Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1854-03-08
a 5torp for l1onng Eaoifs.
lFrdmtts Olise Branch
THE Two BRIDES.
by MARY 4. pExlsoS

o very shabby place. said Marion Lenox. as
with her husband they alightcd at the door
Of neat little cottage.
"Why, my love- you know it's just Spring,
the leaves are hardly out, and the rose bushes
only budding. Yet you may form some idea
of how it will look in Summer see the vines
trained over the windows Look at the gar
den spots here and there-rather neglected
to he sure-but-"
ssRather neglected. added his wife, break
ing in upon him should think SO. Why,
there's nettle husband such miserable
little stunted trees and straw--litter and
old hoops--rather neglected. And the door
how old fashioned and ugly take care
Il am sure yon can hardly stand up straight
in this narrow, low-studded little hall. |
detest low ceilings, country or no country
And this bit of parlor hardly large enough
to turn about in--I can't and won't like that,
Now let's see the kitchen oh, horror I"
she exclaimed, holding up her hands, either
noticing not, or designing not to notice the
expression Of uneasiness that sat on her hus-
bands face, sslook at the heartfelt brick, as
| am alive, and takes up the half the floor.
High windows, too how | hate high win
dows-and such a pattern for paper 1t
makes me nervous to look at it--criss cross
like spiders craving over web now Hem
ry, you can't expect me to live here
Her husband, a fine, manly looking fellow,
half sighed as he answered-ssI should be
very sorry to submit you to Inconvenience,
such as you seem to dread, but there are on
ly this and the new cottage above the hill
That you know is three hundred dollars
year, two hundred more than we should pay
for this--and then the expenses"
"Oh Henry, dear, don't go talking about
expenses your business is so good, it will
warrant little outlay, you told Inc so your
SELF Come, will economic in other things
just look now at these dingy black closets"
he half agreed with her as she opened the
really dismal places--'I should 'rs wonder if
they were filled with ratsand vermin. Now
let's go up stairs; see how the paper Is torn
and patched-and worse, and more Of it,
there is butone upright chamber in the house.
Mothers last words to me were, do get up
right chambers for they look so pretty when
they are all furnished. And here in front of
the house, is wretched great hole
"But in summer, put in Henry.
ooh know what you would say. sup
pose there is water there sometimes but half
of the year it will be most detestable sight.
Then the trees so close to the house, Eve al
ways heard that trees make house very
damp and uncomfortable-no I'm sure you
won't try to make me live in such place,
after all the comforts I've been used to-
Come let us go-for really I'm quite melan-
choly already"
Henry resigned the key, one half convin-
ced by his wife's reasoning. He loved her,
wanted to make her happy but just start
ing in life, how was he to maintain style and
extravaganza Hc liked the little cottage,
but was persuaded against his better judge
ment to refuse it.
About an hour after, a plain carriage
drove up, and sprightl y young man lifted
a sweet, blue-eyed girl to the ground, say
ing, as he did so, ''Now prepare to be dis
appointed +"
81 am not in the least with the exterior"
she exclaimed, pausing, -'oh how cunning
how neat, what a fine place for garden,
and those dear little trees-and tn is wilder
ness of rosebushes declare / never was
so pleased with anything in my lifc."
'sThc door looks like what have see in
pictures os old country houses-and oh, do
look and see the vines clambering over every
window When they are loaded with BIOS
SONS, and the roses are out, it will seem like
paradise"
"Thc entry is rather small and low re-
marked the husband.
sOh, not bit too small and as to low
ceilings, in cottage like this, they are quite
apropos. Now did you ever see quainter,
pleasantcr little parlor--just the place for
your mothers nice old fashioned furniture.
The sofa shall be there, right between tn ose
pretty little windows, and the chairs here,
and table there won't it look so cosy and
comfortable 2" she asked, her blue eyes
sparkling with unalloyed pleasure.
How could the young man help kissing
that pure, innocent brow, upturned TO him
SO lovingly,
s'Now the Kitchen" she cried, clapping
her hands ,--s'therc, just what | hoped It's
just bit of old times as Thought it would
be. Maybe you don't like brick hearths--
but / do. Many frolic have had in grand