if she did not look happy?" Mr. Crayton, with a sigh, replied, “Yes, would it but last—had I any hopes the mantilla would satisfy you; but, as it has ever been the case, this article will only make way for another." Oh, fie, Mr. Crayton, why do you wish to check my vivacity? when you know how very nervous I am. I am almost tempted to be angry with you,” and she cast her eyes with so much tact upon the ground, that her husband, fearing a torrent of meanless words, called aloud for the carriage. * * * * "Your most obedient, Mrs. Crayton; you have come just in time," said the wily tradesman; "five minutes more, and the mantilla would have been sold. There are three ladies now waiting for it." "How very fortunate, my dear," said Mrs. Crayton, turning to her husband, her spirits reviving at the idea of being the purchaser. "I think you said the mantilla was two hundred dollars, or I might have it for that, provided I took the other articles I priced; the pocket-handkerchief thirty, the cap fifteen, and six yards of lace fifty, which makes two hundred and ninety-five. You can take these bills, and hand me the remainder." “Thank you, madam, thank you, but had you not better look at this piece of dark satin? It is partly engaged, I allow," whispering her, "but it is such a good fit for the mantilla, and so becoming to your complexion," holding it up and letting the rich folds fall over her white hands, her taper fingers just peeping from beneath, so as to show the contrast; "partly engaged, I allow, but you have been such a constant customer of mine, that I really feel bound to let you have it if you wish." Mrs. Crayton took up the goods and examined it. It was indeed beautiful, and so soft as not to be susceptible of a pressure. "There is but one like it in town, and that I sold to Judge Laurens's lady. It was not quite as nice as this, and I was fearful she would discover it, for she seemed most inclined to purchase this, but I thought of you, and just slid it one side, and praised the piece she had very highly, that you might, if you wished, take this for yourself. There is only this pattern." Mrs. Crayton wanted the satin; it being superior to Mrs. Laurens's, increased her desire. "Come," said Mr. Crayton, "the children will be waiting for us." "Stop one moment, my dear; do you not think this satin elegant?" Mr. Crayton said nothing, but looked reproachfully at her. "Oh, you see, my dear madam, your husband has no objections; let me do it up for you." "How much is it?" enquired Mrs. Crayton. "Just the remainder of the bills, with the exception of these three quarters, which I will throw in. It is quite a bargain," rolling it up, "quite a bargain, I assure you." "Mr. Crayton, if you have no objections, I will take it." oor. Her husband bit his lip with vexation, and turning away, bent his steps towards the The bundle was placed in the carriage by the delighted shop-keeper, who bowed low at his customer as she ascended the steps; and they drove home in silence-Mr. Crayton offended, and his wife conscious she had gone a step too far, but determined to conceal her feelings. The mantilla had occupied her thoughts both day and night for a long time, but did not meet with her husband's feelings; he seemed from the first opposed to it. She had priced the other articles unbeknown to him, and knew not how he would bear the purchase, but as he had given her more money than she really expected, she presumed to take them. The satin was what she never thought of, but she was taken in the snare of the practised salesman, and could not resist the temptation. She knew her husband had too much honor to deny her in public, and she took the advantage of his situation to her future sorrow. On the steps of their beautiful building stood the children equipped for their ride. "What have you got for me? and for me?" they all cried in a breath, after they were seated. Mr. Crayton looked at his wife, who had been so completely engrossed in her own selfish motives, that she had forgotten the simple requests of her children. "Did you get me a whip?" said George. "I said I wanted a whip, so I could drive the horses?" "Did you buy us the embroidered boxes?" enquired his sisters. "Oh, do let us see them." "What did you expect, Emiele?" said her uncle. "Not any thing." “Well, I declare," exclaimed the heartless Mrs. Crayton, "you alone are not disappointed." "What is this?" said George, taking up the bundle which they omitted leaving at home. 66 'My whip is here, I know." “No, my child, it is not,” said his mother. "I forgot it, but you shall have one." "I want one now, and I will have one now;" and down went the contents of the bundle. "Oh, you image!" said Mrs. Crayton, picking them up. "My mantilla is all unfolded, and my lace undone!" George persisting in searching for the whip, became entangled in the lace, and in extricating himself, tore it in pieces. 