Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-10-08
EVENING STAR.
COUSIN PHIL BRENGLEs EXPERIENCE;
Or, Talks with an Invalid. &
BY ANNIE LEE

PnI Brengie and Il sat one fine evening,
each in Sleepy Hollow chair, not side by
side, as you might fancy, Il passed the Rubi-
con o. all such sentimentalities long ago1 but
each at an open window, whence we would see
the beautiful elms cast shadows on the sunny
pastures, or beyond the wood, where the lambs
were quietly enjoying siesta and so drink
ing in large draughts of beauty and sweet con-
tent, by gazing on pictures painted by the
Divine Artist; We talked over many things,
and insensibly came to speak of those human
howers which bloom in lOveliness in CITY
homes, or throw the spell Of enchantment over
mems hearts at springs and the fashionable
resorts. ~, ---r ... ... ... Il.
Phil certainly has an eye for feminine graces,
and a heart to appreciate, TO their full extent,
every charm of mind or manner for which some
favored maidens claim pre-eminence, and
mentally queried what had kept him so long q
stray waif upon the ocean Of life; and sitting
directly opposite me, he read the thought in
my face, and answered it the same as if had
put the question. Phil can read faces like a
book. -. .. .- -... a,-- -t.,-f
. The truth is, Annie, have been near be-
ing Beneiict once or twice--so rerg near prop
osition point, L hardly know how I escaped
hitting 1t; but was little doubtful. not
about the lady in question being an angel.
and all that deserved to win, but whether
was not 'o'er young to marry yet" and while
was deciding the delicate question, others
less serupulous came along and carried off the
prize 4" %
"You don't look heart broken over such ter.
| rible disappointments.
mo. | ain not pining away for any such
cause. When there are so many bright stars
In the social heaven, should 1 mourn for one
or two who have faded from my sight You
don't consider me soft as that, hope g
Well done, brave heart; / congratulate
you upon you stOieism. 'Tis not best for you
TO make yourself miserable or food for worms -
Had too much work on hand for that--it
will do for sick men to play the sentimental if
they choose. L had % stern realities" in my
business to contend with not much time for
signing for that which could not be helped =
- Yet you like homes comforts and fear
boarding at hotel, or getting your meal at a
| restaurant is not exactly like the visions one
has of ones own freside'' .
Certainly not. 1 have my rooms in some
private house, and try 10 feel very much al
home when lounging on my own sofa, and
monarch of all L survey, from the windows
clear up to the CRATE, reading my own books
and papers, while making as much smoke
from NY OWL Havanas as choose, and having
| my friends to share them with ME occasionally;
but, after all, ny feigned independence and
my luxurious belongings, was not positively
blest-often felt the sensation called an
aching void.
How about Jour landlady, or hostess.
beins Kind and motherly, taking an interest
in your welfare. Are they to your mind !''
cone kept ny rooms just as L liked the m to
| be. Ny wardrobe was Il pretty picture under
her management, every thing in nice order,
| but had to leave there, for tbs house was
| rented to others. S. it goes, Once four bach.
elors tried the experiment of housekeeping
| hired house and housekeeper. 1t kept me
in hot water half the time to provide FOR the
| table. Came near running me, she was sc
wasteful. Twas failure had to go back
| to hotel heart sick about my - strest nome .
"Whst viii you DO when you return to the
| city? Any thing new suggested to your mind, ,
Hardly know. Wish / could persuade
| some pretty daughter of my hostess to see thai
my rooms are as they should be; but L expect
| lna' IT. Is out or the question. Domestic grace.
| are quite out of the fashion now; but If the
| girls only knew it, we bachelors admire the
| fingers which sew on button, or darn stock.
| ing nicely, or, in emergencies, could cook q
hungry mans breakfast, just as much as we
| do those which embroider slippers, net purses 5,
or play the piano, and do nothing else but flut-
| ter a ian y 80 ......
Matrimony seems the sdcrnier resort 1t.
however, should be written matter-of-money,
Tor 1t makes purses ache to keep wives dressed
n0w.'' .. -, .-r....
"Can you not find a wife who would for
| your sake practice economy, and still dress
like sensible woman !' sand L, seriously.
PhiPs face was a show just then, and pro-
| fesSed to feel hurt at the lip he made to me.
Show me such a girl in the city of my love
and I'll go kneeling, and pay my devotion &.
her feet. Economy! why 60 keep the girls in
gloves, and CATERS, and ribbons, would require
small fortune, and tho weightier matters
would require mint of my own to furnish the
| needful." ..... .. . ..
Retrenchment in expenses would make a
sorry theme in courting a city girl, thou sh a
pretty country girl would neitheir faint nor
run away at the suggestion, would she '''
Just then the beil-excuse me-Maegie.
Pills sister summoned US to tea, and uhiie
enjoying the aroma of China's fragrant herb.
and tasting the nice cakes and maple syrup,
chatting with his father aud mother anu the
children, Phil forgot all else. So there ended
the first lesson. -E --.Teo-- .