St. Charles Republican intelligencer. (St. Charles [Charles City], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1856-09-25
how much evil we might prevent in
the world Blessings on the one who
has written

how much evil we might prevent in !
the world Blessings OH the one who
has written
"Nay, speak no lila kindly word
Can never leave sting behind;
And oh to breathe each tale we've heard
Is far beneath noble mind
Let us promulgatc it, one and all, for
it is worthy.
Pardon this little depression, dear
reader, and forgive my moralizing, in
view of my age and experience.
The next morning my cousin, who
is an uncommonly excellent reader,
read to us from Hyperion" and !
noticed then for the first time, and
often afterwards, that, whenever he
read anything touching or beautiful,
it was to Annie's expressive face
that his eloquent eyes glanced for
sympathy. ! saw him more than once
when Miss Featherstonaugh called
him to accompany her in our daily ex-
cursions, direct lingering look at
the modest girl by my side. He even
maneuvrcd, and occasionally with
success, to secure her for a compan-
ion. Miss Featherstonaugh was quick
to notice the change, and / saw with
pain that she visited her chagrin and
modification on the unoffending Annie.
She chose to consider her an inferior,
and assumed superciliousness OF
manner towards her that was as mex
cusable as it was unmerited. With
out being positively rude, she man
aged to annoy and grieve her in vari-
Gus ways. Annie endured patiently
and quietly, but she seemed to feel
deeply. l tried to restore peace for
awhile, but finding it impossible, and
remembering that Miss Featherston-
augh's visit was nearly over, 1content-
cd myself with screening Annie as
much as l could, while my kind-heart-
ed cousin redoubled his attentions.
Meantime, the evening for the long
deferred, long-cxpected party arrived.
Everybody came, and everybody SEEM
ed happy. Miss Featherstonaugh was
splcndidly attircd in lace, satin and
Jewels; while Annie, in her simple, be-
coming dress, looked lovely--the very
embodiment of youth, grace, and puri-
ty. l had procured musician for the
evening, so that my little modest flow
crct might not bloom unseen in the
crowd and / was rewarded, for saw
many an admiring cyefollow the light
graceful young figure, and rest on the
sweet truthful face of my favorite with
evident pleasure. After supper, the
young people who had fatigued them
selves with dancing returned to the
front parlor and stood talking in
groups about the room. Miss Feather
stonaugh reclined languidly in a fau-
teuil near the piano, which stood invit-
ingly open, talking with her brother
in-law, who had called, on his return
from Niagara, to conduct her back to
the city, as the summer vacation was
over. Annie stood opposite, talking
with little Nell Thompson, while my
cousin, leaning against a pillar behind
them, seemed to be quietly observing
all. AS l approached them, l heard
Miss Feathcrstonaugh's companion en-
treating her to play.
"No," said she, loudly and haughti-
ly, 81 am fatigued. Ask that person
Indicating Annie) she will oblige
you she is a music-teacher."
glanced at my cousin. He remain
ed perfectly motionless, but saw the
indignant blood mount to his forehead.
Annie, my DEAR" said l, determin-
cd that she should not play, and wish
ing to relieve her from her cmbarrass-
ing position, will you walk with me
in the piazza"
She accepted my offered arm CRATE
fully, and we went into the piazza,
where my cousin soon joined us, beg
ging, as he separated us, and drew an
arm of each within his own, to be al
lowed to insert himself between those
he admired most and loved best. !
took a turn or two with them, and then
excused myself, as had to return to
my guests, who soon after separated
for the night The next week Annie
returned home, Miss Featherstonaugh
went back to the city, my cousin left,
and was alone again.