Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-05-21

desired, to one, or both of those places, an
invited Mr.. Elgin to accompany US, te
chances to one whether, with The excite
ment, balls, and other amusements that a
tend such places, he would have propose
ior Louise's hand in marriage as soon as b
will here in this quiet little nook"
"Pshsw" exclaimed Louise. pettishly
"ten chances to one if be ever does; more
over, heard him tell pa that he intende
to visit Niagara Falls before returning t
the CITY,"
"Well," persisted Laura, "you can't hel
admiring this lovely little nook, as m
plesses to term it; and NO doubt we shal
find plenty to amuse ourselves with"
"Great amusement, indeed" said Louise
"to NOPE ones life away in this seclude
spot. I'd great sight rather remained a
home. It's too bad" And tears of vexa
tion came to her eyes as she thought of he
many fashionable acquaintances at Saratogl
enjoying a round of gsyety.
"That's nice looking waiting-maid o
Mrs. Appleton's," said Mrs. Jarvis, as Ain,
left the room, after seeing that they neede,
nothing.
"Yes, ma; but the idea of her dressing S,
absurd. Why. really, one would take he
for the mistress instead Of the maid Jus
think of her wearing bird's-eye liner
aproE!"
"The fact of it is," said Mrs. Jarvis
"working girls nowadays put themseles ~
at such height, and demand such exorbi
tant prices fer their services, that they car
afford to dress better than their employers. ,
"Come, come, wife, IT'S hi gh time the
girls were asleep! I'm afriad they will moi
be up 10 the morning early enough to see
the sun rise above the hills; and | can as
sure them it is worth the while, for it is ,
glorious sight; and, it we had to 60 forty
miles to see it, and pay Tor it, we should no,
consider it time Eor money thrown away
cried Mr.. Jarvis from the adjoining room.
Az have said before, Mr.. Jarvis and fam.
lily were from the city of Boston; and for
many years MIR. Jarvis had specuIated large
ly in produce; and it was said he had accu-
muateo quite fortune. But, be that as i,
may, with his own ard his family's extrav.
agauce, it soon vanished, however large or
small il might have been; and, instead ot
retiring from business, as was generally re-
ported, he merely wished to keep out of his
creditors way until he could make a shift
to appease their demands.
MIR. Richard Elgin's father was warmly
attached to The Jarvis family, so much so
that he insisted upon having Louise, his ia
vorite, for daughter-in-law; and, as Rich
ard was young man of good sense, and
quite prepossessing, and withal had consid-
cradle property in his own right, the would
be match was as apxious!y wished for on
the other side Now, there was nothing
lacking to make all happy save the consent
of the gentleman in question. Richard
hought 'if al first you don't succeed, try.
try again." and he did try very hard to like
Louise, and overlook her many faults, but
to no purpose. There was that same selfish,
cold, designing hypocrisy blended in all her
actit ms that was quite visible in spite of his
determination to think otherwise.
Richard and Louise were promenading
the walks around the garden, one evening,
when, coming suddenly upon Aline, Will,
and little En- seated upon the grass in a
semi-circle, they stepped back few PAGES
where they could see and not be seen.
"Come, Lima, do translate for us a story
in French" persisted Will.
"Oh, yes! Let it be Little Red Riding
Hood" said EN-.
"Capital ideal" chimed in Will.
So they all laughed, and Aline commen-
ced, not that the children understood French,
but they did like to hear her talk 81 funny
sit was SO like doves cooing," they said.
miss Louise, what think you now OF
Mrs. Appleton's maid!:' said Richard, after
the story was finished.
81 don't know. She amuses me wonder
fully; and dare say she is not what she ap-
pears; bu:, nevertheless, she seems content
with her lot, for she goes singing about the
house from morn till night ="
After walking about for while longer,
they returned to the parlor. where they
found Mr.. Appleton and Mrs. Jarvis enjoy
ing game of chess; while Mrs. Appleton
and Mr.. Jarvis were listening to Laura's
playing on the piano-forte.
"How inprudent you are to stay out after
the dew begins to fall!" said Mrs. Jarvis.
"I'm glad you have come, for Mrs. Apple
ton wishes US to sing Lilly Dale" said
Laura.
"You are all so pleasantly occupied,
will excuse myself, ami smoke a cigar out
on the veranda to keep away the mosquitoes" !"
said Mr.. Elgin.
He could not tell how long he had been
out there The music had ceased; now and
then light laugh came stealing through
the open window. He did not heed it, SO
busily was he thinking of Aline. "She is
a perfect picture of my sister in heaven" !"
said he, mentally, after viewing a small
miniature.
"Mr. Elgin, do come here" cried Laura,
for the third time.
"Why, man." said Mr.. Jarvis, as that gen.
tleman made his appearance, "your thoughts
must have been buried very deep in the
clouds not to hear your name called So
many times"
81 beg pardon; they were not liz the
clouds, but in heaven," replied he, smiling
complacently.
"Very WE'LL" said Mr.. Jarvis, we are dis
cussing the very grave subject Of where we
shall spend the morrow. Louise declares
SIZE shall die of ennui if she is cooped up
here another day. Mrs. Appleton has kind
ly suggested ride to the lake; and, if it
meets with your appreciation, it is settled
that we 60"
"Nothing would please me better. "Fve
been told that the scenery about the lake is
not surpassed in the country" replied Mr..
Elgin.
sAline," said Mrs. Appleton, coming into
the breakiast-room, next morning, where
she was busily employed in assisting Will
and EN- to their breakfast, 81 am anxious
that you should 60 with US to the lake. Pm
afraid if vou do not po now you will moi