The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-12-29
From The Home Magazine.
lmOgcne's Last Volume.
BY MARY c. GRANNISS.

bf MAhf y. GkANNlSS.
All the gossips Of Eldervlle decided unani-
mously that Frank Stanton was a silly head,
to think of marrying such a bookish sort of
agirl as Imogene May. Not but she might
be good enough in her way; but what could
he do, on clerks salary, towards supporting
wife, whom they knew couldn't mend a
garment or cook meal st to be eaten.
"Them are kind of gals" (chimed in Aunt
Persey Potter, at the social tea-drnking,
where the matter was being pretty thoroughly
discussed "that's alters readin' and writin
and talkin' about things in the moon, with
out KNOWING, maybe, much more of 'em than
us common folks, aint just the kind for
young men TO marry who want to git along
In the world not that I've anything partic-
ular agin Miss Imogene, only SHE ANT the
sort for Stanton"
This last sentence was delivered with ems
phasis, in an oracular tone, and Aunt Persey
pursed her mouth into more than its usual
unyielding primness, as she took another cup
of her favorite Souchong from the hands of
her hostess.
t'No more have | any disrespect for the
young lady, for it's her misfortune, leastwise,
that her head is so full of notions" respond
ed another Of the guests. ''She takes it nat
uraly from her father, whose brain was so
crammed with knowledge that he never aras
like ordinary mortals. But then he was a
good man, and amazing fond of Imogene !;
and I've heard said he took the whole care OF
her after her mother died"
But notwithstanding the adverse decision
of his case of alliance given by this neighbor-
hood "Court of Errors" Frank Stanton and
pretty, blushing Imogene May were pro-
nounced one, by the white-haired village
clergyman, as side by side they stood before
the altar in the little brown church, one fra.
giant June morning. Even these croaking
gossips who had been so ready with their
dismal forebodings concerning the match,
were, in spite of themselves, led captive by
tho happy influences Of the scene, and forgot
all ominous shakes Of the head, as seated in
the carriage which was to convey them to
the railroad, and thence to their city home.
the happy pair babe adieu to the crowd Of
sympathizing friends, and, amid smiles and
tears, drove away from the church door, be-
meath the roseate light of anew summer day
and of new, and, as they fondly hoped, a
richer, happier life
Did Frank have cause to regret his choice
Not a bit oft True, Imogenc-or 'Genie,
as he lovingly called her, 'oon1d now and then
Write perses simply because she could mt help
task the birds if they can help warbling
on a sunny spring morning, when their little
hearts are brimful of fjoy) land Frank, fool
ish fellow as he was, thought these efiusions
charming; as, also, that no simple stories OF
the heart could excel in true pathos and
beauty those that so readily flowed from her
busy pen. But as to househeeping-there,
Master Frank, we have you! We will sc-
knowledge the wife's genius AMI accomplish
ments, her sunny face and winning tender,
ness; but, as Aunt Persey says of thesf
quite pardonable attractions, 'they amt jis,
the kind for young man who wants to git
along in the world" oh g'
''Housekeeper," reptile. the happy, infatu
ated Frank, with an offended air; ''if you car
show me better one you can work mira.
clesp So, the old-wives were mt faint fo1
once in their prognostics; and Frank, the for
tunate fellow, rejoices in wife whose goot
practical sense and active knowledge of ev
ery-day affairs, are fully equal to her intel
lectual worth and her amiable social qualities
1t was Imogene, the bride of few months
whoproposed exchanging their rather expen
sive boarding place for quiet, humble tene
ment, where they two might make for them
selves peaceful home, in which she was tn,
heaefcent fairy whose ready skill and activ'
hsnds worked such marvels of co4venienct
and comfort and even elegance, out Of q linn