The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1857-09-26
THE CHOICE.
BY MARGARET VERNE.


81 have known Robert ever since was a
child, to be sure. Even since We went to Miss
Willey's school together; he q little boy in
linen frock and palm-leaf hat, and Istep-
ping high in my new dignity Of muslin
dresses and white aprons. Yes | have
known him-and known him well-from the
time he brought the cowslips and daisies
from his fathers fields, and laid them bash
fully upon my low desk, up to the hour he
stood in our little parlor, and said to me,
plainly and simply, as he always speaks:
ssAlary, love you better than any one
else upon earth. Will you be my wife!'
81 do not know why, but have been ex
pectins this all my life. Expecting that
some day Robert Sprague would reach out
his brown hand to me, and offer to lead me
carefully and kindly adown this rough, yet
sweet and beautiful life.
But have not thought that should stand
hesitating over his offer while he had gwen
his great noble heart to my keeping. Yet l
had not known Willard Pierson then.
had not dreamed of the rich poetry and
sweet flow Of language that would SO en-
trance my whole being. l had not thought
that tall, slender and singular graceful
form that would glide between my heart and
Roberts, shutting out for a timc-will it be
forever?-his noble face and quiet, deep
ways. A preacher pure minister of the
gospel; learned, eloquent and high-minded-
and true, honest, and to me always re-
spectful and tender, country farmer! How
l wish knew how to choose! One makes
me restless, uneasy, and yet so ambitious
by his refined elegance; and the other sends
happy, trustful thrill through my heart, as
with one appreciatiye glance of his eyes, he
tells me, what six months ago would have
made my highest bliss to know. One offers
me city home, where the spacious rooms
seem like beautiful gardens, with their cost
ly, floral carpets, and vases of crimson cacti
and dropping fuchias and myrtle. A libra
ry of books, from which be would teach
me all irish to know. He tells me of ex-
quisite statues standing in the soft twilight,
day; of broad pictures, which tell enchant
Ing stories Of foreign lands, and make the
soul leap out in song at their loveliness.-
And he says that, amid all these beauties
and luxuries, he will strive to lead me up
to the height which he has attained. The
other-O, Robert!-offers me simple cot
tage, with shade trees, lilacs, pansies and
roses in front, and a broad garden at its
back, bounded on two sides with current
bushes and cherry trees, and bathing its
rough feet in saucy, coquettish brook,
which laughs and sings all day at the igno-
rant grasses and flowers that lay their heads
upon its bosom, as if to stay for while its
silvery waters. The brook where Robert
taught me to fish, and said laughingly at me,
that the reason why Twas not more success
full, was because the fish were too busy with
my portrait in the water, to pay attention
to the bait. He has library very little
one, of course-to be kept in a bookcase;
but don't doubt he knows every word it
contains. o. if | only knew what was right
for me! When | 60 to mother for advice,
she will only say:
ssMarv, which do you love best?'
sI suppose if 60 to God, he will aid
me. asked Robert once--when my BROTH
or died-if he ever prayed; and shall new
er forget the soft, reverent manner in which
he answered, as he drew me to an open win
dow, where he could see broad, green fields,
and high, white piles of summer Clouds
sAIary, how can | help praying and praising9'
81 think he is very noble; for when he
noticed my hesitancy Of manner at the time
he asked me to be his wife, he said:
81 understand how it is. You have an
others happiness, besides mine, to decide.
You have an offer from man that stands
higher in life than l do. | do not fear for
your decision, Mary, for have great faith
in your purity of action and thought. |
would not, for the sake Of my love for you,
urge you to cast in your lot with an humble
farmer, when all the advantages Of high
position in society lie waiting for your &C
ceptance. Act as you will, my friend''
The clock striking ten, aroused Mary
Ashley from her reverie; and throwing back
her long, unloosed hair from her face, she
went to an open window and looked out in
to the starry night, and with clasped hands
and raised eyes, she seemed in the immedi-
ate presence Of him to whom she prayed.
A week later, Mary sat in her chamber
pondering over the visit she had made to
MIR. Persons home in the city; and with a
happy smile upon her face, she took her
diary and wrote as follows:
"Mr. Persons is beautiful home, and
he is an accomplished man. Hadit not been
for one little occurrence which transpirad
while was there, should have now besn
his betrothed wife. One morning, very
early-long before | thought any one be-.
sides myself was astir in the house,
thought to enjoy quiet view of street life
in the city, and accordingly went softly down
stairs into the front parl0r. ! had been
there but few moments before heard
voices which seemed to issue from the back
parlor, through the folding doors, which
were slightly ajar. l at once recognized
them as belonging to Mr.. Pierson and his
sister Frances. s.~E so .fEas
"sYou will marry Miss Ashley, then, will
you not, Willard?' asked the lady.
"sCertainly, certainly, Frances answer
cd the gentleman. sLong since, that sub
ject was settled 81 :. .a.. .u
"'And the lady has not hesitated, At all
over your offer?' '"
"'Ha, ha, ha! You amuss me, sister;
why, how could she hesitate, when SO mucl.
was offered for her acceptance?'
/" sAnd you think her in every way fitted
to become your wife?-your equal in mind
and education?'
"'No, not my equal in mind. Few wo-
men rise to the elevation Of understanding
of which we men boas-you are an excp-
ton, Frances. Mary is pretty, kind and
affectlonate, and will be faithful to me.
shall ask no more Of her. -.
81 did not wait for any other revelation,
but with greatful heart, went back to my
chamber. Icould not wed man, who would
stoop to utter falsehood to save bis own
vanity from being wounded-a man who was
professedly welded to holiness and purity;
and 80 when he aske al n,c the day following.