The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1858-01-07

and that he wss a merchant who had retired
from business, and was building the stone house
for country residence.
II was II last completed. and then Mr.'Grahan
brought his family TO inhabit the beautiful
home he had prepared for them. The family
consisted of himself his wife, his son Hugh
and two daughters, Mable and Ella, all three OF
whom were then at home spending their sum-
mer vacation. I, according to the custom,
called upon the young ladies soon after their ar
rival. They we're both. beautiful girls, but very |
different in disposition. Ella and were friends
from the first time we met. She was warm
hearted, impulsive, frank,swhile Mable was e1-
actly the reverse. Having mingled much more
than Ella in city society she was more conven-
tional and proud than her sister Mable wrapt
herself in reserve and dignity, while Ella eagerly
sought and found friendship.
The young ladies returned my call, but as
Ella and ] were fast becoming friends we drop
ped all formalty and visited each other when
we chose. l now had companion in my
rambles. Ella, tired like myself of city life,
was delighted with the wild, romantic places to
which led he, willing feet. There was not
nook, rock, stream or tree for many miles around,
but what we knew and visited. Ella possessed
a highly poetic nature, was familiar with the
best authors and had nearly completed fine
education; shewas indeed, delightful compan
ION. There was time when she was always
eloquent, and that was when speaking of her
brother Hugh She thought him all that was
good and noble and often expressed desire that
| might become acquainted with him. One
beautiful afternoon in September, she came to
inform me of project which she had formed
There was mountain somewhat famous in the
history of the country, near c., and she pro-
posed that we, Mabel, two gentlemen who were
visiting at her fathers, Hugh herself and
should drive to the mountains the next day if it
were pleasant was always ready for ramble,
and acceded Immediately to her proposal. AS
there were six of us, Mabel and Mr.. Weston
concluded TO ride on horseback, while Ella,
Hugh, Frank Danna and rode in the carriage.
We reached the mountain quite early in the
day.
The whole party strolled together till noon,
when, finding grassy mound. Ella spread a
snowy cloth and arranged our luncheon nvi-
tingly upon it. And after having partaken OF
our repast We divided into three parties, and
rambled wherever fancy led,-Mr. Weston and
Mabel. Frank and Ella, Hugh and I. who had
become quite well acquainted during the ride
i, One would not blams Ella for almost worshiping
her brother. He had black hair and eyes, was
little above the medium height, and very com
manding in appearance. He was brilliant in
conversation, gentle and attentive in manner
and you may rest assured that was not little
pleased with my attendant. We had explored
the mountain sufficiently to satisfy our curiosi-
ty. in the morning, and Hugh and had gone in
. the afternoon to spring about half mile from
the mountain.
The scenery was romantic, the afternoon
pleasant, and everything was lovely indeed
had been alone, or had Ella been with me,
should have been in raptuers with the surround
ing views, but as it was,I walked and talked more
like an automaton than an animated human be,
ng,for wasas it were e,spel-bound and fascina tee
with my companion. Having mingled very
little in ladies society, and much less in gentle
, mems, while in the country, and becoming sud
denly acquainted with one of whose noble
" qualities had heard so much, and which | ther
knew for myself to be true, it was not strange
IS that l could not at once recover my usual equan
d unity. But that afternoon like all otherearthl,
6 things terminated, and We entered the carriage
't on our homeward route, about the hour of sun
y set. But little was said during our ride eact
Il being busy with their own thoughts The carriag
d stopped at our cottage. Hugh assisted me tt
: alght led me to the door and returned TO th
l. carriage, after receiving from me an invitation
h to call with his sisters.
u Immediately sought my own room, the sam
d one which now occupy, and you may rest as
> sured my dear girl, that many, many thought
e passed through my bewildered brain that night
II before my eyelids were closed in sleep.