The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1857-12-24
8 Gbristllhla 5tnrg.
IFrom Godey's LSdys Book
HOW EFFIE HAMILTON
S ENT CHRISTI M AS,
pr yIaoIsIA pE Foaassr.

Come, reader, follow sse; and we will
steal peep at the hero and Heroine Of my
story. We are in wide street, sn large
city, facing a, very spacious add handsome
house. Come in. Ne pass through a
wide hall, up broad staircase, into large
psrlor, furnished with magni6cence Never
(. mind; we don't stop here. Pass on into a
: boudoir on the same floor IS the parlor !;
Z aud now we stop, for here are the objects of
our search. II is a cold evening il Decem-
ber; and large fire burns in the open
crate the shaded lamps throw subdued
light upon the beautiful furniture, glowing
carpet, large mirror, and exquisite paintings
which are in this pretty place.
BY the fireplace, his arm resting upon the
mantlepiece. is the master of the house, and
!. the owner of one Of the largest fortunes ip
this goodly city of -----. he is young
I, man, in bis twenty fifth year. bachelor,
!, and much couited by the maidens on ac-
count of his gentle birth, handsome face,
gentlemanly manners, and large fortune
I He is tall, and finely proportioned, has a
1 frank, manly face, large dark eyes, dark
brown curling hair, regular features, a beau
tifni smile, and an erect, graceful carriage |;
altogether, Clarence Hamilton is very
:" nice. young man." generous, intelectal,
high principled, and gentle as woman to
phis sister, his nearest, dearest relative, for he
,is an orphan. Seated in deep, crimson.
covered arm chair, and looking up into Clar-
.sences face, is that same sister. She is
dressed in full evening costume a pale blue
silk, cut low, shows a snowy neck and arm ;
rthe lace founces are gathered up in one lit
tile hand. revealing dainty little foot, with
a nicely fitting satin slipper; the broad sash
.encircles q mos. charming little waist; the
pearl ornaments might be envious of the
ghiteness Of the complexion they rival; and
the gold bracelets on her round arms are
scarcely brighter than the long curls falling
In such rich profnsion on her shoulders
Her features arc regular, her eyes large and
dark like her brothe.r's and she has also his
beautiful smile; but her tiny, perfect figure
looks quite fairy.iike when ceptrasted with
his six feet of stature. Claire she said,
p looking up at him with a sweet, winning
smile, 81 executed all your commissions
this morning" FAa
AYes- Have you bought my presents to
an my cousins" 7"
All. And have bought all the jewell
~ and finery ] intend to present TO my dear
! friends and relations, next week. What is
ahe use of this present giving at Christmas r.
II promotes good feeling" ss
Does IL make anybody love usi oh,
Claire, j have felt SO lonely this evening -
Everybody was clustering round me, max.
! ing pretty speeches, and fattering me; and
i knew all the time 1t was only my money
they courted. Money money! Do you
suppose Aun. Miriam would be so very ar
gent, and press me 50 earnestly to spend the
day with her and her cousins on WedHes-
day, II Iwere poori Why doesn't she in
Z yite her husband b cousins. the Morrisesi--
They are preiter than au. Anna is per-
: fec,Iy ssperb, in spite of her plain dress (;
saapd Robert is very fne.looking. Now. they
{ tednt 2 good dinner; but she doean't ask
{ them, No; she wants me; and I,won't
goA ,4 80. ~
%, = Wont 20 oss sssss e.,., = H,.s /.
No; ! mean 70 eat my dinner here and
7 invite yop TO be my guest =
- And accept the Invitation. We will
cut al our fine relstions, and eat dinner
Selone. Oh. there IL one person / should
iike 10 invite, Gerald Hastingsi Have you
any objections, petite sosr. 1t
None" 3S