Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1853-01-20


"Having given his last orders
and sent his farewell message t
you," added the informant, she sanl
into my arms, and never spoke agair
until he was about TO breathe hi.
last; and indeed with his dying
breath he uttered, with intense feel
ling, the one word, "Adap
"At what hour of the night wa:
thisl" inquired Ada, with a tremb
ling eagerness.
"About twelve" was the reply.
II was the very night and hour o.
her dream.
1t is very true, as the philosophers
tell US, that strange condolences;
but Hamlet was not mistaken when
he said, "There are more things in
heaven and earth than we -
dreamed of in your philosop
Ada's grief manifested by
no violent demonstration. ii a
long time after her lovers death she
appeared to labor under a constant
sadness, that did not make her ac-
customed avocations but a sadness
that every observer knew 10 be the
mourning Of the soul.
This, however, gave way in time
to brighter calmness, although the
brilliant gayety that once distin-
guished Ada in her lighter moods
was gone forever, perennial care
lulness encompassed her; a kindly
care for the feelings and wishes OF
all, that made her alike welcome TO
young and old.
By the time this change had been
completely wrought, her parents
and friends thought that marriage
was to be desired for her. She had
neither brother nor sister, and when
her iather and mother were gone
she would be left alone in the world
A wealthy and highly respectable
widower, with highly respectable
connections. and a highly respectable
number Of highly respectable child
ren, entertained the same opinion,
and proposed marriage to Ada with
the greatest confidence that she
would perceive the fitness Of the
union.
Her refusal was not positive, but
naughty and scornful. In reply 10
the intercession of her mother, who
valued the standing and moral worth
Of the new suitor, she answered that
she would never consent 10 marry,
but that man who offered himself
as it he were prize in lottery
deserved nothing but contempt from
a woman who had any self-respect.
T he widower's offer became
known, as he had no delicacy upon
such points, and had freely mentioned
it 10 his friends, and the young ladies
declared that great mistake had
been made in refusing so excellent
match, and that it would be bad for
Miss Sinclair to die an old maid"
Time seemed TO have no effect in
changing Ada's determination. The
parents died, and she still remained
unmarried.
Feeling the want Of some CON-
panionship, she adopted the orphan
daughter Of a lady who had been
one of her dearest friends.
Ruth could not have been educated
under better auspices. Her training
in every respect exhibited the acute
judgement and excellent heart Of
her protectress. lndulged in every
proper desire by one who under
stood and sympathized with her
feelings, the finer tastes OF the young
girl were cultivated and her heart
and intellect developed, and this in
manner so natural and easy that
Ruth could hardly feel that she had
been trained at all. Her cheerful
disposition had never been tried by
anv whims or ascetic notions, for
Ada was perfectly free from both,
and without any effort TO prove her
capacity TO educate young lady she
did most efFeciually exhibit a re-
markabIe fitness for the performance
OF a mothers duties.
Now that Ada was her only mis-
tress, with handsome competency,
with high intelligence, great conver-
sational. power, a sweet disposition,
dignified and symmetrical figure
and a beauty which years had
shadowed but not impaired, it is not
to be wondered at that offers OF
marriage were received from various
sources. But Ada had no coquetrv
in her disposition, and as she never
gave encouragements, her refusa's
were respectful but peremptory.
She became "an old maid," but
without a single characteristic that
is usually connected with the title;
she had no singularity OF manner,
no peevishness Of disposition, no
nervousness, no idle curiosity. She
was eminently graceful and digni-
fed; fond Of, and a favorite with the
young, social in her feelings, and
delicate in her perception. Her
tastes cultivated. and her converse.