True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-06-06
still undecided, might discover who thei
future husbands might be.


future husbands might be.
We spent a whole evening tying to
muster courage to 90 alone into da;k
place and mutter an incantation, Which
Ellen dictated to Us, three times, after
which, we were assured our future hus-
band would appear in luminous vision
before us. But each attempt ended i'll a
little shrek, and a sudden rushing towards
the friendly light.
Unsuccessful in this, the next night El-
len introduced the subject OF complexion,
always an interesting one to young girls,
and induced us all to put on before retiring
mask of dough, assuring US that it was
the best thing in the world to make the
skin fair and white. Just as We had fitted
the masks nicely to the face, and were be-
ginning TO get little nervous at the hid
eous, death-ike appearance our companions
made, Henrietta entered the room. She
had been mysteriously absent for an hour,
and we had been pondering what had be-
come Of her. At the first glimpse Of our
corpse-like faces, she shrieked, and turn,
ed to run, but fell trembling on couch
near her. Nor would she consent to pass
ia, night in the room until we unmasked.
I was quite relieved myself to see Virgin
las real face again, for was conscious Of
a strong shrinking and repugnance to the
figure that I had represented a short time
before.
Ellen did not take our weak fears very
patiently; but after reproving US rather
severely, and telling US that it was ridic.
ulous to be afraid of each other, and ask
ed eff we had ever tried buttermilk ant
tansy?"
| Ho, edlu WO'
"Well that is one of the best things il
the world for the skin. It takes off freck
} les and sunburns and everything else
Henrietta, you ought to use it, for you
know that in the spring you are alway'
: troubled with freckles."
"Not much," said Henrietta.
"But there is no need for any. I viii
l get some fresh buttermilk tomorrow, anc
you must try it."
The next afternoon I saw Henrietta set
f ting forth on her solitary walk. I hasten
ed to overtake her. She was far in ad
vance of me, and I soon lost sight Of her
but following the narrow winding patti
through the woods, I came at last on ;
small open space. Henrietta was stand
ing there, turned away from the direction
} in which I stood, talking in low voice tt
a young gentleman. He raised his eye
as I approached, and our glanoes met.
l turned quickly away, and went back wise
: than I came. From an instructive feeling
Of delicacy, did not mention to any On'
f what had discovered, and I saw by Hen
s rietta's manner that she was aware of my
r untimely attention to her.
8 This was the last evening before the on'
of the wedding, and Ellen, pressing upoI
< us the necessity of looking as we'll as poss
d ible, urged us to use the buttermilk sh
e had obtained for our beautifying. Thi
i was an improvement on any of her sug
t gestions, and we yielded willingly, no
i, without q certain faith in hor assertions
that we would find ourselves as fair as lii
les in the morning.
: Henrietta was again absent, and did no
return until the candle was dying away il
: the socket, and we were almost asleep.
! "Where have you been?" asked Viz
o ginia.
!. "On the porch. It was such pleasan
] night that I could not bear to stay in tn
! house" " ,a. .
: "Have you been alone all this time Y"--
said Ellen, pityingly.
9 30, I don't mind that; sit alone
great deal at home"
t I noticed the indirections in the answe
: and understood it; but the others wer
o unsuspicious.
o eff you will call Abbe, she will brinI
1 you CANDLE" said Virginia, half asleep
Q "No, / thank you. The moon give
light enough to me-"
Q I fancied from the tones of Henrietta
f voice, that she had been weeping; but sh
kept in the shade, so that could not Sc
j. her. Just as she was about TO retire, EI
4 len reused herself to remind her Of tn
: cosmetic.
s ~ put some away for you," said she
'It is in bottle on the lower shelf in th