66 'Oh, my lace!" exclaimed Mrs. Crayton. "George, you must be whipped. Mr. Crayton, why do you not speak to him?" "He wants his whip," replied his father, "and he is a child.” 29 Mrs. Crayton felt the reproof. The girls helped collect the articles. Mr. Crayton took George upon his knee, and gave him the driver's whip. Thus the difficulties were settled, and the children became composed, when they drove up to Mr. Milnor's dwelling. "Pity peo "I have never seen them in their new habitation," said Mrs. Crayton. ple of so much wealth should be so penurious; no one knows they are alive." "In your circle they may not," replied her husband, "but ask those around them," pointing to the neat white houses on the road. As the carriage drove up the avenue, the children were urged to behave. They were met by Mr. and Mrs. Milnor, and received with much politeness by them both. "You have got a very pretty place," said Mrs. Crayton, astonished at the elegance of the hall and rooms through which they passed. "I believe you have never called upon us before, since we moved," said Mrs. Milnor. "Why, no, I have so many engagements always on hand, that I—” "Come here, Emiele," said Mrs. Milnor, very prudently turning the conversation, in order to relieve the fashionable beauty from framing a wrong excuse. "How do the slips grow Alice sent you?” "Oh, finely; they are so high," raising her hand; "they are as large as those," pointing to a number arranged in a bow window. Agnes and Isabella observing a beautiful geranium in bloom, without thought broke off a large branch. At that moment, Alice and Augusta with their brother entered. "Good morning, my dears," said Mr. Crayton ; "you see I have fulfilled my promise, and brought your young friends to see you.”. "Bless me!" exclaimed Mrs. Crayton, taking the girls by the hand, "how you have grown, and Charles too! why really I am surprised," and a feeling of envy rankled deep in her bosom, as with dignity and ease Charles and his sisters returned her compliments. "Come," said George, "let us go down the lawn.” “Shall we go, dear mother?" enquired Alice and Augusta. "You may; but be careful of the plants." Alice took Emiele's hand, and away they flew-George with his whip, of which he still kept possession. "What have you here?" enquired Mrs. Crayton, whirling over some books on the center-table; "any thing new?" "This is the Patriarch, and this the Christian Family Magazine,” replied Mrs. Milnor; the plates in both are very fine." "Dear me, do you read them? I seldom find time to read, but when I do it is always my two favorites, 'Bulwer' and 'Byron,' and sometimes 'The Lady's Book'— every other appears insipid." "We have a great variety of books; here is Abbott's works, Phillips's writings, and my favorite Cowper." "What are these?" enquired Mrs. Crayton, looking at a few elegant-bound books. "Milton's Paradise Lost-mercy! did you ever read this through?" "Often," replied Mrs. Milnor. "Why, I should think it would take you an age. Is it a late production?" Mrs. Milnor caught Mr. Crayton's eye, who blushed deeply at the ignorance of his wife. "Johnson's Rasselas, Montgomery's Poems, Rogers, Campbell, Henry Kirk Whitewhy really, these are quite new, but I should never find time to read them;" and laying them down, she walked to a window. "It is very lonesome out here, is n't it?" "By no means," replied Mrs. Milnor, "our time is all occupied." "Who are your teachers now?" "Mrs. Milnor is the principal one," said her husband. "Mercy! you teach your children? I should never have patience; I am always rejoiced when school commences. But pray how do you employ your time?" "It would take sometime to make you acquainted with my form of managing. Shall we walk out and meet the children?" "Oh, yes, for it is nearly time for us to go." "Why will you not spend the day? you surely cannot be lonely with our husbands and the children." Mrs. Crayton plead an engagement, and they proceeded down the lawn. Charles and Alice were busily engaged in arranging the pots of flowers, some of which were overthrown, and the branches broken. At the same moment came Agnes and Isabella, followed by George with his whip in his hand. In his haste he threw down a