Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1858-06-24

Directly my aunt resumed,
LET us talk nationally, child,' she said.
s'There is no such thing as buying and sell
ling in matrimony, in this happy.land and
you know it. Your outcry about Circassian
Slaves is silly. Some time. you will doubt
less think of matrimony. Mr.. St. Claire is
a worthy young man, and one whom [ hope
to live to see you marty
''Then you'll reach an unheard-of age" !"
| cried, unable to control myself longer, cor
I shall die sooner than I. intend to-" Here
left the breakfast-table, and half angry at
my aunt's pertinacity, half ashamed of my
conduct to her, put on my sun--bonnet,
flew to the kitchen for basket and started
off a-berrying, in order to be out of the way
of aunt Chloe for the rest of the morning.
wandered on, from field to wood, and
from wood to field, singing and picking. till,
suddenly, when crossing a meadow, heard
terrible roar, that set me quaking from
top to toe, and looking up 1 saw an enor-
NOUS bull dashing toward me. Wild with
| fright, Fran on, scarcely seeing where I
was going till reached bit of rising
ground, and saw before me high wall, ap-
parently the enclosure of the private grounds
of mansion, that loomed out from amid a
grove of trees within. Without stopping to
think, climed the wall, availing myself of
sapling that grew against it, and leaped
down into the garden. Mercy if hadn, t
improvised a trail at the expense of two
thirds of my dress [ took it in my hands
in dismay and glanced at the mansion
.Won't you walk in ?" said manly voice,
close beside mesf
Eyes do come in. I hope the wicked
animal hasn't hurt you," said female voice
looked around, blushing with mortif-
cation. A gentleman, apparently only three
or four years older than myself, and stiking-
ly handsome, accompanied by young lady
about my own age, was standing close by.
l saw Immediately that they were brother
and sister. My first impulse was to fly
My next to pull the whiskers of the gentle
man, in revenge for suppressed smile at
my expense. which rippled over his face,
though he did his best to look grave. My
last to accept the invitation, and brave it
out, for when had Kate Wilder ever s'fed
1.-The field %
We entered a pleasant library, where,
while the brother went out to order lunch
con, the sister assisted me to repair my torn
dress. In a little while, [ was presentable a.
gain; and we passed into the dining room.
Somehow we all got acquainted Immediate
ly. The sister was as full of fun as myself.
The brother had rare powers of conversa-
ton; had travelled; had read almost eve
rything; in short, was the most fascinating
man l had ever met. The hours passed
without my knowing it. At last, happen
ed to hear the clock strike, and started up
in dismay. My new acquaintances begged
me to stay, saying they would send word
where was; but was now somewhat a.
shamed of having shown such pleasure in
the brothers society and so was peremp-
tory to go. Finally, they consented to let
me depart but insisted on accompanying me
part of the way
All! what sweet dreams had, that night
| How, the next morning, when aunt Chloe
introduced the name Of Clayton St. Claire
again, [ was more than ever willful, and
told her [ hated the very sound of it. [
could not rest at home. [ resolved not to
be seen near the mansion or my new friends,
though Lucy, the sister, had invited me,
over. and over again, to see them; but be-
fore long found myself, basket in hand,
a-berrying in the woods half way there
All at once. I heard step; my heart be-
gan to beat fast looked up and there wss
the brother, but alone.
! Day after day, for more than week, I
went a-berrying; and every day the broth
er met me. By that time was hopelessly
IY,1 1ouo R,1f1 or fol bod
confded everything to my Arthur. for that
, was his name, and we had resolved, that, if
aunt Chloe would not consent to our union,
We should elope together
MY sister will call on you, tomorrow !"
he said, when this had been settled. '.She
wonders every day, why you don't call on her,
as you promised; but says, if it's pride she's
not ashamed to make the first advances: SO
look out for her, and be as beautiful as ever" !"
[ blushed, and looked down; and feeling
indescribably happy, went home, resolved
to be amiable to dear aunt Chloe even if she
talked of Clayton st. Claire all day.
But did not know myself. The first
words that greeted me, on my entrance,
were,
..Nen, Nell; you must have your new
dress made up, right away. Mr.. st. Claire
has returned, and will dine with us the day
after tomorrow.
My buoyant feelings were gone. I began
to realize that my aunt would never consent
to my marrying any one else. [ sat down
without word
"Why, childw said aunt Chloe, reprov-
ingly. '.Not sullenp' ~
Il wish Clayton st. Claire was in Jeri-
cho," | said, ready to cry
Aunt Chloe drew herself up sternly.
Nelly Wilder she said, ''once for all.