Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1854-04-06

power to gain that. as she told Mr.. Mason
one day, when half joking half serious. lie
attempted to plead the cause of one of the
most devoted, who had asked his inter.
cession with her
He is one of the best matches in the
country he said has fine plantation.
plenty of slaves, and is able to support
you in fine style
can support myself in as good STYLE
as | care for; that is no object with me.
said Mary, rather proudly.
WE'LL he has some talent. is GOOD
looking, and loves you very dearly is
that nothing, too ?
1t is great deal; and I am wiling
to allow him all those good qualities, yet
| cannot love him very dearly, and | will
not marry any man | do not said Mary,
blushing
I'm very sorry you don't Mary. for |
really like Paul Stafford myself, and I do
wish we could somehow make you life
member OF our community. | sometimes
feel little lonely among the Southern
people, whose ideas and habits OF life are
so different from ours. With you, | can
talk of all my old friends and companions,
and live over in memory my youthful
days; and if you leave us, shall feel
void; [ should miss you as much as
should one of my own children
cannot stay much longer, however
said Mary, thoughtfully Just think of
It, | came here for year, and now more
than three have glided away and | do
really long to see the old home faces once
more | must certainly go home in the
Spring, Mr. Mason
do believe there is somewhere among
those home faces one more attractive to
you than all our Southern beaux. Mary.
or you wouldn't slight them al so de-
cidedly. | see | am right said be. laugh
ing, after watching the color come into
Mary's cheek and perhaps you are even
engaged at this moment to some lucky
fellow
No said Mary, quickly; [ have no
engagements, nor am [ like to have. or
prefer she hesitated
Stop there said Mr. Mason, laughing
III excuse you
Mary was provoked, and stood biting
her lip and looking out upon the lawn. as
carriage drove up to the house, and Mr.
Mason left the room to receive whoever
had arrived
\ short time afterward little Harry
burst into the room, his face radiant with
JOY, exclaiming
0, Miss Mary, cousin Bernard has
come cousin Bernard has come What
& good time we shall have ard what pret-
ty presents; O, | am so glad T
And | too said Martha, who was fol
lowing him for know 1 shall like hita
Why so ? said Mary, smiling
Why, It Was him that sent me my big
doll, with all her furniture, and my little
French music box, all the way from Paris.
Yes, and my rocking horse and coach.
chimed in Harry. %, | shall always
love cousin Bernard
At dinner time that day Mary was in
troduced to Bernard Hamilton. whom
she found to be a ine looking young gen
tleman, of five and twenty, who had, for
the last four years, been travelling in
Europe
He was the nephew of Mrs. Mason,
and had been, before his majority, the
ward Of her husband Before he went
abroad be had spent most of bis time at
bis guardians, although he possessed a
fne plantation of his own, few miles
distant, now occupied by an agent, who
bad managed it in bis absence
lie seemed to Mary to be a young
man Of good abilities and it was very
evident. from his conversation. that he
had made good use of his senses, in bis
travels through various climes aud coun-
tries; and he had the happy faculty of
imparting the treasures of knowledge he
had gained in his progress, in a very elo-
queut and winning manner, too
After spending few days in overlook
ing his plantation, AIr Hamilton returned
to Mr. Mason's, that he might, as he said
be rear the city, and have the advantage
OF such society as he liked Mozamba
was soon, more than ever, besieged by
visitors; and 1t vas amazing to hear how
many excuses were made for past neg
lect, or forgetfulness, to Mrs. Mason, who
understood well enough what new attrac-
tion her house contained.
She smiled blandly upon all her visi-
tors, and endeavored to make their visits
agreeable and for Bernard's sake. she
and her husband went out much more
than usual, to return them. They knew
that he had come back to his native land
after reviewing many of the beauties and
celebrities of the old world, with the de-
sign Of selecting some favored daughter
Of the South as his bride. and settling
down contentedly upon the old home
stead And they felt somewhat paren
tai anxiety that he should choose WORTH
ly, and have all their circle of acquain
tanees to choose from.
Bernard was soon engaged in a round
of parties, balls and concerts, in and
around the city with much of the inter
veninr time filed up with visiting and
c5latry sports Months thus passed
away, and yet he seemed no nearer ma
king choice from the fair ladies who
took pains to attract his notice, than he
did the first day be came among them.
Mr. Mason frequently joked him on the
subject, recommending one and another
to his especial attention but in all, how
ever amiable or beautiful. he could find
some defect of person or character, to
counterbalance all their good points,
Il