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

! freshness and vlYacity prevailed, which
made all deficiencies sources of merri-
ment, and diffused more real pleasure
than all the balls that Mrs. Potiphar
ever gave.
If the girls showed too decided par
tiality for officers uniforms, the young
city beaux bore it With commendable
indifference, and took their harmless re-
venges all in good time.
Mr.. Fielding was the gentleman par
eacellence, however: first, he was hand
some; second, he was rich; third, he was
reserved; fourth, melancholy; fifth, mys-
terious; sixth, he was not marrying
man-six good reasons why he should
be sought after. He was not perfect,
although the ladies called him so; and
therefore he must be excused for the
small portion of his sex's vanity which
he inherited, which made him mot in
sensible to the curiosity he piqued and
the favorable impressions he made.
This consciousness on the part of the men
is very detestable, and exists usually
with no good grounds to found it upon;
but in his case there was something to
command attention, and he really re-
ceived it with dignity, and nourished
his self-complacency but very little up
on it.
He could not have been called
gloomy man; and perhaps even the mel
ancholy the ladies invested him with was
half in their imaginations; though GER
tainly during the first of the season
there was the pallor of suppressed sor-
row upon his brow. But his nature was
a mipgling of sunny geniality with a
deep reserve; the warmth breaking out
when subjects of common interest, such
as music, beauty, or art, were being dis
cussed, and the reserve following upon
any reference to himself personally.
The life ehemDw lived suited him we'll.
He had the advantages of solitude and
society both. When in town, he was
petted and made favorite; when out in
his own little cabling he was away from
the world of action as completely as if
buried in the cell of hermit. He
would have pined for those things which
make city endurabfe to a gifted mind
rich music, glorious pictures, works
of art and luxury; but, for the present,
nature was all these and more to mind
satiated with too much living And then
the novelty of playing father to little
girl! It was very pleasant family cir
Gle, that of his home. Mrs Muggins
was as tidy as she was talkative; though
he had way of checking an excess of
the latter virtue when it became wear
isome. She kept little Myrtle as neat
and beautiful as a lily, SO that the fas-
tidious bachelor could call her to his
knee without fear of offence from soiled
face or soiled garments. The child was
more than the amusement of his idle
hours. He took almost mothers in
terest in the unfolding of the pure fow-
er of her soul, the new developments
of her mind, and the rapid expansion of
her physical powers. And, while he de-
lighted to teach her, she also taught
him-many lessons of guileless faith,
and the simplicity Of innocence, and the
loveliness of nature as God made it in
its freshness.
So, with books and his flute, hunting
and his visits to town, the winter passed
by. He stood up as groomsmau at the
wedding of pretty Minnie Greggs will
the young lieutenant. Miss Bluebird
avowed that he seemed preyed upon by
secret grief during the evening; but nt
one else felt assured of it; and she coulc
not win hinr to uubosom his concealed
unhappiness-which, "like wormi' th'
bud," fed on his heart-to her sympa
thy. So, out of revenge, she shortly
after married drygoods merchant, who
at this present writing, is spoken of al
one of the founders of Wakwaka, anc
who has retired to residence upon th'
| banks of the lake, adjoining Mr.. Field
; ing's three hundred acres, and who car
count himself worth two hundred thou
sand in Wakwaka railroad stock, ant
} one hundred in town lots, besides hi
pretty villa and grounds where he re
sides.
The spring came, and other summer
, and winters passed, and still Hugh Field
, ing lived in his cabin, hunted, fshed
, read, dreamed, philosophical, and seem
ed to change in nothing, for the year.
sat lightly upon him. He was conten
; to be kind of wonder to his neighbors
and to do as he pleased. The city grew
and thrived apace; and, as the banks o
: the lake became thronged with beauti
r full residences, many slittering lur'
was held out to induce him to part will
, his precious bit of land. But he wa
not to be tempted. Not an acre would
ne part with. Selfish" said some
"Holding on for an enormous price,
said Others. "No eye for beauty--nt
trste. Allowing SUCH an Eden to rur
! wildl I wish I had it," said many 6
wealthy person of cultivated ideas who
: coveted his possessions.
Despite of all, he had his own way
, about IL. He did not even. "improve'