The Humors of Falconbridge: A Collection of Humorous and Every Day ScenesFalconbridge
General
The Humors of Falconbridge: A Collection of Humorous and Every Day Scenes
Falconbridge
American wit and humor
Three family re-unions, three days of Thanksgiving had been held in the
paternal mansion of the Newschools, since Cecelia had left it for the
humble home of the poor artizan. But their several re-unions were
clouded, gloomy, unsocial affairs; there was a gap in the social circle
of the Newschool family, as they met on Thanksgiving day, which all
felt, but none hinted at. It was hard for a parent to invoke blessings
on a portion, but not all, of his own flesh and blood; it was hard to
return thanks for those dear ones present, and _wonder_ whether the
absent and equally dear had aught to be thankful for, whether instead of
health and comfort, they might not be sorrowing in disease, poverty, and
despair! Such things as these, when they obtrude upon the mind, the
soul, are not likely to make merry meetings. And such was the position
and nature of the re-union upon the late Thanksgiving days, at the
Newschool mansion. But better feelings were at work, and a happy change
was at hand.
Several carriages had already drove up to the door of Mr. Newschool,
Sen., and let down the different branches of the Newschool family. A
brighter appearance seemed gathering over the household than was usual
of late on Thanksgiving day, in the old family mansion. As each party
came, the good old mother duly informed them of the invitation given,
and the hope indulged in, that Cecelia and her husband would join the
family circle that day, in their re-union.
The proud sisters seemed willing, at last, to cast away their pride, and
greet their sister as became Christian and sensible women. The brothers,
chagrined at the unmanliness of their conduct, now gladly joined their
approval of what betokened, in fact, a happy family meeting. As the
clock on old South Church tower pealed out eleven, a pretty, smiling
young mother, in plain, but unexceptionable, neat attire, ascended the
large stone steps of the Newschool mansion, with a light and graceful
step, bearing a sleeping child in her arms.
Another moment, and Cecelia Fairway was in the arms of her old mother;
the smiles, kisses and tears of the whole family party were bountifully
showered upon poor Cecelia, and her sweet little daughter. Imagination
may always better paint such a scene, than could the feeble pen describe
it. The deep and gushing eloquence of human nature, when thus long pent,
bursts forth, sweeping the meagre devises of the pen before it, like
snow-flakes before the mighty mountain avalanche.
Oh! it was a happy sight, to see that party at their Thanksgiving
dinner.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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