Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1858-06-17

followed long, gIrlIsh conference, II
which Nellie confided to me all her low,
affairs; and before she had come to asl
my confidence in return, she fell asleep
L lay awake for long hours, thinking
until thought become a burden; but to.
wards morning l fell into troubled
sleep. ..... t.. -...
Alfred Fletcher was the son of far
mer, of, moderate means, residing near
the village which had sprung up around
the factory. L had frequently met him
at church and elsewhere. He was a
year or two my senior. Nellie had Of
ten scolGed me for stunning him as
did, and always turned her off with a
pleasant jest; for had attempted to ex-
plain orjustify myself, 1 could not have
done so. Indeed it was impossible to
find a reason for my conduct towards
Alfred. l knew none myself why |
should. i did it instinctively. Timid
and shy as l was to all, was thou
sand times more so toward him. Some
times, when leaving church, my heart
would leap into my mouth on seeing
him coming towards me. AS soon as
attempted to speak. all my self posses
sion vanished; and l was painfully con-
scious of saying and doing things for
which l severely reprimanded myself
afterwards. Often had sought my pill
low, to weep unseen over some ineXcus-
able awkward act, ofwhich, at such times
[ bad been guilty. 1 frequently said,
What must he think of me?' l felt as
if arranged before a bar of justice for
some criminal Offence-as if Il verdict of
guilty had been returned. Thus moro
than year had passed since our first
acquaintance; but never, until Nellie's
thoughtless remarks, had L dreamed
that loved him. Even then it was long
before l could acknowledge it to my own
heart. " hen, as l lay there awake,
had to confess the fact, resolved that
none, not even Nellie, and much less
Alfred Fletcher himself, should ever
know my secret.
From that day I felt an increased en-
barrassment in Alfrcd's presence; and l
fancicd l detected in him little reserve
towards myself What could it mean?
Nellie has hecn mistaken in her asser-
tions, said to myself; he did not love
me, and he must have discovered my
secret. l wept long and bitterly from
mingled grief and shame, and resolved
that he should no longer believe in my
weakness. So, cncasing myself in an
armor ofpride, l swept proudly past him
when we met; with barely bow of re-
cognition; and always in his presence
assumed careless and naughty air.
Two years had passed since l left
home. As my education had been lin
tied to IA common school one. 1 had made
NJ = To ~
coming autumn, havir5 laid py a suf-
iciept sum to support myself year at
the seminary in my native town.
My friends were duly apprised of my
intended departure. The last Sabbath
of my stay arrived. As usual, 1 atten-
ded church As 1 walked home after
service heard a step behind met was
one l we'll knew; and directly Alfred
Fletcher joined me. 1 offered my hand
He graspcd it warmly in his own.
AND so you are going to leave us
Matte, said he l bowed in the affir-
native. How long will you remain
away he asked. -.ar g..
l replied that my stay was indefinite;
and for the first time l told him of my
plan of attending school, saying that
then hoped to find myself qualified to
teach, and that it was hardly probabl
that | should ever return. He was ST
leht for awhile, and then remarked, and
are you going, Matte, without saying
goodbye to my mother?'
Your mother has been very kind to
me, Alfred l answered. i will call
upon her to- morrow, for / leave on Tues
day morning
so soonr said Alfred. But do not
fail to come. Nother would hardly for
give you for going away without calling.
Here several of my young friends
Joined me, and saying, will see you
again, he bowed and left u.s.
Yes, yes; it is to see his mother he
wishes me to come, mused that evening
However, l suppose I must 60
Courage! [ shall soon be out of the
reach of all this nonsense; only one
more tiial, and then 1 shall be free"
The next afternoon 1 called on Mrs.
Fletcher. S urged me to pass the
afternoon with her; but 1 was inexor-
able; so, after few minutes, rose to
leave. Bidding her an affectionate
good bye, L walked rapidly down the
lane, congratulating myself that had
not encountered Alfred. The constant
fear of betraying to him my sentiments
was now stronger than ever. Could
get away without giving him any clue,
l fancied that it would then all be over;
and that by giving my mind wholly to
my studies, L should soon forget him,
As turned from the lane into the
road, Alfred sprang lightly over the
fence. Going so early, Matte, said
he. 4 thought you were going to stay
till night ~.
4 replied that had no such design
as had much to do to complete the
preparations for my journey
Il am sorry, Matte, said he; Il have
only one load more of corn to get in
and then had promised myself pleas
ant afternoon in your society,""
He took off his hat ard brushed the
clustering ourls from his fine forehead
He seemed at loss what to do.
] Matte said he, finally: cant yos