Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1858-05-01

the sunset, but furnish us u picture of cxuui-
site landscape beauty.
OF course, Nellie and could not decline
this invitation, and the young man was very
careful IN assisting u.s. particularly my sister
over every stone and obstacle in the road
And then how ,charmingly he talked, getting
surreptitious ;lanccs of Nellie's face Mt all
time--that face that looked so strangely fair
with the dying day beams fitting like an
gels fingers among her brown curls
MIR. Preston accompanied us home that
night and when he had said Good evening""
and left us, turned back on the door step, and
saw him standing very STILL watching Nellie
all the while. told her, and the crimson
drittcd into her checks as she said, Don't
look, Annie, don't"
The next day, there came very richly
bound volume of "Tcnnyson's Poems" for
my sister Miss Nellie, from her friend
Edward" was written, in a beautiful hand,
on the fyleaf of the cover.
But mamma looked very grave when she
saw these, and that afternoon she and Nellie
had long private conversation. | only over
heard these words: "Rcmcmbcr my child,
that the proud father would never consent to
his marrying the daughter of poor and hum.
bic parents Education and natural refine
mcnt of taste and feeling would vainly plead
iii your favor. Wealth and social elevation
must be the dowry of the woman who mar
res the son of Squire Preston"
What a sensible woman my mother was
and so ladylikc, too. | always thought Mel
he's gentle, graceful manner was her bcQuest.
went into the room, after mamma had left
it, and found Nellie crying; one hand was
over hor oyeo, but could 500 the tears trav-
cling fast through her fingers. The books
were wrapped in the white paper which had
cnvelopcd them when they were received |
guessed, then, that she intended to return
them, and wished that beautiful gentleman
had given them to nc. I'd like to sec me
giving them back if he had
The next afternoon brought with it Mr..
Preston. don't know what Nellie lid to
him. but she came into the bedroom where
mamma and sat, looking greatly agitatcd,
and said, "mothcr. | havo done as you wish
ed. and returned the books; but he will not
receive them, and he requests that you will
favor him with private interview" Nam
ma rose up and walked into the little parlor,
and Nellie paced up and down the room with
two bright stains in her checks, and when |
spoke to her, she did not hear, until | had re-
pcated my question twice, and then she star
ted and stared ut me, saying, Don't talk to
me now, little sister, don'tw
Mammals low voice 1oated to my car, and
so did the gcntlcman's more distinctly, for
the parlor was not very far off; and, at last,
| heard him say, in a low, emphacic voice,
replying to some remark of hers" As if
wealth, or social elevation, Mrs. Graham,
were to be brought into comparison with
your peerless child. ask, [ desire no
dowry but her matchess self. No false
ideas of social rank or equality can influence
me IN this matter. Your daughter is all
solicit Do not, my dear madam, darkcn
my entire life by refusal" There was
pause, and, when mammals reply came, it
was spoken so low that / could not under
stand the words; but, in short time, she
rcturnc to the bedroom, saying to Nellie,
"My child, you have my consent to answer
the question he will ask you on my return
as you like"
How solemn mamma spoke.
And papa?" asked Nellie, eagerly,
though she blushed very red.
al will talk the matter over with him
this evenings" said mamma, smiling quiet
Nellie knew it was settled then. Papa
generally thought as mamma did.
i * x X Il
Goodness alive! What do hear Is
the boy mad Going to marry John Gra-
hams daughter, who couldn't raise three
thousand pounds !" and, in the extreme
horror which the bare contemplation of so
monstrous a fact elected, old Squire Pres
ton sprang from his easy chair, utterly OBJ
livious of gouL, rheumatism and a formida-
bic array of other ailments, which found
a permanent localzation in his corpulent
self and commenced pacing rapidly his
wife's apartment.
| know it, John; the news has really
overcome me, | doubt whether my nerves
viii ever recover from the shock they have
this morning received w and the lady
leaned back on the lounge with an air and
sigh, expressive of such entire physical and
mental prostration chat it was really quite
affecting to behold Ier.
well, we'll, wife calculated the squire
who, it must be confessed, did not seem
so deeply impressed by his wife's melan-
choly situation as the circumstances seemed
to reGuire-"the fact is, it won't do to be
talking about nerves now. The boys of
age, and unfortunately he can act as he
likes, and all can do or say won't make
this confounded matter whit better. |
can cut him off with shilling, but"
mere the squire's voice was not so emphatic
ally belligcrent, Z" )u know he's all we've
got, Aurelia, and it would be tough thing
to do that. But we must circumvent him
some way. BY fair means or foul, we must
prevent his marrying that girl. Ugh it
makes me sick to think of it,"
Yes, we must prevent it," said the la
dy on the lounge, with more animation than