“Full many a flower that’s born to blush unseen,And waste its sweetness on the desert air,”
“Full many a flower that’s born to blush unseen,And waste its sweetness on the desert air,”
“Full many a flower that’s born to blush unseen,And waste its sweetness on the desert air,”
“Full many a flower that’s born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness on the desert air,”
for the girl did not resemble a flower so much as a hardy, pine sapling of her native mountains. No; that look, strength, intellect, and self-balance—in a word—that look ofPOWER, suggested rather—girlas she was—
“Some village Hampden with undaunted breast.* * * * *Some mute inglorious Milton, * * *SomeCromwellguiltless of his country’s blood.”
“Some village Hampden with undaunted breast.* * * * *Some mute inglorious Milton, * * *SomeCromwellguiltless of his country’s blood.”
“Some village Hampden with undaunted breast.* * * * *Some mute inglorious Milton, * * *SomeCromwellguiltless of his country’s blood.”
“Some village Hampden with undaunted breast.
* * * * *
Some mute inglorious Milton, * * *
SomeCromwellguiltless of his country’s blood.”
Itwasa Maria Theresa face without the wickedness.
Captain Clifton’s physiognomical studies were interrupted by the abrupt starting of Frank, who exclaimed vehemently—
“Beaten in four games! Now, that’s what I call outrageous! Don’t you know, my dear fellow, that there are three persons in the world who should never be beaten—a guest, a woman, and a monarch?”
Carl laughed and chuckled, and beating the draught-board tambourine-like above his head in triumph, carried it off and put it away.
The whole party then arose to retire. Carl took the candle and showed his guests up into the loft and left them to repose.
“Now where will that child sleep, for we have got her room?” asked Frank, with concern, as soon as they were alone.
“Oh-h!” replied Captain Clifton, indifferently, “anywhere—on a pallet—perhaps, down stairs.”
“But the old man and the young one—”
“Oh-h!” again drawled Clifton, in a bored tone, “if you expect to meet with refinement among the mountain people, you will be disappointed.”
Long after the travellers had laid down to rest, they heard the sound of footsteps moving about in the room below. They moved quietly and cautiously, as if fearful of disturbing the guests; but, as I said before, all sounds, even the lowest, could be distinctly heard through that shell of a house.
On awaking the next morning, the young men found their own clothes well cleaned, dried, and pressed, ready for them to put on.
“Ah, ha!” said the sagacious Frank, “that is what the poor girl was at work at so late last night.”
On going down stairs they found the lower room neatly arranged, and breakfast ready for them—hot coffee, corn pone, hot rolls, rashers of fried bacon, eggs, potatoes, etc.And there, in the arm-chair, in a clean homespun suit, sat the old man, looking as calm, as self-possessed, as noble and venerable as a Roman senator. He arose and bowed to the gentlemen, and offered his chair to one of them.
No wonder it bowed the young girl’s head with grief and shame—it pained and humbled even these strangers, to know that this most reverend white-haired patriarch was often transformed by drunkenness into the beast! It was a disease, Kate had often said, wringing her hands with anguish, while seeing his degradation.
Itwasa disease, and never till vice is treated as such, will an effectual remedy be applied.
Immediately after breakfast, the gentlemen took leave of the family, and mounted their horses to pursue their journey. Frank, in the thoughtless kindness of his heart, would have offered the poor people some remuneration for their entertainment, but Clifton, who knew the habits and feelings of the mountaineers better, arrested a purpose that might have given offence. But on parting with Carl Kavanagh, Captain Clifton expressed his thanks for the hospitality that had been extended to himself and friend—adding, that if he could then, or at any time, in any manner, be of use to his kind host, he should be happy to serve him, etc., etc. To this the young man replied—
“I thank you, sir. I know Captain Clifton by report, and feel that I can trust to his generosity. I have a heavy care—my young sister. If you could hear of a place at service for her among the honorable ladies of your family or acquaintance, I should feel very grateful indeed, sir.”
Captain Clifton kindly gave his promise to make inquiries. Frank again shook hands with Carl, bowed to Kate, nodded to the old man through the window, and then the travellers turned from the door of the mountain hut, cantered briskly up the glen, and took the road toWhite Cliffs.