The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1846-09-10

IShe read to him, she sang to him, with the
graceful accompaniment of Spanish guitar
on which she was no mean performer; she
shook up his cushions, kept OF the flies with
a fresh branch, split and buttered his muffin
with her rosy-tipped fingers and "performed
to point" all those charming little attentions
which are SO soothing to the convalescenf.
She was so unwearied that the old demon
began again 10 whisper 10 Mr. Greenleaf--
Sha has guessed at the establishment" But
he would not listen this time Jeannie's
arllessness, aided by those clear, honest eyes,
could have neutralized the spells OF Mephis-
tophies himself. ii1 51lA ,s9tg lssts
A, length not shadow ofapology for re-
naming longer al Mrs Retford's was left,
and Mr.. Greenleaf with many regrets, pre-
pared for his return 10 town. He would
have been glad to live on SO forever-an
bonored guest, Hospitality entertained and
made quite comfortable, in a common way,
by the old lady, while for the thousand indie
scribable essential trifes, there was a fairy
hand-maiden ever at bis side, whose minis
tratons were delightful 10 him, and whose
very presence seemed to fill the room with
sunshine. 1f1l n
To be sure, he experienced no palpita-
tions; he seldom sighed, except when he
was rubbing the specific upon his head, and
he slept perfectly we'll whether Jeannie was
at home or not "But then" he said to him
self, sail that is nonsense! fused 10 have
guch feeling, but Ihave grown wiser. 4 love
this sweet girl as if she was my daughte.
even now; her countenance beams upon me
like the face ofan old friend. Hheigho! if
| had a daughter like herI would never mar
ry, and that would please Mrs. Wilson bet
ter than anything else.n lti. algY
He forgot in his cogitation TO ask himself,
among other questions, whether twas prob
able that beautiful girl Of seventeen would
marry man old enough to be her father.-
He had SO complete conviction that .wo-
men, like moths, are ever caught by glare,''
that he thought it no dsrespect to the sex
to take it for granted. a g
| When bachelor looks down upon matri-
mony from the awful height Of FIVE and forty,
be may be excused for shrinking little at
the leap; and il was with no small amount
Of trepidation that Mr.. Greenleaf sought a
private interview with Mrs. Retford to dis
close his amiable designs upon Jeannie.-
But the matter once broached he recovered
his habitual fuency, and laid before the good
I lady his worldly situation with some compla-
cency, assuring her there was no person who
had any claims upon him except sisters
son, whom he intended to provide an outfit
|injlife. ga sgnI go g5 & esq
Mrs. Retford seemed a little embarrassed,
hinied at disparity of ages, declared there.
was no answering for young girls fancies,
hut said shewould consult JEANNE, and if
she wished, lay the matter before her moth
er. 8i ta NsHr1 N UH $3.50 gw
"Her mothera" exclaimed Mr.. Greenleaf.
H"Has she mother living?"
aOh, certainly; alady in your city. whom
/ dare say you may meet. The marriage
was most uniortunate--so much SO that poor
Jeannie has never known her father, who is
voluntary ontcast in one of the southern
cities My daughter, unwilling 10 endure
the odium Of a divorce, has always been
afraid that her miserable husband might re-
turn some day and claim the child, con6ded
her 10 me, and she has been brought up in
seclusion, as you see."
3 aShe is not then likely to have formed any
attachmentg said Mr.. Greenleaf, confident
ly. a21 aar
aWhy, as to that,'' said Mrs RetfoId, II
am scarcely qualified to reply AS l obser-
we'd to you, one can never count upon young
girls fancies. To tell you the truth, there
has been young gentleman about this
neighborhood that ! thought JEANNE favor
ed. He brought US letter Of introduction
from her mother" !.
"a letter9 What was his name, pray!!''
said Mr.. Greenleaf, with suddenly awaken
ed curiosity. ~
ssiS Everts- George Eyeris, /" said the old
lady. F,.a
.My ynepbew! And the lady who gave
him the letter?n &sagls
ssMrs, Armour" ssgas5
Mr.. Gfeenleaf stood like one transfxed. -
He saw through everything past, present
and fnture--and he was ablasted with excess
oflight.n Jeannie was Mrs. Armour's daugh-
ter--ergo, Mrs. Armour, being a married
woman, could never have had any designs
upon him or his establishment. Jeannie had
seen and liked George Eyerts, and therefore
was very unlikely to have laid any snares for
George Evert's uncle. Yet, after having
received SO much kindness from two women
whom he was thus forced to believe disinter-
ested, the cruel fates put them both out OF
bis reach. AT least so he concluded, for the
old lady's manner betrayed that she knew,
more about Jsannie's liking for George Ev-
erts than her words alone would have indi-i
Gated.
Our bachelor friend was very low-spirited,