The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1858-11-17

he began; I" Well, Mile Feel old maj
: like? Twenty-four this minute and L
: loser! Is it well, lassie =
Mile smiled in her subdued fashion
She looked down at her face in the miro
of the brook. 1t oval, smooth, an
delicately rosy.
J.. 81 see, I see. You English keep well,
said the old man quickly. "But you
alter, lassie. when you have to work nigh
and Gay for bread and calico. What d
you mean to do to get these two things
and he eyed her cunningly.
81 shall work at something and TAX
care of us. I could teach, l think" sh
E replied.
( keep school for eight'or ten shilling
week? Starvation wages, girl. I
wouldn't keep us both. If I was out o
the way it might do. But I've a mucl
better say, Mile. Old Yale's son-th'
one with horses, and chariots, and farms
and mills and houses-wants you for ,
wife. He's been to day talking with ne
about you. Why don't you smile. girl ?
81 never could marry man like Geo
YALE" she replied.
"Ho's the contest young man in town.
the old man continued. sHe'd worship
little lady-lke woman like you. You
could wind him around your little finger
easier than you can that ribbon. He'll
always be home man. Consider him. ~
She considered the stalwart fasmer six
feet high, with his sun burnt face and still,
constrained dcmeanor. IL dislike to think
of him." she said A.4s
a "Consider him, I say. I can't bear to
see you slave for me; you'll soon be a
miserable old woman Marry him and
have home, and let me Lave a quiet
room to die in. Yes I've heard the girls
tell how you was going to marry grand
talking gentleman. But I'll warn you
you il live a disappointel old maid if you
wait for this fancy man. Stop, not a
word. Think of it, think of it, before
you make vow," ANA he hobbled to the
house mutter'ng. 'ee@s
Instead of Fancy, Reason spoke tllst
evening to Miss Hall. "Romantic young
woman" Reason said, "de you know that
YOU have never seen this man whom you
prettily call 'matc!' There are no such
men in your town, and | assure you,s you
will never he known beyond its boundaries.
Better accept the most eligible offer you
have while it is open" 5s.~s
"But it is not in me to guide maa to
beauty and WISDOM" the heart plead; Il
would rather be led to higher SUBMITS.
I shall only go back into the low lands
if I obey you, for | know I am infinitely
superior to George Yale and all his COM
rades." .,-e....-.
"Don't talk metaphysics to me-" said
Reason coldly. 81 had rather know what
you think of working day and night to
support yourself and uncle while you wait
for this fancy man. What do you think |
of your uncle's dying in the aims house
What do you think of bece ming faded
old maid, Ell ia faded old maid, at
whom, if he should meet her, the great
gentleman would not look! 80 |
Mile sighed YEARLY. More softly
Reason continued: as it not better to
be mistress of that comfort-full establish
ment! Is it not better to give your poor
uncle home, even at the sacrifice of
few fine sensations? Would it be too
much for his years of care for yous Be
Reason concluded in an awful
tone, be assured l have looked every way,
md there is no wonderful knight on the
road coming to rescue you." 5p +
Amelia Hall walked once more "sad
md slow, sad and slow" through that
5orticoed and balconied house of the flu
ure; she paced once more down the ave-
Tue of naples, and bathed in tears the
,and of the prlnce-like one who would
lave led her back to sit with him in the
White pillared portico. She locked the
Gothic gate, and brushed from the mystic
andals the dust of the cool, wide streets
# that lovely village, and laid them away
n a lonely room of her heart, whose doors
he barred. ri 81 1e.ss /;
Then she prepared to marry George
Iale. She wore no sacrifcial air. Her I
Id uncle laughed like a boy and blessed
Ter fearful eyes. She was womanly and :
with her lover. She inter &
sted herself in bis roughly told plans.
lie lost some of bis ruggedness of manner
nder her touch, and a little poetry latent
d his heart famed into life beneath her ,
reath. With some pleasure she unused |,
] can change him. May be my life