ened her elastic form exultingly.
"And you, too, little one, are growing up strong and tall and
better-looking than you used to be," she continued, patting my cheek
carelessly. "The Jewish gaberdine is gradually dropping off; I mean the
dinginess of your early complexion. By the time I have had my successful
career, and am settled in life, yours will begin. Help me now, and I
will help you then."

"You are only a school-girl," I said, sententiously. "You had better be
thinking of your lessons, and let beaux and diamonds alone. I would be
ashamed to keep a key to my exercises and sums, as you do. I would
blush in the dark to do such a thing."

"I am not preparing myself for a governess, that I should make a point
of honor of such things, little pragmatical prig that you are; nor are
you, that I know of. You will always have plenty of money. 'Rich as a
Jew' is a proverb, you know, all the world over."

The taunt had long since lost its sting; so I replied, meekly:

"We none of us know what may happen. I should like to be able to support
myself and Mabel, if the worst came. Old Mr. Stanbury says all property
is uncertain nowadays, especially in this country."

"Oh, don't repeat what that old croaking vulgarian and general leveller
and democrat says, to me! A democrat is my aversion, anyhow. I wonder
papa, can tolerate that coarse old Jackson man in his sight. 'Adams and
the Federal cause forever,' say I; and all aristocratic people are on
that side. I never enjoyed any thing so much as our illumination when
Mr. Clay gave his casting vote, and carried Congress. The Stanbury house
was as dark as a grave that night; but Norman was in our interest, and I
made him halloo 'Hurrah for Adams!' That was a triumph, at all events.
It nearly killed the old gentleman, though."

"If I were a man, _I_, too, would vote for General Jackson," I
said defiantly. "He was such a brave soldier; he could defend our
country if it was attacked again. Besides, I like his face better than
old moon-faced Adams; and I despise Norman for his time-serving."

"Miriam, I shall tell papa if you utter such sentiments again; you know
how devoted he is to the Federal party, and you ought to be ashamed of
yourself."

"That is just because Mr. Bainrothe over-persuaded him. He used to
admire General Jackson. I heard him say once, myself, he would be the
people's choice, next time."

"I thought you accused Mr. Bainrothe of toadying papa. Where, now, is