Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1857-10-01
selett&b Cult.
MY SISTERS HUSBAND.

I was the Youngest OF handsome family.
Nv three sisters each in her way, were very
nretty; but /, the youngest, and with natu-
roI right to be the pet of the house, was never
either beauty or favorite. My rights in
the matter of fayortism were, and from the
FIRST day of her existence had been entirely
mopopolized by my third sister, Caroline.
was not, however, envious of that it doubt
less suited her better to be made pet, than
il would have suited me. Ny lack of beauty
did regret but as that want could not be
remedied, | endeavored to become reconciled
TO the face and figure God had given me-
These were both small, and the first sallow
and thin. 1t boasted, however, and boasts
still. of at least one striking feature, pair of
large black eyes.
Nv two eldest sisters were married while
was still girl at school. They both became
the wives of military men, and both within a
year of their marriage, accompanied their hus-
bands to India. | have never seen either
of them since. My third sister, however re-
maned at home, and there | joined her when,
a girl of seventeen, my school life ended.
| was fond of Caroline, and she too, I be-
ieye of me- yet her affection was by no
means that Of an elder sister for q Younger
As said before, she, and not |, occupied the
position of Youngest in our household She
was spolt, while was left unpetted she was
fattered and admired, while no eye looked at
and no lip spoke of me she was encouraged
and almost compelled to lean On other people,
while was left to depend upon myself.
Icame from school full of a happy plan of
life. We had no mother, and our father was
mill-owner, and for many hours each day
away from home. These periods, when Caro-
line and should be left together meant to
turn to good account [ was better educated
than she was, and | meant to give her lessons
| cared for study, and [ meant to make her
learn with me where was most ignorant. |
came home primed with my project, and the
first domestic tiding received was the news
that she was to be married within six weeks
She gave me the information herself, as |
stood taking off my bonnet in nay room-gaye
it me with the prettiest bushes in the world
with the smallest, tmdest voice-So softly
and Shyly, indeed, that at the first telling |
neither heard nor comprehended what she said
But, for any sympathy that she got, or was
likely to get from me, | understood quickly
enough
moment Of this declaration in my place, she
would do not doubt, have forthwith put her
NJ arms around CarolineS neck, and conveyed her
N congratulations to her with much affectionate
W kissing, and probably some few tears.
M gneve to say that in no manner approached
VI any such demonstration. | simply expanded
my black eyes till Caroline's blue ones sank
before them, aud broke into one short sentence
which fear was neither affecting nor consoa-
tory.
Her lover was in the house, however, at that
moment and | had to go down stairs and see
lnl as soon as had smoothed my hair
found him in the drawing-room with my father,
and my father presented me to him.
HalIam, my daughter Anne"
My daughter Anne" put out her hand
and 1t was enclosed straightway between a
large palm and fngers-enclosed, but not
SFaSped. | was small and cool Mr. Hallam
on the contrary, large and nervous What to
20 with my hand when he had got possession
III, or what to respond to the salutatiOn that
made him, he seemed equally at loss to
Know. lie stood high above me, a tall hand
some young man. looking into my face with q
StrangeIy-startled gaze futtering my hand up
and down with feeble irresoute touch.
MI This is our youngest, our little school girl +"
she ~ y 10
No, certainly !"
Ills eyes turned to CaroIines face with
quick, beaming, pleasant look his fingers
esFTPped from my hand, and | retreated to my
.a'lerS "a side, taking to myself the consolation
.Ia' II my own reception had been neither
segaht nor cordial, my sisters future husband
euun at least in regarding her, wear look of
naniless.
AS for me thought it likely enough that
le % would take little further notice of me. In
WIS, however, | found myself rather singularly
I mistaken He dined with US that day, and
"lulS The whole time of dinner | was con-
t.'OuS OF the continual movement of his eyes
S"aLaS me. ! became aware too, that each
can ,ons ue detected my gaze upon himself he be-
os' a'Ie strangely disconcerted to an extent that
j. 11eu 1 me he stammered and grew confused
"nat he said he even more than once alb
P''! broke Oft his sentence. / grew both
a'p'iSed and perplexed, yet except for this
MI tiusuiar nervousness, / liked him. preferred
in ,Ii uecdedly to either of my other brothers
nav and so | told Caroline before we slept
vb;I conscience smote me for the manner in
.'u had received the first announcement of
W. Engagement, and some amende for that cool
appeared to me called for.
s;., lour husband will have more in him than
,Ter James or Harriets, Carry" | said,
Of t%IuSh ~ it is pity he does not break himself
.lat nervous manner"
g D'd you think him nervous ?"
Ovo. Am y deaf and blind? He seems to get
paorJa' ~ however, when he is accustomed to
#fot5ravv j ne shows none of it to you or to my
Da's Anne" She said, at is strange. 7