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

within himself to keep the carriage within
his eye, till it arrived at its final place Of
destination. For this purpose he struck
into brisk walk, making his speed nearly
equal to that of the lazy horses. In a
minute or two the carriage stopped before
a stationer's shop, which enabled him to
come up with it. AS he walked past it,
he obtained another glimpse OF the thick
veil, but whether it contained face hand
some or ugly, remained still a a-profound
mystery. With little dexterous manoe-
uvring, he was able to keep sight of the
carriage without his object becoming ap-
parent, till it drew up before an elegant
mansion in Summer street. Hero the la
dy alighted, though without throwing
back ner veil. Her figure was very fine,
but her dress was so long that he could
not come to any satisfactory conclusion
about the slipper. 1t subsequently hap
pened that he frequently had occasion to
pass through Summer street. One morn
ing as he was strOlling leisurly along by
the house, which to him, constituted the
chief point of attraction, he was overta-
ken by young man of his acquaintance.
You seem to be taken with the ele-
gance of this mansion" said he, " are you
going to build on the same plan ?"
"I was looking at those beautiful
plants" replied Percy, stammering and
changing color.
They are, indeed beautiful. The la
dy or ladies of the house must have fine
taste for cultivating flowers"
Another gentleman by the name of
Hanson, joined them in season to hear
the last remark.
"You arc admiring Miss Floyd's flow
ers, fnd," said he.
"Floyd," repeated Percy, eagerly, "is
Floyd the name of the lady who resides
here 90
$50 have been informed"
"Have you never seen her %
"No, but l have seen her brother"
"Well, what of him ? How old is he
how does he lock 90
GAS it is impossible to answer three
questions at once, will take them in the
order you put them. He is. l understand,
native of one of the Northern States,
which he left at youthful age for New
Orleans, where he entered into business,
and in the course of twenty-five years
residence, amassed splendid fortune,
which he intends to enjoy in our own good
city. He is, as near as l can judge, about
forty five, and is what may be called, il
not handsome, remarkably good looking" F"
"Sister to a man of forty fve," thought
Percy. "She may possibly, though not
probably, be of the youthful age of thir-
ty, or thirty five, and have been keeping
her slipper in rosewood box, and have
contemplated it with as much devotion as
Pagan would one of his little deities, be-
sides which, have managed to get seve-
raj peeps at it during the day"
Just as he had finished this mental soli-
loquy, Mr.. Floyd and the lady appeared
at the door of the mansion. AS She now
wore no veil, Percy obtained full view
of her face, which appeared as if it had
been visited by airs of fifty instead of tif-
teen summers. which he had fixed in his
own mind as the probable age of one who
could wear so small and symmetrical a
slipper
''I forgot to mind her foot" said he
rousing himself from the reverie into
which he had fallen, at the sight of the
antiquated damsel on whom he had la
Wished so many thoughts in vain.
you have deprived yourself OF nc
great pleasure, imagine" said Hanson
laughing at the serious air of Percy, "in
| forgetting to look at a woman's foot who
is fifty or sixty years old; but promised
to meet my friend Frazier at eleven, and
it lacks only five minutes of the hour
The three now separated, and Percy
directing his steps to Washington street
fell in with Mr.. -
"Since last saw you, Percy" said he,
&c have ascertained the name of the lady
in the carriage which stopped at my store
the other day, when you were present
1t is Floyd, and she is the -"
At that moment boy whom he had
sent to the post office, met him, and pre-
scnted him with several letters. Glanc-
ing his eye on them "Ah," said he,
here is the very letter was wishing for
Had it failed to come, it would have been
hundred dollars damage to me-" and
forgetting the Floyds, he bowed to Percy
and FASTENED to his store in order TO pc
rGse his letter.
"I will give you the beautiful slipper"
said Percy to his sister, when he returned
home, {" for l have had sight of the
owner, and she looks old enough to be
our grandmother, and is so ugly-Aunt
Peg, the herb woman, is beauty to
her.
"Thank you for your generosity" re-
piled Harriet, laughing.
81 have heard you talk great dea
about beauty. of late, Charles" said hi;
mother, " and in such manner as if you
thought personal attractions of the frs
consideration. l hope when You come tc
choose wife, it will not be solely for hel
beauty" :,
"I cannot say, mother, that 1 should
like to marry woman who was not beau
tiful."
"Yet. trust you will not let beauty