The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-07-08

DOu W ucCtiNe Inc, lOll. uDuel
II stand it all. You are fast n the moose, an
e can't get free, and probably endeaver to max
the world think you are happy; rest assure
: that though am unable to do anything to al
d leviate your deplorable situation, yet yo
}, have my sympathy and regard"
t Tom was about to reply, but Ned stoppe
him and continued
{ "Don't seek to delude me, if you do every
, body else. | must go now, for cannot bea
to witness your frantic attempts to appea
=, contented; it wounds me to the heart, and
would ask you to accompany me to town, bu
l suppose Lizzie, as you denominate your fem
, mine tyrant, wishes you to stay at home ant
tend that little popinjay."
), AT this moment the door opened, and pa il
ofroguish eyes peeped out, and glad cheer
ful voice called Tom, and Ned, starting as i
he had been shot, scampered down the path
and made for home as if regiment of vixens
were at his heels, more than ever convinced
of the wretchedness Of Tom, as a merry peal
Of laughter hoated after him.
He reached home, and on going TO his sit
ting room, saw what appeared to be n female
form seated in his easy chair, complacently
reading his newspaper, who, when she heard
him, arose, and politely coming forward, in
troduced herself as his ward. Ned took the
extended hand as if it had been red hot, and
looked with astonishment at her This then
was the invader, the adversary, the coarse
country girl. He tried TO think that she was
a very disagreeable person, but when she
blushed so Prettily and timidlv apologized for
intruding, his manner softencd and before
long he vas talking very costly with her
When at last she went up stairs to dress for
dinner, he began as usual 20 blame himself.
"Ned Wilson, you are a stupid individual
TO allow yourself to be taken in the first thing
by woman. She is very pretty, but proba-
bly she wears wig and pants-to be sure
she blushed and looked innocent, bnt never
theless she may be as artful as the rest of
them; they understand these sort Of things,
and can blush, laugh, cry, and call whole
artillery of tears and sighs to bear upon the
feelings of poor defenceless masculine, ut
any moment; but am too deep for them and
will show to the world that there is at least
one man, that is proof against woman's arti-
fce"
A year passed away, and somehow Ned had
got accustomed to seeing the sweet face of
his ward at the table, and his old slippers had
mySterously disappeared, and new ones came
in their place, and he never read the paper
with any conf ort, unless the neat little figure
of Mary sat at her work-stand; and the Jokes
lost their point unless her silvery laugh min
gled with his, and finally, though he did not
show it, he could no more have done without
her than his supper; and by degrees he had
left the club; and though it was very singular,
it was always 'too cold,' or "too hot" or "too
windy" or he was "too. tired" to 90 out even
ings, though of course h, did not stay at home
on her account.
One day he sat in his counting-room, and
his head clerk entered, and spectfully asked
him if he could spare him few moments, as
he had something to say of great Importance.
Ned signified that he was at leisure, and
the clerk in evident embarrassment, began:
81 suppose you have observed my growing
partiality for your lovely ward, and with your
permission wish to cultivate her acquant-
ance, in hopes that some future day | may gain
her esteem, and perhaps more. am not
worthy of her know, but"
He would have continued, but was stopped
by Wilson, who Indignantly started from his
chair, and taking him by the collar, put him
out, 81 seizing his hat in aviolent rage, started
post haste for home, leaving that astonshed
individual the clerk, looking after him with
an air that expressed first resentment, then
pity and concern, as if he doubted the sanity
of his employer.
He reached home and pulling the bell until
the wire snapped, summoned Mary, who when
she entered, looked almost with fear at him,
for he scowed at her, and then shouted,
$50, my young lady, you have, all unknown
to me, been billing and cooling with that bare
faced, ;mpertnent clerk! Don't say word!
he thundered, as she tried to speak, "for |
won't believe it it you do!'
Mary burst into tears, and hastily ret-eated
up stairs, and Ned after walking at furious
rate up and down the room for II short time,
began to cool down, and abuse himself as
usual.
81 am dolt, and know i'll What right
have to be in a rage because Mary chooses
to love the clerk; and he loves her back!
verify believe am in love with her myself,
and she can never care for such bear as ]
am-Oh dear; she could not like me when
have almost broken her dear little heart with
my cruelty. | will show my devotion, and
make a martyr of myself by way Of atone
ment, though know shall hang myself, or
throw myself in the first duck pond ] come
across, perhaps it will be better to endure in
silence, and death will soon terminate my suf-
ferings, for ! am beginning to pine away al
ready" he glanced at the almost aldermanic
proportions reflected in the glass, and at his
round, red face, and sighng like northeast
hurricane, added 'it's all inward, and the fever
burns there" and he struck his hand on that
portion Of his expansive chest supposed TO
contain the heart.
H., rang for Mnry again, g. she came down,
but looked pale, and her eyes were slightly
swollen with weeping, and he felt more than
ever indignant at himself for making her I'M
happy. He kindly took her hand and leading
her to seat on the sofa, said, in very gentle,
humble tones.
"Forgve me, Mary, for my rudeness just
now, and to show how sorry feel, | freely g.
fully give nv consent for Won TO marry as many