The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1857-01-08

BY cATHARINE NJ. TRowBaIDGR.

Twas left an orphan at an early age, but was
kindly aud enderly cared for BY an afIectionae
uncle and aunt. My uncle. my guardian, was
just the man to whom dying parent would de-
sire to commit child Sn thought my father,
and so, too, thought the parents of Edward Lee,
when they were called TO prepare for that jour
uey from whence no traveller returns.
had been only year or two with my uncle
and aunt, when their house became the home
Of Cousin Edward, as always called him. We
were, in fact, only distantly related, but as We
we're, for years, domestcated beneath the same
protecting roof, the tie of relationship, which,
under Other crcumstan' es, would have been
very slender, was greatly strengthened.
Edward Lee was some years older than my
self, He was pursuing his studies, preparatory
TO entering college, when lie became an orphan
He was, therefore, only an occasional in
mate of my uncle's house, though he ever con-
sidered it as his home.
Edward possessed a noble, manly nature. He
despised natiery and deceit, though he was ever
gentle and considerate in his manners and con
versation. Our mutual relation, as inmates of
the same family, and wards of the same kind
guardian, was always pleasant and agreeable !;
Edwards vacations were seasons ever hailed
with great delight.
| was beauty and an heiress. My mirror
furnished evidence of the first-named fact; but
so often was otherwise Informed of it, in one
way or another that would not have remained
in ignorance of my personal charms, had every
mirror been shattered. No heirrss possessed of
beauty ever failed to draw around her crowd OF
admirers and hatterers, As for myself, | receiv-
ed no stinted measure of fattery and admiration.
My uncle and aunt were too indulgent and too
blind TO my faults; though was somewhat i'm
perious and self wlled Edward was the only
one who ever called my attention to these faults
Though his rpproofs were very kind and gentle
4 yet they sometimes irriuted me. 1t seemed tc
me us if he only saw faults inmy character, ant
! one day told him so. He gave me look tha
startled me, though failed at that time, TO re,
its meaning. 1t was the sudden involuntary
! exhibition of deep, hidden feeling.
5 "No, Ellen" he said; "you greatly mistake
see so much to love and admire, cannot en-
dure that any dark spot should mar the fair i'm
age. If it troubles you, Ellen, will never agai
annoy you in this way"
| My better feelings were aroused.
t 81 know you are my true friend, Edward
said. "You alone have the courage to tell m
Of my faults. need such a m 'ntor. | am tn
Hattered, fear, the spoiled child of fortune.
r mot spoiled, but no one was ever improve
}, by nattery," he said. kindly. Edward wa
>, home at this time, for the Christmas holiday
n On Christmas day we were alone in the librar,
Ellen, my dear, have proposal to make
he said"
| "What is it, Cousin Edward p l asked.
~ wish TO Offer you gift next Christmas, {
N one condition"
"What is the condition p
n perhaps you will be offended il tell you?
l. have some fears that you WILL"
As "You need not fear. You know that "
Ii say whatever you please. and never get {
rs Tended"
o Never keep offended said Edward with
arch look.
IL e" Well. let it go at that. Now for the &C
to dtion of that Christmas gift?'
Ill at is that you do not lose your self,contrC
er or yield 10 your sometimes imperious tenn
te once during the year"
By The deep color mantled my cheeks, and So
IT. little pettshly;
81 know of many who would consider it
2 privilege to b-stow upon me Christmas 6
without any conditions"
IT. "Iknow that Ellen, as we'll as you do
lpi:sd Ed%rrd, gently, yet grarIy; bot d