Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-07-22
CHAPTER II.
Ring! ring! ring!


haps twenty-five years Of age, with han'
some, intelligent countenance, and an a
of true politeness which distinguished hiI
as a man Of good sound sense. combinin
the fashionable air and manner with rar
manly excellence and true merit; not pas:
ing with power alone among the gay an
heartless, but also among the honored an
the learned.
After the compliments Cf the day wer
passed, and he apologized for his early cal
on account of business taking him fror
the village, to be gone some length of time
he inquired for Miss Louise.
Julia touched the bell and ordered tn
servant-wko obeyed the summons-tp cal
Louise.
"Plaze, ma am, but indeed, Miss Louis
cannot lave now, for she's got her hand
in the pie crust. bless her swate sowl!"
"Obey me this Instant" commando
Julia, end the daughter of the Emerald ISL
closed the door with bang, and descende,
to the kitchen.
81 an truly ashamed to say, Mr.. Leslie
that my sister has some very strange no
tions-that of assisting the cook certain
number of hours every day, for instance
am afraid" she added, gaily, "you will b,
troubled with her very mucn before you car
rid her of them; for when she is Mrs. Les
lie you will have little idea of nv anxiety
on her account"
We will here inform the reader that Mr.
Leslie and Louise were betrothed. There
was slight curl on the gentleman's lip
but he made no reply.
Louise is a strange girl" and Miss
Winters played nervously with her watch
chain "Do you not :hink," she contin-
ued ait is singular as well as foolish idea
that a young lady should understand all
the mysteries of the kitchen, Mr.. Leslie?''
There was no reply, for the door was
thrown open and Louise entered. She
was dressed in simple ginghsm. plain and
neat, with white linen collaFand a SIX
apron. Her soft curls were throen care
lessly back from her sweet face, flushed
with exercise, and playful smile wreathed
her rosy lips, as she extended her hand t.
her visitor.
81 did not keep you waiting to make a
more approved toilet, Mr.. Leslie" said she,
gaiIy. have been busy in the kitchen
this morning with Jane, which. according
to my views, is a very pleasant and profit
aSle way of spending forenoon
so You think housework pleasant
Young ladies generally pronounce it
drudgery," re piled her lover, smiling.
"lndeedr; said Louise; sit can be made
a drudgery as well as other things, and to
one inexperienced. with no teacher, it
would truly be SO; but enjoy myself very
well when thus engaged"
"But Go you really think it plensantr
persisted her companion.
81 truly do; one should know how things
should be done, and learning is not dis
agreeable task"
.'But work in the kitchen is tiresome. -
"Not more than that of the parlor. We
often see young ladies too weak 10 make a
bed or dust a room, who practice many
hours on the piano and dPnce good part
of the night without acknowledging them
selves weary.
"You see how very set she is in her way,
Mr. Leslie" remarked Julia, who was no
doubt shocked at Louise's vulgarity, and
wished to change the subject. So con-
versation turned into general channei,
and soon Mr.. Leslie arose and took his
leave.
Kind reader, let US pass over period of
two years. Louise is married, and now
occupies one of the handSomest residences
in the ci,y-for Leslie is quite wealthy
and his young bride enjoys every luxury
that wealth can purchase. Yet her de-
mestic education is very useful; she pre-
sides over her own household. Although
they live richly, nothing is wasted. The
elegant rooms shoN plainly Louise's taste
and skill-while she posse sses that knowl-
edge which enables her to direct her SER
wants, and to Judge if things are done in
the right manner. ] need not say how
much benefit she would derive in case of a
reverse of fortune, for that will be very
easily seen.
And Julia, the bright, beautiful Julia
had, too, found one she loved for himself
alone; a man noble and good, with talent
of a high order, and lawyer by profession
He is far from being rich, but Julia con-
siGers her large property will make them
independent; and they intend, after their
marriage, to remove to neighboring State
there to find home in some village or city
1t was but week previous to her in
tended wedding that Julia sat at the win.
dow of her luxurious apartment, playing
carelessly with the rich heavy curtain tas.
sells, and gazing out upon the moving crowd
on the pavement, when a servant opened
the door and informed her that her father
wished 10 see her in the library.
With light and graceful step, Julia
obeyed the summons. She found her aged
father reclining in an easy chair, bis trem
bling hands pressed over his furrow eC
cheeks, and the silver hair floating above
his careworn brow. There were tear
coursiug down his face and trickling be
tween his fingers, and his whole form trem
bled with emotion. With many forebod
ings Julia approached him; he drew he
down upon his knee, and smoothing bacl
her dark hair from her brow, he gGzed int