The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-10-26
ASHLAND ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO. WEDNESDAY NOR


Harry entered Mrs Temples parlor he found
Helen already there and looking more brilliant
than he had ever seen her before. The CLAN
ces of her bright eyes quickly attracted him to
her, and for whole hour he yielded himself
to the spell of her destinations. She was be-
ginning to think her iumph sure, when Har
ry, on turning suddenly, met the clear soft
glance of Agnes Bryan's dark eyes. He bowed
smilingly, and by an irresistible impulse would
have approached her, but quick word from
Helen chained him again. "Do you know
Miss Bryan ?" he asked, after listening few
moments to her gay sallies, which had sudden
ly grown stupid. miss Bryant" she repeated.
"No; l believe she gives music lessons to my
little brother, but have acquaintance with
her." "There is great deal of character in
her face" he continued. "Indeed! Do you
think so ?" said the proud beauty, with slight
look of scorn at the osject of their CONVERSE
ton. "She makes very gool music teacher,
! am told" The tone apd look had not es-
capeo the quick observation of Harry, and he
went on rather rogueishly. "And do ycu know
that it takes qualities of very high order to
make good music teacher? There must be
patience quickness of perception, frmness, en-
thusiasm for the art; all those arc necessary
requirements, and all these l can discover in
Miss Bryan's face. Do you not see frmness in
her we'll formed mouth, enthusiasm in her
large eyes" "Oh, do not go off, Mr.. Ste
phens!' said Helen,- interrupting him with
forced laugh II am no physiognomist. But
you were asking me to play something little
while ago. l havejust remembered something
which am sure you will like She seated
herself at the instrument, and as her white fin.
gers glanced over the keys, he could not help
smiling at the jealousy of A gnes. In the mean
time Agnes drew near, and stood quiet listen
er with the group which now surrounded the
piano. Helen played with brillianey and al
most fault!ess grace of execution but Harry
looked in vain for that enthusiasm whi,h he
had predicted in the calm eyes of Agnes Bry-
an. She felt what he did not perceive until a
few minutes later, that Helen played as we'll
as one could who had not soul enough to cem-
prehend more than the mechanical part of mu-
sic. 'Miss Bryan, you must favor now" he
said, when Hele., looking quite radient with
the consciousness of the admiration she must
ave excited, rose from the piano. Agnes hes
itated single moment then blushing, seated
herself at the instruL ent.
What touch succeeded the rattle and dash
Of Miss Fowlers p 'rformance! The very fra
GRANGE of music preathed through the silent
room for as the first low, floating accents swell
ed into the grand and deep, then melted again.
to LIQUID flowing harmony stiffness fell over.
all and they listened with hushed hearts to the
ference in the players and fell the cause too,
lying keep down in the characters of 10TH
She rose quietly, and before he could thank
her she had glidcd away. He paused mo-
ment, seeking her with his eyes and then the
ringing voice of Helen called him to another
part of the room. "We have been talking
about woman's rights. I don't believe in them.
don't think it belongs to woman to
money she said gaily,-"Do you, Mr.. Ste
phens?" 81 think she has perfect right to
earn it if she needs it, and L must confess l
prcfe, to see young Ii dies who are not wealthy,
engaged in some profitable employment rath
er than living idly at home % '.Oh, it does
no. look well! said she tossing herpretts head.
"I prefer to see them contented with their
lot, it looks avaricious IN woman to earn
money" sis there any avarice in trying to
help oneself rather than be burden?'' asked
Agnes Bryan, who, unseen by Harry, had
stoed near, and whom these cold words had
stung, perhaps not uuintentionaly. is
there any avarice in preicring industry and
independence tor ;dleness and want?" Miss
Fowler's eyes flashed haughtily on Agnes, but
Harry prevented her from replying. Il agree
with Miss Bryan" said he. ~ he true object
of life both to male and female, is improve
ment, and we all know that this is never to be
gained by idleness." Perhaps Miss Bryan
would not only like to work with the men but
to vote with them?" said Helen. "No'' said
Agnes, answering the sarcastic tone with one
of calm sweetness, II think that true wo-
mans influence is worth more than her vote"
Helen answered only with a look of dsdain,
and she turned haughtily away, leaving the
argument unfinished. Harry's first impulse
was to follow her, but he paused. In that mo-
ment of his indecision two pictures rose vivid
ly before his imagination. One was Eome
made splendid by the presence and the wealth
Of an heiress, home of fashion and brillancy
The reigning queen of all this magnifcence was
an elegant woman, an ornament at the table
and in the drawing room of her house, star
in the society which huttered admiringly
around her. The picture dazzled, but he turn
cd away, and turning, saw another vision. He
saw home with freside in it-with deep,
holy, quiet heart reignine and diffusing bright
ness there. He a noble, womanly mind
unfolding into more perfect richness year after
year, and spirit blending more and more har-
moniously with his Fate held before
him in that moment golden bubble and a pure
pearl, and whispered: (Which shall give
you-wealth or worth?" Good angels helped
him. and he chose the pearl. Years after, 1
saw Harry in his home, and found his vision
more than realized. He had risen to eminence
in the city to which he had removed, but Ag-
mes was still the flower of his home and heart
TIE GROWTH 0F THE uNTTFn sTaTrc