beautiful verbena, and broke the pot which contained it. "You have made sad work, my children," said Mr. Crayton, very much chagrined and trying to replace them. "Oh, they are nothing but children," said his wife; "I know Mrs. Milnor will forgive him." "But he has broken another," said Agnes. "No I did n't-'t was you," he replied, with a stroke of the whip. "Come, come," said his mother, "you are crazy, I believe. Really, Mrs. Milnor, you have such a fine yard, the children are like birds let out of a cage; we brought them out for liberty, and they do so enjoy it " "Shall we return," said Mr. Crayton, extremely grieved. "Oh, don't go," cried the children, "we want to stay longer." Mrs. Crayton, anxious to see her new purchase, told them they must. On returning to the house, they visited the music-room, which contained an elegant organ, harp and piano. A spacious library of the best authors was connected with it. At Mr. Crayton's request, Alice played a few tunes on the piano. Mrs. Crayton's heart died within her as she listened to the enrapturing strains of the mingled voices of each member of the family accompanying Alice as she swept the notes with her fairy hand. Mrs. Milnor ordered refreshments, and the children without ceremony enjoyed the banquet. Strawberries, raspberries, cream and cake disappeared under their touch, like dew in the sunlight. "Will you come again, and see your young friends?" enquired Mrs. Milnor. "Yes, ma'am," replied George, if you will give us more of your nice fruit." "I wish I could stay now," said Emiele. "Do you, my dear?" enquired Mrs. Milnor? you may." "Can I stay, my dear aunt?" "If your uncle and aunt are willing, Certainly, if you wish, and Mr. and Mrs. Milnor request you." "Let her remain, if you please, and we will send for whatever she needs." "Good morning;" and George led the way to the carriage with his whip. Mrs. Milnor soon arranged her flowers and books. After a few orders to the servants, she entered the recitation-room. My dear Emiele, as you have expressed a wish to remain with us, you must submit to the rules of the school, and if you please can study with the girls. Would you like to ?" "Oh, yes, very much." "Well, here is a geography, globes, atlases, &c. Your first lesson will be on this page. Have you ever studied geography ?” 187 THE EARLY DEAD. 31 "I have a little; I like it much, but aunt says it is too hard for my cousins, and not very necessary." “Have you studied grammar?” "Yes, ma'am, and can parse very well, but aunt says that it is a dry study, and we must be older before we can understand either." "You must see, my dear, what proficiency you can make here." "I will show you," said Charles, who was older than his sisters. "You must not think you are too young to learn any of the branches my children study. You must be patient, and be willing to be taught, and apply yourself closely." The evening closed with reading a chapter in the Cottage Bible with the notes, singing a hymn, in which all joined, including the servants, each with his book, and a prayer offered by Mr. Milnor, whose grateful heart arose in humble thanksgiving to God for his mercies. After Emiele retired to rest, she thought how differently her aunt managed from Mrs. Milnor; she could not sleep, the idea of returning home was so painful. At her uncle's, all was noise and confusion. Continued calls occupied most of her aunt's time, either in making or receiving them. She paid but little attention to her children, who were often ill-natured if restrained by their governess, and out of patience with their teachers if they exacted a perfect lesson, flew with every little complaint to their mother, who, fatigued with continued excitement, stilled them, by saying she would write an excuse. All the efforts of their teachers for their improvement were thus rendered abortive. The parents were remiss, the children petulant and ungoverned, and they permitted them to take their own way, satisfied with the salary allowed them. They were pleased with Emiele, and took much pleasure in instructing her. But it was in vain to keep up any regular system in the school, it being continually interrupted by calls to ride, to see particular friends, &c. Thus their education was neglected. To be concluded in our next. Original. THE EARLY DEAD. BY MRS. M. H. MAXWELL. FAR down that dell, a thousand streamlets flow, And whose deep shade is like the impervious gloom That broods in silent grandeur o'er the tomb. Far down that dell a lowly grave is seen Is lightly twined. And there He sleeps, |