Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-08-06
CHAPTER XIII.

worthy of better cause, was laboring to
blast the happiness, if not the character,
of Helen, she and her father, in front Of
their cabin, were enjoying the company of
Jane Estelle and Messrs Motley and
Eskridge, who constituted what Mr.. Berne
called his little family circle--all indulg-
ing in that species of "small talk COM
mon to every period since the days of
Adam. We use the term in no offensive
sense for the light and frivolous must take
precedence, in mixed conversation, until
the minds of both sexes are better stored
with useful knowledge, and love of pro-
gressiye Improvement supplants the love
of present amusement. And it was in ac-
cordance with these views, that Mr.. Motley,
somewhat ungallantly, remarked that it
was Legitimate cause of offense to any
lady for gentleman to talk sense to her I"
"Wo must excuse Mr.. Motley's severe
structures upon the fair sex, said Mr..
Eskrdge, in reply to the foregoing re-
mark, because it has been predicted, by
fortune teller, that he is never to marry,
and in revenge, for his hard fate, he is
acting the old bachelor, in advance, by
pronouncing the grapes sour"
at is true, | never expect to marry
but twill be the result of policy, not fate.
And | will leave it to these ladies to say
whether they do not believe could take
choice of some three or four, whose eyes
followed me, this morning, wherever l
went
II, for one, said Jane, "am not pre-
pared to answer in the Affirmative, until |
know to whom you allude and even then.
should be unwilling to uphold you in a
charge of indiscretion against any one of
my own sex. But / do believe, that, from
the length of time your gaze was fixed
upon young lady--whose name l do not
know-you have determined to ascertain
whether or not the grapes are sour.
"You see, Ned" said Mr.. Eskrdge,
that one of your fair judges has decided
against you, and that your vanity has led
you into difficulty"
'Not at all, sir; and so far from having
my vanity wounded, feel highly fattered
Wy the knowledge that my movements were
closely observed by lady of James ac-
knowl1dged taste
al was very much pleased with the ap-
pcarance of the lady alluded to" replied
Jane-joining in the laugh at the con
struction put upon her remark-''and it so
happened that ] could not look at her, Mr..
Motley, without seeing you, and curiosity
led me to watch the issue of an attraction
which drew your attention from every
other object, win you be so good as to
.ell us her name, and that OF the elderly
lady who sat by her? presume you
know them both, for saw you conversing
with them and, | believe, without the cere-
mony of an introduction.
"And what is the use of waiting for an
introduction, Jane? We have to form
the acquaintance, even after the inroduc-
ton and as to ceremony, hate the word
IT mars deal of enjoyment without being
productive of any good that am aware
Of Besides, we are all members of the
same great family, and should not treat
each other as strangers"
Gan that may be true, Mr.. Motley, but
it is no answer to my question"
The young lady" he replied is Miss
Ann Lee-sister of Mr., Henry Lee
and the other is her aunt, Mrs Whitman,
of South Carolina They arrived last
night; and hearing Miss Lee wonder
whether her brother had arrived here, ac-
cording to promise, l volunteered to give
the information sought for
Il will thank you to give mo an intro
luction to them, Mr.. Motley" said Mr.
Barne, "ifyour prejudice against ceremony
will permit it. feel bound to pay some
attention to Miss Lee pn account of her
'ather, and wish Helen and Jane to make
heir acquaintance"
Certainly, sir, / will introduce you to
them, with pleasure. But l forgot to say
Jhat Mrs, Whitman is widow, and per,
aaps may incur heavy responsibility
by bringing about an acquaintance be
tween you
~ shall not hold you accountable, sir
Cor any risk ! may run; and in the event
but here comes Mrs. Meddler, DO be
.ievo, and we must not breathe a syllable
tba; we are not willing the world shall
bEar'