Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-10-02

again did the reverend doctor shake my hand,
his firm grasp reminding me very much OF
days when trcmbled under his touch. lie
introduced me to his guests with great pride
as pupil Of whom he was justly proud -
though once he added, 4 fear l scarcely ap-
preciated the peculiar talents you possessed
in that | was not, / believe, singular. A
prophet, my dear Dick-pardon the familiar
ity-is never without honor, &C."
And there was Flora-Flora Snaff1cs still
more beautiful than ever. She did not say,
Poor foolish boy" now, but placed her hand
in mine; and with gentle, half hesitating
voice, bade me welcome to the vicaragc, drop
ping those bright eyes the while, and letting
her luxuriant chcsnut curls almost shade her
fair face.
She and got on amazingly. A little later
she brought her album, begging for some con-
tributiOn in addition to what she already pos
Scsscd. This last remark required solution,
and the bright eyes were archly raised as she
pointed out the maiden effort Of my muse in q
state Of perfect preservation. Need tell what
such beginning led toY Coming home, as
did, with predispositiOn to renew all my old
loves, and finding there not only tho charms
Of memory, but Of novelty also-for of late
my life had been so ditlerent-is it wonderful
that the divinity Of my school-days became
the goddess Of my ripper age?
There is certain homely provcrb, much in
vogue where was born, which says: "Old
broth is sooner warmed than new broth made"
and it is commonly applied to lovers who
make up matters after a. a.separation. verri-
fled its wisdom. Flora was very beautiful !;
she had preserved those verses, which proved
that her former indifference was only assumed
and she plainly regarded me as the greatest
genius in the world. We got a long way in
little time My sisters began to giggle and
look silly at mo when Flora's name was men
toned. Other young ladies', shaking off the
awe my literary reputation at first inspired,
and finding me in society quite as common
place as any other man, dcnurely sought in
formation respecting the mythology Of the
ancients. They never forgot to ask some
question about the floral goddess, whether
poets still worshiped her as they felt tempted
TO believe, &c. Doubtless all this seems silly
enough to tell about, but l deemed it very
pleasant folly then. Yet smoothly as my love
affair seemed to progress, | was very jealous.
Not of any other male individuals : flattcr
myself there was no risk of successful rival
ship to annoy me. The cause Of my vexaton
was a certain Dorcas Society, an admirable
institution, yet hated its very name, because
Flora bestowed so much of her time upon it.
\ species Of amiable rivalry existed amongst
the young ladies as to the amount of work
contributed, and Flora made herself perfect
slave in the cause If | asked her to sing or
play for me, she would cast a glance at a
RanelcSs garment on her lap, and beg nIc to
excuse her; until demonstrated, saying, she
really overdid tho thing, and made those who
wished to claim little Of her time quite jcal-
Gus Of this all cngrossing labor.
1t lists not to tell how the point was argued
between US; Flora insisted that she did not
take one stitch more than it was her duty to
do as the Wears daughter. She seemed oil.
most inclined to pOut at my pcrsis:ing in q
contrary opinion, aud was mollilicd only when
promised to make one ut the anniversary
tca-party III connection with the Society,
which was to take place OH the following
"Wednesday. On the Tuesday, made my
self generally useful, and assisted to decorate
the national school room for the festival, ,,se-
ceiving the boughS Of evergreen and paper
roses from the fair hands VI my lady love.
was rewarded with many a gracious smile,
and more than once had the delightful task of
discntanging spray Of holly from those love-
ly chcsnut curls.
"You must come to my table, whispered
Flora as We parted; and, remember, shall
expect q contribution from you, to make
amends for your unkind speeches about the
Society.
"As though could ever have breathed an
unkind word in your car, pressing the soft
palm which lay in mine.
The day came. | duly tCacd in public, and
ilattered myself, entered into the spirit of
the thing, by zealously promoting the loco
motion Of the cups. After tea came the plat
framework addresses, reports, and vote of
thanks to the fair laborers. After tea came
the collection, and Flora stood before me,
holding delicate china plato, on which her
eyes were baShtully bent, to receive my con-
tribution. had placed sovereign ready to
hand, and rs deposited the coin in the plate,
looked kecnly at Flora to see how she rclished
the gift Fancy my surprise ON seeing the
delicate head thrown back, while look Of ill.,
etfablc scorn was darted at me by the fair
plate bearer, whose face now wore the hue of
the deepest cOored paper rose. She swept
past, and that night saw her no more; SO, in
place of cscorting her home and popping the
each ofmy sisters. could not understand it,
cSpcCluiIY us tuc tNO BNIH NOuiu uSoi6u HOtu-
ing but monosyllablc replies to my questions,
and made themselves as disagrcea6lc as young
ladies can be supposed to be. AS my sisters
and Flora always sailed in the same boat |
humbly cravcd to be enlightened by them as
to the cause Of this change in her manner.
"You ought to know" said my sister Jane !;
with toss of the head very similar to the one
with which had been favored earlier in the
evening.
al. Why, what have donc?"
"To pretend not to know! shrieked both
girls at once.
~ do not know" said I. 81 put a sovcr-
eign on her plate, and she gave me just such q
naughty, diSagrceablc look as she did long
years ago, when l fOolishly sent her some
verses"
"A pretty sovcrcign!" again in chorus
"But perhaps" added Jane, ''yOu use p0;
cts license to call all coins Sovereigns. We
ignorant country-peOplc cannot be supposed
to see these things in the same light as you
great literary men,"
was out of all patience. "What do you
mean?" said l. "You are enough to drive
one crazy with your absurd sneers and iu-
Sions. Do want to be made fuss about as
a literary manY or what has that to do with
Flora SnaflesP"
But might as wcA have talked to the door
post They Indignantly retired, leaving me
70 nv ANYTHING hut nOrceahle reflections