Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-07-07

as Margaret Boyle has, who possesses, 1t
is said, thorough knowledge of solid, as
well as the showy branches" 2
K" You seem to overlook the domestic
part of girls education which must be
acquired at home, in the room of our best
schools, yet 1 dare say, that you would
rather sit down to good breakfast on q
keen morning in January, than watch
your wife while solving problem in Eu-
cid, or listening to her while playing the
most ravishing air on the harp or piano.
forte"
Undoubtedly, but 1 should not ex-
pect the labor of preparing my breakfast
to devolve on my wife,"
No, but it might sometimes so happen
as to make it necessary for her to super
intend its preparation, which she could
not do without some practical knowledge
of the culinary art"
According to your idea, mother, l
know of but Just one girl in the world,
who has good education, and that is my
pretty sister here; therefore see moth
ing for me but to remain bachelor"
Harriet, who had silently listened to
the foregoing conversation, now took the
opportunity to inform her brother, that
during his absence, Mrs. Leavitt had sent
an invitation for them to attend select
party that evening, and that her mother
and she had concluded to accept it, if he
would go with them.
"Oh, shall go of course" he replied,
'' for the Leavitts are great favorites of
NINE"
When Mrs. Percy her son anddaugh-
ter arrived at Mrs. Leavitt's, most of the
company had already assembled. They
had been there only few minutes, when
Mr.. and Miss Floyd were announced.
"Look here, Mr.. Percy" said Marga-
ret Boyle, "and sec what you think of
Grace Floyd, the lady from New Or
leans"
"Oh, have seen her already, and she
looked more like Fury than Grace"
added he, mentally, at the same moment
turning to answer some question of ano-
ther lady.
"Mr. Percy, who can those strangers
be ?2 said the lady who had just claimed
his attention.
He followed the direction Of her eyes,
and beheld Mr.. Floyd, with young and
exceedingly lovely girl leaning on his
Her dark, lustrous eyes, with their long,
dropping lashes, would of themselves al
most atone for the absence of all other
beauty, but her complexion was of that
clear and delicate kind which frequently
accompanies dark eyes and very
dark hair, and her small, rosy
mouth, was full of the sweetest ex-
preston. Her form, which was slight
and perfectly symmetrical, was attired in
an elegant simple dress, and the hem OF
her robe rested on the instep of the small
est, and most beautiful foot in the world.
Percy was so absorbed in the cOntempla-
ton of the lovely vision SO unexpectedly
presented to his view, that he forgot to an
swer his fair intcrrogater, till she repeated
her question. He sought an early oppOr-
tunity to be introduced to her, and before
the evening was half spent, was com
pletely enthralled by the fair enGhantress.
Mrs. Percy, too, was so won by her ami
able and unassuming manners, that she
could not help secretly fearing that even
her cool judgment might be imperceptibly
biassed, especially when she took into
view the unequalled loveliness of her per-
son. AS for Harriet, her admiration of
her was only second to her brother
From that evening, Percy and Grace
Floyd frequently met. and he soon had
the felicity of feeling assured that he was
the most favored of the votaries that knelt
at her shrine. Mrs. Percy watched the
progress of the affair with considerable
anxiety, as no gifts or attainments could,
in her mind, atone for the absence of that
domestic knowledge, which, although not
apparent to every age, must be the toun-
tain head whence emanate those streams
of comfort in the desert of life. 1t was
most probable, that deprived of her mo-
ther in her infancy, nurtured in an en-
ervating climate, and surrounded
by every luxury which whim could
any caprice of fortune. deprive her of
wealth, she did not conceal these reflec-
tions from her son, but when did a young
man of twenty five, deeply enamored with
beautiful and fascinating woman, permit
the caution of maturer years to weigh
against the vivid and glowing picture OF
happiness painted by his own imagination?
In six weeks from the evening he first
saw her, he was the accepted lover OF
Grace Floyd, and in few weeks more
they were welded.
Never did a young couple enter upon
this most serious and important era of life,
under happier auspices. Percy inherited
an ample fortune, independent of his mo-
ther and his lovely bride, who received
from her father, as a marriage dover, If
ty thousand dollars, and would, if she
survived him, be the sole heiress of his
immense wealth, he having already Sc
cured to his sister, Miss Persis Floyd, an
annuity of one thousand dollars a year.
AS Percy had recently engagaged in
extensive, and what were deemed very
profitable speculations, Grace wished him
: 10 ;rnrnnsn h;s canital hu the addition OF