The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-07-28
A STRANGER IN MAPLETON
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gsd BY LIZZIE WILLIAMS.

A, stranger in Mapleton-and such a
stranger! Tall, and of fine proportions,
with face of "classic" beauty; regal
tbrow, shaded by waving masses of glossy
raven hair; eyes of midnight darkness,
from which shot forth glances of wondrous
ibriIliancy, like lightning glancing from a
midnight clond These were some of the
attractions of the strange gentleman who
had just arrived in Mapletou. Now, when
Uniform my readers that Mapleton is one
of the dullest, most obscure, out of the
way villages that can be imagined, so that
any arrival would cause a sensation, they
might easily infer that this particular ar
rival created furor Of excitement The
news spread with telegraphic speed
known to all country places, and ere Mr..
Alfred Ramsey had been an hour domi-
ciled in the ''Washington Hotel"-as the
landlord ambitiously termed his two story
inn-"everybody" was, busy specializing
as to who he was, where he came from,
where be was going, and, principally, what
did he come to Mapleton for?
2" Pretty soon these important questions,
at least the most important of them, re-
ceived an answer. For Frank Lewis
son Of old Judge Lewis, and undisputed
leader of the town-had no sooner heard
of the arrival than he was seen Fastening
at a most questionable pace to "the
Washington" and, to the surprise of all
the idlers ir the bar-room, (be sure there
were plenty Of them who chanced in just
then he sprang at bound into the par
lor, crying out, aha, old fellow! have
you found the way here at last?" aud then
to the chag:in Of listeners, the door was
closed so that they heard no more; but
luckily the upper part of it was glass, SO
that if they could no longer hear, they
could, at least. see; and they saw the
stranger and Frank shake hands with all
the hearty cordiality of warm and long
parted friends, and then sit down on the
lounge and fall into q long and apparent
IL interesting chat. This fact was soon
noised abroad, and it was edifying to no
.tice how wise Everybody" grew instanter.
Frank Lewis and the stranger had been
= college friends, and the latter was now
here in fulfllment of a promise made to
the former. Yes, everybody could tell
that-and everybody could tell. too, that
Frank had an object in view when he gave
the Invitation. Had he not two unmar-
ried sisters, who held themselves above the
Mapleton bcaux? Yes, that was it, OF
course the surmise received immediate
pcredence, and was indisputable when it
was learned that Mr.. ramsey was veal.
thy Southerner.
ia splendid match for one of the
Judges daughters" said the gossips;
wondering in the next place, which would
|, be the one.
- "That's easy known" said one, with al
sir Of an oracle. "Who would think O.
Emily when, once they saw Lillian?;'
an' "Lillianp' echoed another, in sort O
scornfnl surprise, "why she can't begin to
compare with her sister in any way. Take
= my word for it, Emily will win the prize.
And many were of the same opinion
% ydNo, no, Lillian will be the chosen one
that 1 know" said the first speaker
and many agreed with her.
% So the controversy went on, and some
times produced unpleasant feelings, so un-
compromising was each party. One
would have thought that the matter rest
I'd solely with them, and that the sister