True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-10-24
Selett Gale,
From Petcrson's Magazine.
SISTER MARY'St COURTsHIP.
BY FANNIE MoREToN.

m"PRAY tell me what you are reckoning
up in that busy braineof yours, Louise ?
Be careful that you don't go TO counting
your chickens before they are hatchcd,
like that unfortunate milk-mald grandma
used to tell us of. Let that be a salutary
lesson TO you, sister mine, never to in
dulge in day dreams or build foundation
less castles in the air.
'Thank you, Mrs. Mary, for your sage
advice. Perhaps some day or other |
may profit thereby. But my thoughts
Just now had very little to do with either
milk-mads or chickens, | was wander
ing mentally in higher sphere-cacu-
lating how many years my charming Sis
ter had been wife
.'Ah Lucy dear, that reminds me, did
I,never tell you the history of my court
ship! For | now recollecl you were
travelling with papa in Europe at that
time and though five years have passed
since became faithful helpmate 10 my
leige and lord, yet you have never dtign-
ed TO visit US in our western home until
the present summer.
You know very well why | have not,
Mary. While inclination has often bid
den me, duty has percmptorily called
another way
'Never mind bringing up an endless IL
rade of excuses now, but just please
touch the bell, and tell Kate to take Mag
gle and Edward walk to their grandma's,
and | will commence
Very little did that darling sister OF
mine look like wife and mother, with
her soft brown hair parted on her fair brow
and her eyes as bright and blue as ever
and as she stood before the dressing glass,
she laughed gaiIy and exclaimed, as ii
speaking aloud the 'houghlshhat were al
that moment passing through my mind
4 don't look so very old, do | Lou,
though have been married five years
rm sure my checks are as rosy as ever
Oh, Lou, how have wanted 10 look pale
sometimes, because then, you know, one
looks far more Intellectual. Instead OF
that, l always had sucia bright color like
any farmers daughter. But one thing is
true, the cares of the household,' as Aunt
Ophelia says, don't trouble me much, for
Mamie does everything so we'll
'But, Mary, l can see no very intimate
connection between her doings and your
cour,ship, so if you ever intend to begin
pray do
so will, love, only have little pa
tience,' said she, gaily, STOPPING dowr
and kissing me. But | assure you yor
will find it very dull and uninterestlHg
no 'hair-breadth escapes, no 'spr'el
horse just ready to throw itself and rider
(myself of course) over some steep pre-
cipice, when just at that exact momen
some hero of the wood vii come gallant
ly forward and become my preserver ant
future lover No handsome, manly
cousin 10 fall in love with and become hi
daily companion in walks and rides
Nothing of all this. forewarn you
buff you still persist in hearing my hom'
story, you shall have it,
Merely bowing my head in assent, 70
l uas becoming impatient, my sister seat
ed herself on low fOotstool at my lee
and began.
sYou remember Mrs. Milton, who uset
to visit us in the city, and make me 81
many handsome presents Well sh'
owned charming place near the sea
shore. Oh, Lucy, if you have neve
been there | cannot describe it 10 you
The house itself is old-lashioned, AM
the furniture, though antique, is rich ant
costly. shall never forget the man.
pleasant evenings | have spent in tina
yine.clad porch, with the whole expans
of blue, clear water lying almost at m.
feet. When laying aside my book
would sit fairly entrauced in the cain
grey hour Of twilight when silence reign
ed around--and the moon shed her sol
ligh, over the rich and varied scene. Tru
" has il been said that man made tn
city. But God made the country.
Mrs. Milton was kind-hearted wo