American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-01-29

viz iiVNo iauiy az luc pdToOnuSe, WcT0
gathered together for evening service,
he would lay his hand on Minnie's sun
ny head, and pray the God of Jacob,
to keep her young heart pure and spot
less--that he would direct her Alright.
A close neighbor of the Nortons was
Colonel Ashton gentleman of great
wealth and high family. Frank Ash.
ton and Minnie had been schoolmates
when children, but now Frank was at
college, and was soon expected home,
so preparations were made at Col. Ash
tons for alarge party to receive young
Ashton and his friend Charles Huntley.
All the village and surrounding coun-
try were invited.
The evening in question at length
arrived. Minnie wore pure white mus
lin dress, and had no ornament save
white rosebud, in her hair. The
Ashton mansion was brilliantly lighted,
and all the country and village gen
try were assembled when Minnie en-
tered. All eyes were turned toward
her, all were eagar to take her by the
hand and welcome her among them, so
much was she loved by the high as we'll
as the low, after paying her compli-
ments to the hostes, she was soon sur
rounded by her friends, the evening
was passing pleasantly, when Frank
Ashton led Minnie to the piano. Soon
her rich mellow voice filled the room.
After playing several pieces Minnie a
rose from the instrument, pleading fa-
tigue. She made her way through the
crowd to the piazza and there she gaz-
ed up to the clear Heavens and almost
envied the stars their peaceful homes.
Long and silently she stood there, un-
til she heard an approaching footstep !;
drawing back that she might not be
observed, she heard her own name men
toned.
"Well Charley what do you think of
Miss Clarendon?"
Why think what every one else
seems to think, that she is beautiful as
an angel, she has splendid voice too,
but with all this she is nothing but a
poor govorness I am told"
eyes she is poor not even knowing
her parents or being certain that her
name even is right, yet with all this
she is a noble girl, and for my part
feel sure that if she ever does find her
parents that she will be of no low fam
lily, did you notice the finely turned
head and delicate features; ah I am
sure that Minnie isno plebian; it is i'm
possible.
"Why Frank I believe you are in
love with her are you not? Really it
would sound well, Frank Ashton the
greatest beau among all US college fell
lows to marry governess, and a
founding too, it would be bad enough
to marry a poor girl of good family,
but without either wealth or family,
bah it's going too far"
''No Charley, | am not in love with
Minnie more than always have been.
l look on her as sister, nothing more"
"Well 1 am glad to hear you say
SO, for she will do very we'll to flirt
with while we are here"
"No you shall not flirt with her,
could you be so heartless =? You who
call yourself a gentleman, would you
stoop to SO mean an act, would you
win the heart Of an innocent, unsus.
pecting girl and then cast it off as a
worthless toy"
"Well Frank say no more, but let
US 60 in or our absence well be MOTTO
ed if we stay so long"
All this time Minnie had stood al
most breathless with no way of escape
unless they would see her, at last they
turned and entered the house. Weak
and faint Minnie soon followed them,
and begged Mrs. Ashton to allow her
to 60 home, saying that she did not
feel quite we'll.
Father Norton was eagarly waiting
FOR Minnie when she returned. lie
had received letter that night from
Mrs. Seldom q lady living in South
Carolina, Offering good salary to Min
ME, and requesting her to come imme-
diately on. Glorious news was it for
Minnie for since she had heard the con-
yersation between Frank Ashton and
Charley Huntley, she felt as though
sho could not stay longer in tho VII,
lage.
II am very glad my DEAR said Mr..
Norton next morning, "that you have
got just the situation that you have
! know Mrs. Seldom to be perfect
lady in every respect, she is true
hearted Southerner. Seldom Hall you
will find q beautiful place, you will
have but one pupil, Rose Seldom, she
is her mother says, nine years old
Mrs. Seldom has but two children, Is.