Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1858-07-08
5eIrtt MiG:rllunll,
.vHai EDITH MAY.
Or the Mistake of a Lifetime
BY FANNY FERN.

\ lovers quarrel A few hasty words,
a formal parting between two hearts,
that neither time or distance could ever
disunite-then lifetime of misery.
Edith May stood before me in her
bridal dress, The world was to be made
: 'i6He Aheswas. happy and heart whole.
knew berte know that no woman
who had once loved Gilbert Anslie,
could never forget him-least of all
such heart as Edith's. She was pale
as a snow-wrcath, and bent her head
gracefully as water lily, in rccogni-
ton of her numerous friends and ad-
mirers. ...
"What sacrifce!" the latter mur-
INJURED, between their set teeth. What
| sacrifice my heart echoed back.
Mr.. Jefferson Jones was an ossifed
old bachelor He had but one idea in
his head, and that was to make money.
There was only one thing he understood
equally we'll, and that was to keep it
He was angular, prim, cold, and pre-
else; mean, groveling; contemplate and
cunning. t.s -...
And Edith!-our peerless Edith
whose lovers were 4 ''legion Edith,
Z Win hSI
taste and refncment-Edith, to VOW
''love and honor" to such souiless
block! 1t made me shuddcr to think OF
it! felt as though his very gaze were
proclamation. ...s ..
Well, the wedding was over; and
she was duly installed mistress of the
Jefferson House. She had fine dresses
fine furniture, a Gnc equipage, and the
stupidest possible encumbrance in the
shape of husband.
Mr.. Jefferson Jones was very proud
of his, prize-frstly, because she added
to his Importance, secondly, because he
, plumed himself not little in bearing
off so dainty a pri e. 1t gave him ;
malicious pleasure to meet her old ad
mirers, with the graceful Edith upor
n his arm. OF course she preferred hin
5 to them all; else why did she marry
him? --..f
Then, how deferential she was in he
4, manner since their marriage; how yer.
u polite, and how careful to perform hel
f duty to the letter! Mr.. Jones decided
e with his usual acumen, that there wa
no room for doubt on that point. HI
noticed, indeed, that her girlish gaYet
was gone; but that was decided i'm
h provement, according to his view. Sh
was Mrs. Jones now, and meant t
= keep all whiskered popinjays at a re
: spectful distance. He liked it!
And so, through those interminabl
n evenings, Edith sat, playing long stupi
= games of chess with him, or listening
# his gains or losses in the way of trad
IS or reading political articles, of which til
n words conveyed no idea to her absel
ri mind.
She walked through the busy stree
r leani on his arm, with an unsee
is form ever at her side; and slept-Gc
al forgive her!-next his heart when he
Sc was far away! But when she was alol
IS no human eye to read her sad secre
IL. her small hands claspcd in agony, al
bo her fair head beut to the very dust
er, was he not avenged?
or -.
1t was driving storm-Mr. Jon
lse concluded to dine at a restaurant
re- stead of returning home. He had il
in seated himself, and giving his orders
la the obsequious waiter, when his ATTIC
are ton was attracted by the conversati
ne, of two. gentlemen near him.
Have you seen la belle Edith, sir
s. her marriage, Harry?"
"No, feel too much vexed with