Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-01-28

do not see that it is any business of any
body's.
In the meantime, a visitor Of differ
ent description arrived at the farm. A
cousin of Mrs. Evans had been as sue
cessful in trade as her husband had in
agriculture, and he had now sent his only
son TO become acquainted with his rela-
tons, and to spend some weeks in their
family.
Charles Foster was fine young man,
whose father was neither more nor less
than linen draper in a great town; but
whose manners, education, mind. and
character, might have done honor to a
far higher station. He was, in a word,
one of NATURES gentlemen, and in moth
ing did he more thoroughly show his
own taste and good breeding, than by
entering entirely into the homely ways
and old fashioned habits of his country
cousins. He was delighted with the
simplicity, frugality, and industry, which
blended with the sterling goodness and
genuine prudence of the great English
house. The women especially
pleased him much. They formed a
strong contrast with anything he had
met with before. No fnery--no CO.
quetry-no French--no piano J 1t is i'm
possible to describe the sensation of re-
lief and comfort with which Charles
Foster, sick of musical misses, ascer-
tanned that the whole dwelling did not
contain single instrument, except the
bassoon on which George Evans was
wont, every Sunday at church, to ex-
cruciate the ears of the whole congre-
gaiicn.
He liked both sisters. James softness
and consideration engaged his full es-
TEEN; but Patty's innocent playfulness
suited best with his own high spirits and
animated conversation. He had known
them apart, from the first; and indeed
denied that the likeness was at all puz
zling, or more than is usual between
sisters; and secretly thought Patty as
much prettier than her sister, as she
was avowedIy merrier. In doors and
out, he was constantly at her side; and
before he had been month in the house
all the inmates had given Charles Foster
as lover of his young cousin; and she,
when rallied on the subject, cried fe!
and pishl and pshawl and wondered how
people could talk such nonsense-and
liked TO have such nonsense talked to
her. better than anything in the world
Affairs were in this state when one
night Jane appeared even graver and
more thoughtful than usual, and far, far
sadder. She sighed deeply; and Patty,
for the two sisters shared the same
little room-inquired tenderly, what
allied her? The inquiry seemed to make
Jane worse. she burst into tears, whilst
Patty hung over and soothed her. AT
length she reused herself by strong
effort; and, turning away from her af-
fectionate comforter, said in low tone
''I have a great vexation to night,
Patty, Charles Foster has asked me to
marry him ~
"Charles Foster! did you say Charles
Foster l'' asked poor Patty, trembling,
unwilling even TO trust her own senses
against the evidences of her heart
"Charles Foster!'
eyes, our Cousin, Charles Foster p'
"And you have accepted him 90 in
quired Patty, in hoarse voice.
"Oh, no-no-no! Do you think
have forgotten poor Archibald Be
sides l am not the person whom he ought
to have asked to marry him false and
heartless as he is, would not be his
wife-cruel, unfeeling. unmanly as bis
conduct has been! No! not if he would
make me queen of England %
"You refused him then %
"No, my father met us suddenly, Just
as 1 was recovering from the surprise
and Indignation that at first struck me
dumb. Bul l shall refuse him most
certainly-the false, decei;ful, migrate
full villainl"
"Poor father! He will be disappointed
So will mother"
"They will be disappointed, and both
angry-but not at my refusal. Oh,
how they will despise him ~ added
Jane.
Poor Patty, melted by her sisters
sympathy, and touched by indignation
most unusual in that mild and gentle
girl, could no longer command her feel
ngs, but flung herself on the bed in that
agony of passion and grief which the
first sorrow seldom fails TO excite in a
young heart.
After a while she resumed the con-
versation.
"We must not blame him too severely.
Perhaps my vanity made me think his
attentions meant more than they really
did, and you had all taken up the notion.
But you must not speak of him SO un-
kindly. He has done nothing but what
is natural. You ere much wiser and
better than / am, my own dear Jane !
He laughed. talked with me-but he
felt your goodness; and he was right
III was never worthy of him and vou ara