Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1854-03-24

mers."
"Or the next?''
"She had promised Mr.. Howell.'
Young Blaokwood bit his lip, and bis old
i'll humor returned; he went into the dane
ing room and sat sullenly in the corner
chewing the cud Of his bitter fancy, an,
meditsting on what he thought his fagran
wrenss.
He watched Jenny, gay and brilliant,
dancing with first one gentleman and ther
anothsr-laughing and chatting merrily oil
the time. In truth, the gentleman, pleased
to see her once more released from her
thraldem, crowded around her, and paid her
SO mach attention, that she was really the
belle of the evening. Blackwosd's jealous
eye saw evsrything--he saw his own boquei
thrown carelcssly aside, while another, pre-.
ssnted by he hnew not when Mr.. Collins
perhaps, was carried constantly in her hand
and carefully cherished; he noted every
glance Of admiration directed to her; he OBJ
served every smile she bestowed.
"By George" he muttsred at last, be-
tween his teeth ssthere's not man in the
room who is not in love with her !-and she
the airt -ths-ths little jilt-I do believe
she returns their affection"
This absurd generalization Of his jeal-
ousy, might haze opened the eyes Of cosl-
or man, but Blackwood was almost beside
himself with apprehension lest the precious
treasure, he had come by some strange men
tai process to consider his own, should be
stolen from him. lie felt the untsnability
Of his claims upon her--hs was alarmed
beyond reason by her change Of manner.
If, he thought, she had at last grown tired
of him, Che felt sure she had loved him
onoe,) if she were thinking Of some one
else, what remained for him but to throw
himself into the river or 60 crazy, for life
had lost every charm for him.
The thought of her riding home with MIR.
Collins was wormwood to him. He jwelt
upon it till the idea became insuppsrtable-
he must do something to prevent it. Ac.
cordingly he went to the gentleman who
had been voted master of ceremonies, and
who happened to be a particular friend Of
his, and said, as carelsssly A. he could,
'Harw cd, my good fellow, you must
do something for me-I'll do as much for
you another time. Manage it 20 that Col
Inns shall give up his partner to me when
we 90 homo. have particular reason for
wishing it,"
"Impossibls, my dear Blackwood, what a
strange request! Collins will never con-
s.nt-the prettiest girl of the party, too"
t'That's it-that's it,'' returned the agon-
lied lover-"he'll be making love to her on
the way home and and he'll offer himself,
men are so hasty about these things some
tlmes- and she'll accept him, and-then I'm
wretched for life-that's ALL"
"Isee-I see,'' returned his friend smil-
ing. "Wsll, I'll try what can do for you.'
How Harwood managed it, does not ap-
pear, but his good Offices were successful
Mr.. Collins meekly took his place beside
poor Miss Moody.
Blackwooa, highly elated, handed Jenny
to his vehicle-sprang in after her, and off
they set at furious rate. /.
Little would it becems me % . delicate
historian to pry into the secrets of that tsie-
a-iete sleigh ride. shall only state what
all the world knows that Notwithstanding
the speed with which they started, their
sleigh was the last to reach home; and the
next day it was no secret in B that
Jenny Lea was engaged to BE- married to
young MIR. Blackwood.
In conclusion, l would merely add, for
tho consolation Of those innocent and mex
perisnsed young lady readers who may be
dispTeased with the conclusion Of nay story,
and inclined to pity my psoI heroine, con-
dsmned to such moross, tyrannieal Blue
beard of husband, that married ladies will
perhaps take different view of the ease.
leave it for them to conjecture, hswev-
or, whether it il probable, that the girl who
had learned how to manage her lover, was
likely ts forget the art when he became her
husband.
CARE OF THE EyEs.- DR.. Daf,e: says |:
$50 many women complain Of weak
eyes. that we have thought il wise to
give some directions as to reading and
writing. by which the sight may be pre-
served uninjured Observe then, that
the light should never be allowed to
fall on the paper, or on the eyes Of the
reader, or writer. but the left side for
then the eyes are not annoyed with the
shadow Of the pen, as will be the case.
when the light comes from the right
side. That writing tries the eyes m 70
than reading is popular error and. in
writing, blueish paper is better for the
eyes than pure white. When the eyes
feel fatigusd. bathing them in cold wa
ter will both strengthen and rslieve
them. In reading great relief will be
found IL the eyes are turned from the
book 10 some soft and harmonious col-
ors. Brilliant co'ors. therefore, in pa
per or paint. should not be chosen for a
library OF sitting-room, where either
reading, or writing. or sewing is going
on. For sewing. ,ha. peculiarly femi
nine employment, is quite as trying to