The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1858-07-15
For the Journal.
My Cousin Minnie.
ny LILLY LARKSPUn.

q ~,
its deep windows, its heavy, deeply carved half
circular pillars in each corner, and its costly,
but ancient looking furniture. The floor was
covered with dark, crimson carpet Oi the finest
plush &: and hanging against lis walls were ele
CANT paintings of antique forms and faces OF
distinguished persons of beautiful moonlight
sceneres, of picturesque landscapes, and OF dark
gloomy ruins An ancient, but elegant time
piece licked sOlemnly i'll one corner, ana the
splendid lion-footed, handicapped tables all
stood in stately silence in their appropriate
places At the farther end of the room was a
large, superbly wrought piano; and elegant gilt
framed mirrors We're suspended from the walls,
thus multiplying every object. Soft, white
siken curtains hung before the windows, sweep
ing in graceful folds the rich carpet, and con-
trasting beautifully with its dark roses Bril-
liantly lighted chandeliers flung food of light
over the room, making every object appear still
more magnificent under the influence of its
golden lustre. All bespoke it the home OF luXu-
ry and ease and as sat there, on the SOFT rich
sofa, still equipped in my travelling apparel
awaiting the appearance OF my hostess, throng
of happy thoughts welled up in my mind, and a
quiet sense of happiness stole over me, which
completely quelled all the WEAKNESS which l
had experienced during my long journey.
was an orphan. | could remember but little
of my father, as he died when was very young;
but only for two summers had the flowers bloom
ed and faded above my mothers gave. All my
life, nearly. had dweIt alone with my mother
in the little village of D.. Though an only
child, and had always been treated as sucl still
| had fortuna tely not been spoiled by my moth
ers excessive fondness for me; and when she
died did not give way to dark forebodlngs but
after the first great rush Of grief was over be-
gan 10 look about for some line of usefulness
for although | was by no means left destitute,
Still | had not such fortune that could sit
idle and enjoy it, A widowed aunt-my moth.
er's half sister-wiote for me TO come and make
my home with her and her only child, step.
daughter | had never seen them, as my moth
er, for some reason unknown to myself, had
never been intimate with the family and why
she should ever have proposed such thing as
my making my home there, is still mystery to
me. | can attribute it to nothing else, only
that she elt in duty bound To do so, IN order
to keep mp tha good opinion OF the world, as
she Was my only living relative; and she Was a
woman that always tempered all that she
thought, lid and said, by what Others did, and
to win their good opinion.
did not Ih'n accep; of the home offered me
for | was successful in obtaining very large
class of young girls for the purpose of giving
music lessons. This monotonous life | followed
for two long Yeas. AT the expiration of that
time | found that my own health was endan
gered by continuing in such close confinement
80 many hours every day, and by the advice oi
some of my friends as well as my own inclina
tion, concluded al last to accept my aunts gen
erous invitation. had accumulated quite lit
tle fortune during my auspices music teacher
and therefore felt more desire to go than at first
as now was not compelled to live upon the
cold charities of Others. And yet it caused
me many sigh of regret to part with all my
dear, early frlends--to tear myself away from
the dear spot where | was bom and all the
q II L.. 4 41,o
hardest of all was to leave my mothers grave
Who would watch it and tend it as had done
Who would sit by it for hours trying to remem
Der each tone of that dear voice now hushed in
death, and trying to recall each loving word
and sweet, endearing smile of her who lies
sleeping meath the tall, wavy grass? Bitter
bitter tears came streaming from my eyes as
payed my last visit at that grave, and it was
with weary heart that babe adeu to eact
familiar object around the old homestead, enc
stepped into the Stagecoach, which was to con
vey me to my new home. AM after had 60
fairly started, and the sweet little village wai
fast fading from my view, what caused me tC
wipe away my tears, and bright smile to play
upon my face What caused my heart 10 boun.
lightly with JOY, SO lightly that even wonder
ed myself that it had so shortly since been throb
bng only with pain? All it was the remem
brance of one that always filled my heart will
happiness In fancy beheld a noble, manly
figure, saw his brown wavy hair, and his dark
loving eyes. | was recalling the dear parting
words of one whom loved better than my very
life; of one whom had not seen for many weary
months, but whose last endearing words wen
as fresh in my memory, as though they had beer
spoken that very morning. Yes l was engaged
to Harry Lysle Though all the young vilag,
ladies had protested loudly against allowin,
myself to be so much in his company, and de
clared over and over again that he had broker
every girls heart in the village, and that wa!
in fair way of soon finding mine IN the samt
condition, still lwould not believe him deceitful
He seemed all nobeness and perfection TO me
and | silenced all the doubtful emotions which
they endeayored to awaken BY thinking they
did not understand him as did. or that they
only envied me the rare, noble heart had won
And thus sat thinking and dreaming of tht
happy past, and pictlring to myself bright anC
beautiful visions of the future during that long
long ride; aud it was late in the evening when