Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1847-12-22
CHAPTER Y

On board the lake steamer our travel
ldrs found q very charming old lady, who
had resided for some time at the West
and who, with the frankness characteristic
Of that social region, impaired the fruits
OF her obserya alton of settlers life with s
great deal Of yivaeity and good nature -
She happened to- be going to >th e same ho
tel at Detroit, and remained there for Sc
veral days, the acquaintance had become
pretty well ripencd before her son came
with his carriage to take her Home. Al
parting she gave Mr.. and N RS. Austin
and Mary, pressing invita- lion which
they promised to accept before they left
Detroit to return to the city
Detroit, is an exceedingly pleasant
place for q. sojourn. Highly cultivated
society, charming situation, amusements
Of all Sorts music, riding, driving, steal
away the hours before one is aw are 1Ye,
our Mary, instead Of gaining in health
and spirits, evidently declined every day
Tile rosy cheek psled, the bright eye was
too much shaded by its pearIt lid, the
fingers let fail their rings, through the
loss of their pretty roundness Mrs
Austin began to fear that the climate did
not agree with her darling, and urged Mr..
Austin to hasten their retarn home. But
this was not a proper or even l prudent
season for return to the city, and Mr..
Austin proposed first visit-to Mrs Ellie
ry, the pleasant old lady Of the steamer.
So to Mealowbank they went, and found
a farmers paradise-focks, herds, geese,
chickens, turkies, horses, dogs, and last a
good, comfortable, spacious house, we'll
shaded, and within few nome ts Of the
primeyal woods The welcome was in
proportion to all the other album dance.
Mr. and Mrs Austin could not but
find all this very charming for day OF
two, though they were not the sqrt~of PEG
Pile for the country. But Mar Ne7er
was there creature SO happy 1t was
her first sight of unmarried natutc, and all
her troubles tif she had any, we're forgot
ten in the intoxication Of sweet and most
natural pleasure. She rode, she ran, she
climbed fences, she MIXED cows Tor tried
to do it, she fed the chickens till theyIfol-
lowed her in focks. She rambled in the
dense old woods with Mrs Elleyy's chill
dren, from breakfast time till dinner, in
spite of all Mrs Austin's fears of cougars
and rattle snakes. This was evidently the
place for her, whatever it was for her IA
ther and mother, and they we're reluctant
to propose the return for which their souls
were longing. Besides, how to prolong a
visit Of those guests, who must consider
themselves only chance acquaintance Il
1t would never do, and Mary was desired
to prepare for the return to Detroit Here
was sad affair Mary cried heartily,
she could not help it. The love- of trees,
and grass, and thronging domestic crea-
lures, is fountain of pleasure I'd unspoil-
ed hearts. and to Mary this source Of hap
piness was 50 new !.
Fortunately, good Mrs Ellery recded
not the sight Of her young guests tear
stained eyes to impel her to kind urgency
for long visit and when Mr.. and Mrs
Austin could not be prevailed upon, she
begged for Mary until Mr.. Austin was
fam to yield. The idea of leaving Mary
behind could not, st first, be made intelA.
gible to Mrs Austin. The imprudence,
the inter insanity Of trusting child of
that age aloney was too great But her