Joseph and His Friend

thal, which then almost seemed like a fetter upon his future, now gave him a sense of freedom and strength. He would have gone to Warriner's at once, but for the fear lest he should betray him

epeat their mutual delight, with an exquisite sense of liberty in doing so. Miss Blessing suggested that nothing should be said until she had acquainted her parents with the engagement; there might be some natura

ma and sister Clementina; but pa is sometimes a little peculiar, on account of his connections. There! don't look so serious, all

and, don't like the idea of giving me up. I can hardly say it without seeming to praise myself; but Clementina never took very kindly to housekeeping and managing, and even if I were only indifferent in those branches, I should be missed. It really went to my heart when ma

st of his sales of stock and grain, and he found no difficulty in inventing a plausible reason for the journey. The train at the nearest railway station transported him i

ure like his, the last knowledge that comes is the knowledge of self. Some occult instinct already whispered that his life thenceforth would be stronger, more independent, but also more disturbed; and this was what he had believed was wanting. If the consciousness of loving and being loved were not quite the sa

ricks were slowly swinging over the sides the bales and boxes which had been brought up from the holds; drays were clattering to and fro: wherever he turned he saw a picture of strength, courage, reality, solid work. The men that went and came took life simply as a succession of facts, and if these did not fit smoothly into each other, they either gave themselves no trouble about the rough edges, or drove them out of sight with a few sturdy blows. What Lucy Henderson had said about going t

usband, and still so much of a green youth! It will never do. I must learn to handle my duty as that stevedore handles a barrel,—take h

and decaying oranges at every corner; dark wenches lowered the nozzles of their jetting hose as he passed, and girls in draggled calico frocks turned to look at him from the entrances of gloomy tunnels leading into the back yards. A man with something in a cart uttered from time to time a piercing unintelligible cry; barefooted young

plainly as if the words had been painted on their fronts, "Here we keep up appearances on a very small capital." He noticed nothing, however, except the marble steps and the front doors, all of which were alike to him until he came upon

ps received a subdued kiss. "Hush!" she said; "it is delightful that you have arrived, though we didn't e

m, and they were presently se

ndow just at that moment?" she whispe

was long on the way," he answered. "What will

d. "It is only the cold, insensibl

ness. The next instant her long lashes slowly fell and half concealed them; she drew away slightly

rose and moved towards the door, the

on which lay several sheets of music by Verdi and Balfe. The furniture, not very abundant, was swathed in a nankeen summer dress. There were two pictures on the walls, portraits of a gentleman and lady, and when once Joseph had caught the fixed stare of their lustreless eyes, he found it difficult to turn away. The imperfect light which came through the bowed window-shutters revealed a florid, puffy-faced young man, whose head was held up by a high black satin stock. He was leaning against a fluted pillar, a

hin and long, with well-marked and not unpleasant features. There was rather too positive a bloom upon her cheeks, and the fixed smile on the narrow mouth scarcely harmonized with the hard, serious s

were strangers, out of a different sphere of life, yet they must become, nay, were already, a part of his own! The lady scrutinized him cl

the original of one of the portraits. He recognized her, although the curls had disappeared, the dark hair was sprinkled with gray, and deep li

as Joseph rose, walked past Julia, an

glad to see you

tion. You must consider that I have only known you through Julia, and her des

-three next birthd

nd am therefore reassured to know that you are fully a man and competent to test your feelings. I trust that you have s

er hands and be

h said, "and would try to make you

re not so competent as once to judge of men in general. While I will never, without the most sufficient reason, influence my daughters in their choice, it is my duty to te

was moved, and vainly racked his brain for some form

we will say no more about it n

his field of duty. As you were not positively expected to-day, he went to the Custom-House as usual; but it will soon be time for him to return. Official labors, you understand, cannot be postponed. If you

han the words she uttered, could only say, "I beg that my vi

d to the future of our little girl. I call her so, Mr. Asten, because she is the youngest, and I can hardly yet realize that she is old enough to leave me. Yes: the youngest, and the fir

ach eye, then heaved a sigh, and resumed her usual calm dignity of m

Blessing," s

ting, but Joseph had already risen and extended his hand. She thereupon gave h

in his portrait on the wall; yet there was a bloom and brilliancy about her complexion which suggested beauty. A faint expression of curiosity passed over her face, on meeting Joseph, but she uttered no word of welcome. He looked at Julia, wh

sweetness which startled Joseph, it seemed so at variance with her face and manner. He felt very much relieved when, after more than one significant glance had been exchanged with her mother, the two arose a

med rather formal to you, and it is true that a certain amount of form has become natural to her; but it always gives way when she is strongly moved. Pa is to come yet, but I am sure you will

," said Joseph, "a

ust say for Clementina, that she is above personal likings and dislikings; she looks at people abstractly. You are only a futur

"I am all the more delighted," he said, "that you are different

very individual," she answered,

heard the click of a latch-key. She sprang up, laid her forefinger on her lips, gave Joseph a swift, significant glance, and

had lost its rigid lift, and expressed the chronic cordiality of a popular politician. There was a redness about the rims of his eyes, and a fulness of the under lid, which also denoted political habits. However, despite wrinkles, redn

Asten," said the latter. "

ling gray locks, and then threw himself into a chair, exclaiming: "After business, pleasure, sir! My duties are over for the day. Mrs. Blessing probably informed

"that an official position carr

nation—but I will not pursue the subject. When we have become better acquainted, you can judge for yourself whether preferment always follows capacity. Our present business is to establis

lthough I am a stranger to you, you will accept m

he disparity of age and experience between us. I can hardly ask you to imagine yourself placed in my situation, but perhaps we can make the case quite

, and slipped out o

, I should consider it my first duty to enlighten those parents upon all these points. I should reflect that the lady must be removed from their sphere to mine; that, while the attachment was, in itself, vital

ing you—at least, I came hoping that I shall be able to do so—in

ersonal qualities, virtues. It is indifferent to me whether my original ancestor was a De Belsain (though beauty and health have always been family characteristics); but it is important that he tra

her came from England more than a hundred years ago: that is all I posit

ans. But we will let that pass. Julia informs me you are the owner of a handsome farm, yet I am so ignorant of values in the country,—and my offi

tion of the place would be a hundred and thirty dollars an acre. There is a mortgage of five thousand dollars on the place, the

coat, "that is not a great deal here in the city, but I dare say it is a handso

ought to yield, after supplying nearly all the wants of a family, an annua

d knew how to operate with it, you might pocket ten—fifteen—twenty per cent. Many a man, with less than tha

income is certain. If Julia were not so fond of the country, and already so fami

or your sake, it may last; for I see that you are determined to suit each other. I have no inclination to act the obdurate parent. You have