Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-10-05

The Manor-house was some two miles
from the village, by the road which ran
on the opposite side of the GWallawan ri.
yer. and curved round the. long hills and
the bend of the stream. until it reached
the town. Across the mountain it was a
much shorter but more tedious route.
An avenue of most luxuriant horse
chestnut trees led from the river bridge
to the house which was itself nearly en-
powered in thick green foliage.
Close to high and mullioned win
dow, stood huge willow. through whose
plant branches the storm king was tear
ing with mad fury. anon whirling them
high in air, now bending them to the
dust. as he swept on his stormy course
Against the easement which it guarded,
the old tree rubbed its wounded limbs
with sort of moan. as if it were asking
for sympathy from those who loved il
within. But only a ray of light streamed
out through the small window panes, and
the willow moaned in vain.
Within the room. young girl of ap-
parently eighteen years sat upon low
seat by the FIRE. looking earnestly into the
Goals. Her sunny hair was swept freely
back from her broad. intelligent brow,
and fell in long curls over her shoulders.
A pair of gentle blue eyes looked softly
out from beneath the long. dark lashes.
like stars from the rim of some cloud
Her rosy under lip was pressed tightly
under the upper teeth. displaying the
bright contrast of coral and pearl. and
her whole attitude was expressive OF
deep thought not entirely unmingled with
detection. A newspaper lay on her lap.
as though she had been reading, and half
forgotten she was doing so. She sudden
ly rose. and approaching bed which
stood in one corner of the room. drew
aside the curtain, and bent noiseiessly.
almost breathlessly. above the sleeper
The form which lay there was much ema-
eIated, and the rayages of disease and
sorrow. rather than age, marked the high
pale brow and suaBen cheek.
Thick tears gathered in the eyes and
rolled slowly down the cheeks of Alice
Freeland, as she thus bent over her mo-
ther. A sigh burst from her lips as She
turned away; then, da>hiug the tears
from her eyes. she clasped her small
hands thoughLfully before her, aud again
approached the hre.
Eyes, will do it,'' said she firmly,
while new light came into her eyes,
Il can but fail. The editor offers gene
rous prize; tits worth the labor, and at
least will make the effort.''
The sleeper seemed reused by Alice's
murmuring tones, and low voice came
from the curtained bed.
"Alice." it said, "Alice, my child, why
do you sit up? Is it not late ? How the
old willows moan tonight, I've heard
that it was always an omen of trouble for
the manor, and I've marked it my self, in
my day; but iL's fancy. of course-all
fancy; you mustn't get to believing such
stuff, child. Come, Alice, it's too late
for you to be writing there
And the invalid turned wearily on her
couch, as she thus half soliloquized, half
addressed her child.
''Pm not writing, mother" replied
Alice, in cheerful tone. &c Pm only
thinking. But here is something wish
to read to you"
And, lifting the paper, Alice read aloud
an offer of three hundred dollars for the
best story of hundred pages, to be sent
to New England paper within given
time.
..Well % asked her mother. as she f.
nished reading.
..Well,' said Alice with smile, ''I am
going to join the list of competitors. 1
have never written story of any length.
but NAV succeed as well as some 9TH
ers. o, if only had acquired name
now !" she continued with Frightening
eyes 'tIf only had acquired a name.
I'm sure 1 would succeed. IT'S always
the great names, mother, that succeed in
such things. even if their productions are
Indifferent because, if the public have
been pleased with former works, they
are always eager to obtain anything
which has their favorite's name attached.
What pity L haven't grown famous
yet"
II would never try for this prize. Alice.
you have scarcely time to finish 1t. even
though you were to work night and day
Pray don't give it another thought"
Don't try to discourage me. mother,
To be sure | haven't much time: but then
I'll send with my Ms. Just the prettiest
little note in the world. and I'll tell the
editor all about it; and though his being
a bachelor doesn't give promise of a very
soft heart, perhaps he'll accept my story
after all, and
..Bless mel Alice, how you do run on, .
said Mrs. FreeIand. plsyfully putting her
hands over her ears; "but how do you
know the editor is a bachelor, eh %
20, I've heard of him. mother, ever
since was so high" said Alice. holding
her hand about two feet from the floor
He has offers of marriage every once in
a while, but he refuses them all through
mis- paper. Dear me. hope he looks up.
on offers of Ms. and offers of marriage as
two very different things, and will just
take it into his head to accept mine"