The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1854-09-13
Frank KarIeY's Prophecy,

longs to mars Frank Harley, man, "Is YOU
. master single?' enquired the inquistive Etfie
Il Eyes man, and reckon he always will be,
said the girl, with something like sigh as sh
looked on Effie's sweet face "WelI then
said Effie, laughing, '"tell him to call and Sc
: me this evening after tea, as I am sadly il
need Of beau" ''I'll tell him Miss. tbourh
know it be no use, for he won't come, and
don't believe your pretty face will ever catcl
him, whatname shall I give him ,Miss?' "Efi4
Lovelace." "Yes'em, I'll tell him. and sht
, went on her way laughing.
But perhaps, reader, you would like to know
something more about Effie HAS she 90
the dimes?" No, indeed, reader she has not
and you might have saved yourselfthe trouble
Of asking that too common question, for vou
could Mt get herifshe had. She is what the world
calls poor, and indeed she is so far as worldly
wealth is concerned but she is rich in intellect
and owns a mind of warm affections: and al.
ways seems as fresh, rosy, and beautiful as a
summers morning. Her parents died. several
| years ago, leaving her-their only child, to the
care of a kind uncle and aunt and with lust
enough Of this worlds goods to keep her above
actual want. Her little store was completely
exhausted in finishing her education at Mont
pella institute, from which place she has lust
returned, crowned with laurels. Mr.. and Mrs.
Cross are childless, and live in pretty vine
covered cot in the most retired part of the city
of Macon. They are often heard to say that
the sunshine never came in at the windows un-
til Efie entered the door
Bright, merry little Efie! everybody loved
her. They could mt help it. In spite of many
little scolding from her aunt, Ef1ie couldn't help
from being saucy, when in her teens, and she
/ says It's part of her composition which she has
not yet outgrown although she has reached the
respectable age Of twenty. But we must leave
her TO return by ard by.
About half mile distant from the humble
cottage of Mr.. Cross, stands the magnificent
mansion of Frank Harley,-the wealthiest and
most eccentric man that ever bore the cogno-
men Of old bachelor He does not look
like an old bachelor, for his age is only twenty
eight, but he acts like one, and has such odd
notions about the female sex. Diskes to visit
young ladies 'at home for fear they will slip
his neck into a matrimonial moose before he has
time to give them the dodge. Is always think
ing of manruyering mamas and bankrupt papas
setting steel-traps, baited with t1attery and sweet
smiles, to deude and capture rich bachelors.
With all these odds notions Frank Harley pos
sessed what is the very rare among his species
IA heart But YOU could mt make him believe
1t, not he. He always declares that dame ma
ture forgot to furnish him with that article, en-
tlrely. He is famous for his charitable acts
among the poor, and firmly believes It's not
his heart that prompts him in doing good deeds, |
but his will. Our hero is seated in deep bay
window Of his elegant dwelling with his feet
comfortably placed on an ottoman instead of
foot-stool, and indulging in his favorite luxury
smoking fine *regalia.' A very matter Of !
fact sort of person is this Harley, for while the
smoke is curling above his head, he shuts his .
eyes to mediate, and looks for all the world like .
he'd taken his seat for whole eternity
He is very forgetful at times, for on his cen
tre-table lay half dozen bouquets that he has
never thought to put in water, and forgetting
the fair donors themselves. Sundry yinvtations
to tea lie scattered on the table, some on the
floor, from mamas with manageable daughters.
III forgotten. MARS Frank said the ser
want girl, breaking in upon his s'bachelor reverie,'
mars Frank, mighty pretty young lady told
ne to tell you to go to see her this very even
ng after tea, says she wants beau, nifty bad,
indeed slr.'
Hump! wish, Matilda, you wouldn't dis
urb me with such annoying messages" "Wen, i
mars Frank, she be sch sweet pretty Young ,
ady I couldn't help it," pleaded the girl =
Some impudent freckled face huzzy wants
ich husband and thinks to get me- '<No, I
ir she amt freckled bit,' replied the girl I
quickly. 'Shes got the prettiest, whiest, {
oundest, ,rosiest face ever see and light brown |
air all curin down to her waist" ':Eh! what's !
er name?" enquired Frank careessly "Miss S
,fhe Lovelace, livin' at herunces, Mr. Cross's'' a
Very well, you may 60" "Whitest roundest, i
oslcSt, prettiest face, with light brown hair Y
angling down to her waist in curls, - said Har- t
~ repeating the servants words. Butremem n
erlng his old bachelor notions, he added the d
tile monkey! not acquainted with me, and "
end such a saucy impertinent message as that! n
y George, III make her rue it yet! I'll take fl
)e imp at her word, and teach her lesson she Il
as never yet learned!' Frank Harley's words p
ore prophecy. While he is standing before Il
is mirror adjusting certain parts Of his dress fe
e will leave him and peep at the inmates Of ct
r. Cross's cottage. tt
The happy trio, uncle, aunt and niece, are at v
We toic t'iC loohS Z ld' I, tuilt is III NY 1e
keep down smile that's lurking around the SC
'rners of her mouth, while Effie is laughing h;
I'd telling them about the message she sent to e.
arley. 'Etfie, DEAR said Mr.. Cross, Il am W
rry you are so thoughtless for Mr.. Harley 0,
III hear of it no doubt, and may think strange tl
Ings Of YOU" ''And Efie,' said Mrs Cross
when Mr.. Harley finds out that you are SO sau- ST
-, soproud, and SO poor, he'll dislike you, may ri
:" ''Well, aunt, there's no danger Of his re
er finding it out, for | never expect to meet ia
m, and | don't care whether Or not he likes pp
?, if l should form acquaintance" of
knock at the front door startled Effe; she vi
'od with beating heart, earnestly wishing it
ght be somebody else, for she had an idea
whom it was in fact. Her doubts were soon ba
spelled by hearing her uncle calling her in N
parIor and saying Mr.. Harley wished to ad
? her. Holding up her proud little head, she la
tered with the dignity of a queen. Miss
velace, Mr.. Harley, and Mr.. Cross, to Har els
IS satisfaction bowed himself out ''Beauti- err
as dream,' murmured Frank, almost for pa
ting to return Effie's bow. Il suppose YOU vi
lst have received my message, Mr.. Harley, rel