The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1854-10-28
For The Cecil Wig.
Letter from NEaude.
MEADOW COTTAGE, October l6, 1851


MEADOW COTTAGE, October lG, 1854.
DEAR BLANCHE An hour ago | sat be-
fore coy fire in the dining room, flor Octo-
Der has given US the chlls up here among the
mountains,) now watching the bright blaze
as it twincd and wrcathel itself about the
green maple sticks, and anon turning to your
letter, which held inmy hand. had been
reading it. and was trying to picture to my
self the face and form OF Blanche. First fancy
painted thee as a slight young girl, not lean,
but rosy-chc.ked, with dark curls never at
rest for an instant, and eyes smiling mis-
chief at me from under their long lashes. This
a tree almost as blithcly as a squirrel. In
the spring time she hunts birds-ncsts, gathers
wild-howcrs, and seeks for bright pebbles at
the bottom of that little rill, which winds
adown the valley: and is not unfrcquently
seen salloping out of sight upon the back of
"Charly" or Fanny" But this Blanche
knows nothing about Coates Kinney, Mr..
Bennett or Maudc; and with an impatient
saying" 1hat is not like her." No gay frol-
icsomc creature is my Blanche"
Then after moments pause, quietly, as if
nothing had happened, Fancy set herself to
work to paint thee anew. This time differ
cnt being appeared before me "a quct-faced
girl, with hair parted smoothly back from her
fair brow; eyes whose thoughtful glance start
shyly from beneath the dcmurcy dropping
lids; hands small, and yet not too delicate to
be useful. They are not unfamiliar with the
embroidery needle; can weave BEAUTIFUL flow
ers, make the incest, sweetest bread, and are
not unused to washing dishes and managing
the broom. And more than all those hands
love to draw Gathers arm chair" into his
favorite corner, place his slippers, and hand
him the evening paper. am pleased with
this picture 1T is my bcau.ideal of a ''coun-
try girl" but just as am about to claim it
as thine, something whispers in my car:
mot 50 fast Maude-thosc hands are quite
too busy-too constantly employed to find
time 10 write to thee; this is not your Blanche
after all" and with sigh | murmur, true,
she is so busy, so domestic, | doubt if she
knows Coates Kinney, Mr.. B. or even Maudc.
And with another sigh I turned reluctantly
from the contemplation of this second picture
Fancy was about to make third trial
when the door opened and in walked cousin
Frank. Drawing the arm char before the
fire, he seated himself, at the same time say
ing:
"Maude wish you'd put away that pa.
per and so about some womanly employment.
Have you no knitting work: it's high time
you were knitting socks. Don'ty perceive
that winter is just at hand; bring your knit
ting Co.. and sit and talk with mc--like
good, sensible girl, such as used to fancy
YOU"
answered: I don't object to the talking
but as for knitting don't fancy that the
points of the needles hurt my fingers, and
Gust then a bright thought flashed across me,
and picking up "7he UMg."I continucdD:
listen, Frank and III read you a letter from
a lady, whom have never seen and you shall
draw her portrait for me.
"Agrced-go ahead"
read your letter and at the conclusion
said: Now tell Inc what Blanche is like, how
she looks &c.
"Wcll Maudc, rather think Blanche is
tall, say six feet, in her boots. You fancy
tall men; therefore I've no doubt you'd be
charmed with Blanche, provided she didn't
wear whiskcrs; but I'm afraid she does. In
decd Maudc, the balance of my mind is that
Blanche wears whiskers."
Here interrupted him with: Nonsense!
Frank, don't talk so foolishly."
All my dear Cousin thou art the foolish
one. fear thine unsuspecting simplicity is
sadly imposed upon in this matter, and as
man and one who knows the world, warn
thee to beware of all such clandcstinc and Sc
crct correspondence and with an air of
great wisdom, Frank leaned back in his chair
and fell to carcssing his whiskers.
But he didn't stay long, for l wouldn't he
bit agreeable to him after saying such ugly
things about Blanche. A man indeed -
But is time lay the cloth for tea, and so l
will say Goodbye for the present.