True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-03-19

ming; SO kind, so gentle, SO impossible to
be ruflsd; and many young gallants who
in their recollections Of Glenwood called
up the faces of it's rustic beauties, with
lips and rosy cheeks, and fash
ing eyes, and bewitching curls, found sweet
of the quiet, winning, unobtru-
sive ways of homely Ma ria, far to out weigh
them all.
Aunt Elsie sat by the fire, knitting; the
cat dozed ut her feet-lost in dreams of
cat-land, where the mice are numerous, and
plump and sleek, and the toasted cheese
abundant, and the cream delicious; only
starting ms the embers settled down on the
hearth, or squirting sleepily with one eye
at times at her little prodigy who was let
ting out the yarn from aunt Elsie's ball
with the alacrlty OF practised whaler.
While Maria sighed at the window, the
gate without was shut with slam, pre-
limjnury stamping was heard in the hall,
and in moment aterward Fred Grayson
burst into the room.
He was wild, romping young fellow,
with fine figure, beautiful eyes, handsome
features, and rich musical laugh that put
everybody in good humor from mere SYM
patty. In fact, just such a "cousin" as
every woman can remember hen she looks
back into the past. He had been one sea-
son to college, and was a fine, intelligent
fellow-at the bottom Of every species Of
harmless sport.
"Fun ahea!, Maria! fun ahead!" he
cried, flinging the esnow from his cap around
the room, uhmindful that huge flake i'm
pertnently settled on Aunt Elsie's nose.-
"Hip-hurrah! fun ahead, say, Maria.
Ben Bolton-you know Ben--a greut clod-
hopper of a fellow, yet soclable withal
well, Ben, as was going to say, is hitch.
ing up his four-horse sleigh, and will be
round in half an hour to take US over to
BellviIle. So get ready"
Erred Grayson, you thoughtless fellow!'
cried aunt Elsie, "look at the snow-tracks
you have made in the room It's just like
you"
"rhey can be seen without spectacles,
do say, aunt; but it is some consolation
to know that Sits just like me- couldn't
help it though, aunt; am going to GO
through the world leaving my tracks,"
"Yes--yes, wild boy; snow-prints,
guess"
"No, aunt, not snow-prin.s," cried Fred,
his face fushing-"tracks more substantial
and lasting. Blazer tracks in the wilder
ness of the world; real pioneer marks tor
those behind to follow me through the
world of thought"
"You had better soon begin then," said
aunt first, by getting rid of your
thoughtless why's. Now take the fre-shov-
ell and gather up the snow, while Maria is
getting ready"
"That Ill do, aunt" said Fred, taking
the shovel and the tuIkey-wing from the
hearth and brushing up the snow. "Did
you say had better begin soon. Why
bless your dear soul / have begun; and
am going through, too, with just such
strides as made into the room. The
world will hear of Fred Grayson, mind il
it don't, aunt"
"Yes--Fred Grays and his seven
league boots," retorted Elsie with smile.
"Pooh! that don't make me angry. Here
now; the snow is all removed and so you
can draw up your face again. | wonder,
aunt" added Fred, shade of thoughtful
ness passing over hs expressive counten-
ance, "if ever make ms-steps in my life
time, whether they can be us easily erased
as these snow-prlnts! A very important
query, ain't it, aunt! But here comes Ma
ria"
8 Maria entered the room; she was plainly
yet comfortably attired, and had pair OF
gum shoes in one hand, and warm, heavy
shawl in the other.
"Who all are going, Fredl" she asked,
throwing her shawl over the back of a
chair.
"Oh, lots fourteen in all; Harvey Nor
gan, the new beau, among the gentlemen;
and among the ladies-stuck-up Mary
Pease, and prudish Helen Spencer, and gid
dy Kate Lawson, and her sister Sue, and
Jane Gray-and-and-Fanny White
and-and-last and least, homely Maria
Thayer.".
"Much obliged to you Fred" said Maria
smiling.
"No thanks, Mariana thanks; folks are
always welcome>to their own" and Fred,
with mischievous laugh, cut pigeon
wing around the room, ,readng on the cats
tail, and almost upsetting crock of batter
OH the hearth, creating new source oI
worriment to aunt Elsie.
"No offence, Maria; all fun you know =
and Fred passed his arm around her and
looked with his dark eyes into hers; .,you
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