The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-12-17

coloring to all their admiratlon; and did
not fail to pay compliments to Mrs.
Muggins for the way in which she took
care of her. Some bonbons and cakes
they had for her, too, which delighted
her at the time and made her i'll after.
wards.
1t is strange fact that, when a gen.
tleman seems to shun their society, and
especially with shade of melancholy
| about his unsociableness, the ladies are
certain to be infatuated with him and
rice verso. Whether this arises from
sympathy, or wish to prove ones own
attractions and powers upon so differ
ent a subject, or from the interest which
always clings to anything mysterious, or
from all three combined, who shall say?
These four young women could any of
them have been surrounded by admi-
rers, and each had her choice out of two
or three, without troubling herself to
walk out to Mr.. Fielding's upon the
small chance of attracting his attention.
For, as yet, the men we're largely in ad-
| vance, in point of numbers, the female
population of Wakwaka; and, what was
better, they were all ready, or nearly
ready to provide for wife; and thus
the girls were in no danger of that for
{ lorn fate which sometimes overtakes
spinsters ir the old States, where the
chances for getting living are fewer,
and from whence all the enterprising
young men have gone West.
1t may have been the beauty of the
afternoon and the beauty of the baby,
after all, which led them so far.
II am so fond cf children; and this is
such sureet little thingl' cried Miss
Minnie Greggs, looking up to the gentle
man confdingly, and then kissing pretty
Myrtle SO suggestively, and after which
she tossed back her jetty rim slets and
looked up again for sympathy.
Mr.. Fielding smiled into her saucy
black eyes. He could not help admir-
ing the wiles which he understood,
"She is very lovely in all regards, -
he said, "and becomes more dear to me
all the time. I used to think children
were nuisances; but [ am glad of the
chance which threw this one in my path
She has become my morning star"
"But don't you think she will need
some other feminine influence in mould
| ing her character than that of Mrs
| Muggins?" asked Miss Bluebird, senti-
mentally, and in too low tone for the
housekecpcr's dull ears "Some one
whn will take the place of a mother-a
refued being-whose looks and tones
would"
Resemble those of my friend, Miss
Bluebird," broke in Minnie Gregg, with
the gravity of the wickedest mischief
Chow can you'll 1 declared 1 shall
be offended with you," cried that lady,
blushing, while the others laughed.
Hugh did not laugh; some stern
thought seemed 60 have crossed his ge-
nial humor. ''No, Miss Bluebird," he
answered, almost severely, "I want nc
influences except those of nature, and Of
music, and we'll chosen books about this
child, with such sentiments of truth and
fidelity, purity and earnestness of heart
as 1 can instil into her. She shall be
raised outside of society. She shall moi
be taught vanity and artifceSand then
if she fail in being what 1 desire, 1 shall
believe that Mother Eve never entirely
deserts her children"
For few moments he was rather
taciturn Miss Minnie rallied from ;
remark she was afraid was intended a!
rather personal, and changed the sub
ject.
"Have you heard the news, Mr.. Fiel
ding? You have not? You know thost
horrible Indians that we have been 81
afraid off"
"We?" inquired fearless looking
girl, who was evidently ready for almos
any kind of an impromptu adventure.
"WelI, everybody else but you, the1
even the men. We are going to hav
regiment stationed near US this win
ter to keep the Indians at distance
Just think of it-won't it be delightful
We officers will be apt to be such pleas
ant men, you know. And we shall hav
balls, of course"
II have been teazing mother to sem
me back to our old home for the win ter
until heard of this," said the othe
girl of the gronp; "but now am quit
content to stay"
II wonder why it is that the girls al
ways have such a passion for an cpau
lette on mans shoulder," said MI
Fielding recovering his equanimity
"The glitter of an officers insignia vii
make any man irresistible"
because we like our opposites; an
soldiers are supposed to be brave as W
S are weak. We like to be defended,
8 said Miss Bluebird.
"I do not like officers half as we'll a
n farmers or hunters" said the brave Mis-
t Thomas, with a saucy glance at Hugh
] by the way" suddenly exelaime'
;, Minnie Greggs, 81 had almost forgotte'
. to tell you what Lieutenant Series re
y IIatad 20 mo 1ost avanino obo,,t a mort.