The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1851-09-18
THE PICNIC,
Ortiz Young Lady soho aoas not Puntual.
(Continued.)

1t was a week before Alton could feel in
lust the frame of mind to visit Anna Mil
nor. Five minutes passed in her presence
was sufficient to dispel all unpleasant i'm
pressions that her conduct had produced
There was a charm in her person, mind
and manners, that thoroughly captivated
him. He was again constant visitor.
AS for Anna, she waited only declara-
ton from her lover. Her heart was fully
his. But he was not quite ready to make
that declaration. Alton had cool head
as well as warm heart. He was orderly
in his habits, and regulated his conduct in
life upon fixed principles. In choosing a
wife he could not permit himselfto be gov
erned entirely by his feelings. He saw
that Anna had defects of character-and
one defect that, in his estimation, would
have very important bearing upon his flu
ture happiness. Before advancing step
farther he determined to see how deeply
seated that defect lay, and whether there
was any hope of its being corrected.
81 will call for you next Sunday morn
ing" said he to her one day, "and walk
with you to church."
81 shall be very happy to have your
company" was the reply.
Il will now see," he said to himself,
how deeply seated lies this want of punct-
uality. Surely, she will regard the orderly
observance of external worship too highly
to permit herself to be moment too late.
Anna Minor could not be guilty of distur-
bing worshiping assembly by entering
church after the services have begun"
Half-past ten was the hour for service
to commence.
"Do, Anna," said Mrs. Minor, as the
family arose from the breakfast-table on
the next Sunday morning, "try and get
ready in time to 60 with your father and
myself to church. 1 am really tired at
your want of punctuality in this matter"
ooh, never fear," returned the daugh-
ter, 81 shall be ready. There is plenty
of time"
$50 you always say. Go, and begin to
dress now"
"Dress now! Why it's only eight o.
clock. 1 can get ready in half an hour at
farthest. You won't start before ten."
Saying this, Anna took her little BROTH
er in her arms and commenced sporting
with him. An hour after, Mrs. Minor
heard her voice in the parlor.
"Anna, dear, do begin to dress for
church," she called down to her.
cts only nine o'clock, mother. There
is plenty of time. III be ready as soon as
you are"
81 declare, it's half past nine o'clock,
and that thoug ghtless girl hasn't gone up to
her chamber yet" the mother said, as she
heard the clock strike the half hour
|" Anna, do 60 up and dress yourself. 1
am out of all patience with you"
"I'll be ready now, before you WILL"
the daughter replied as she bounded up
stairs. A new dress had come on the eve
ming before. 1t was not to be worn that
day. But as she had not yet tried it on
she felt desire to do SO, and ascertain its
fit. There was plenty Of time to dress for
church. So she tried on the dress. There
was some defect about it. Certain folds,
somewhere did not lie just to her taste.-
These she adjusted and re-adjusted over
and over again. But they were incorrigi-
BILE. While thus engaged, she was arous-
ed by the voice of her mother.
Gamma, come, it is just ten, and we are
all ready to start"
"Don't wait for me, mother. / will be
along in little while. Mr.. Alton is going
to call for me-" returned the daughter,
startled to find that it was so late, and hur-
riedly taking off the new dress.
In about ten minutes afterward Mr. Al
ton rang the bell.
"Tell him I'll be along in few min
utes," was sent down by the servant who
brought her word of his arrival.
Five, ten, fifteen minutes passed, but
the young lady had not yet appeared.