Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1853-10-05
Cecile Gray.
Alas for the love! if THIS BE ALL,
And SAuGHr BEYOND, oh! earth!


.Tis a girl. sir; my lady has daughter"
"Heaven be praised!' said the 6iscontented
father Of six unruly boys. "Now have some
thing gentle to love. Small comfort TO me.
those boys; their guns, fishing tackle, pointers,
settlers. hounds, spaniels, and what not
Toms college bills perfectly ruinous-horses,
oysters and cigars all Jumped under the head
of ct ceteras; l understand it all-or my purse
does. But this little gentle girl climbing upon
my knee, and making music and sunshine in
the house, with her innocent face and silvery
laugh, the little human blossom of my life's
rough, thorny way side, she'll make amends.
Am not the happiest husband in the world;
my heart shall find q resting place here. She
must be highly educated and accomplish
ed. / shall spare no pains to effect that. All,
see after all, l shall have happy old age"
Very lovely was little Cecilel She had her
mothers soft hazle eye and waving auburn
hair, an d her fathers Grecian profile. There
was a winning sweetness in her smile, and
poetry in every motion. 1t was pretty sightl
her golden tresses mingling with those silver
locks, as she rested her bright head against the
old mans cheek. Even "the boys" could har-
Dor no anger at her quiet reignl she wound
herself quite as closely round their hearts,
Then it was new tie to bind the sundered
husband and wife together. Something of the
old by gone tenderness crept tunconsciously into
their manner to each other lit was their idol!
and they pressed her rapturously to the paren
tai hearts, forgetting she was but clay.
Tutors and governesses without limit went
and came, before the important selection was
made. Then-so many injuGctions! She must
not study SO much as to spoil her fine eyes;
she must only draw few minutes at time.
lest it should cause s'oop in the shouders;''
she must not 60 out in the sun, for fear of In.
juring her complexion. She was told every
hour Of the day of rare perfection; now her at
titude-then her eyes-then her shape; she
danced like fairy-sang like seraph, iIt
short needed wings only to make her an
angel.
Every servant in the house knew his or her
fortune was made, if Miss Cecile was pleased.
and, shaped their course accordingly. H"the
BOYS" were doub tful of the success of request
Cecile was employed secretly to negotiate. The
reins Of household government were in those
little fairy fingers.
No wonder that little Cecile thought herself
omnipotent. No wonder she stood before
"Psyche," arranging with ma,den's pride.
those glossy ringlets. Small marvel that she
saw with exultation those round and polished
limbs, pearly teeth, and starry eyes, and tos.
sed her bright curls in triumph at the hearts
that were already laid at FER feet Her mirror
but silently repeated the voice Of aattery that
met her at every step. Cecilc was beautiful!
The temple was passing fair; but all. there rose
from its altar no holy incense to heaven. Those
bright eyes opened and closed like the fow.
crs, and like them drank in the dew and the
sunlight. regardless Of the giver.
It was Cecil's eighteenth birth day. The
most extensive preparations had been made te
celebrate it. She was to electrify the beau
monde with her debut. A gossamer robe. fit fol
a Peri, silvery and light, foated soft as feecy
cloud around those matchless limbs. GENT
and jewels would have been out of place be
side those starry eyes. Natures simplest Of
fering; the dropping lilly, blended with hel
tresses. The flush Of youth and hope were on
her cheek; her step was already on the thresh
hold of that brilliant, untried world which hcl
beauty was to dazzle and to conquer. Othel
sylph like forms there were, and bright faces
that made sunlight in happy homes, but the
peerless Ceci'e quenched their beams on that
happy birth day.
The pr oud father looked on exultingly.-
beautiful as a dream" echoed from one end
of the saloon to the other. His eve followed
her. noted every glance Of admiration. and
then he said to himself, "This dol is mine.'
Say you SO, fond father? "See, her head
droops heavily--her limbs relax--she has fain
ted They bathe her pale face and powerles.
hands. then they bear her to tho dressing room
and she lies on that silken couch like some
ra.e piece Of sculpture. The jewellers disperse
the garlands droop; dark ness and silence reigr
where merry feet tripped lightly. The physi
clan sits by the bedside Of his fair patient. and
with mistaken kindness he says to The frantic
parents-"She will be easier soon-she will b.
free from pain Tomorrow" and then he leaves
her with the anxious watchers.
Morning dawned Yes, Cecilc was better
SO her father said; and she sat up, and put hel