The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-11-24

BY MARY FRANCIS ELTON CHANDLER.

In the summer of 1850 my health, which
had never been very good, gradually failed
me, and was persuaded by my friends to
visit Saratoga, in hopes that its waters would
prove beneficial tony shattered health In
a few weeks | had so far regained my health
as to be able to join with the rest of the Wis
itors in their walks, rides and amusements.
Among the visitors at the Springs was Ia
dy in whom grew strangely Interested her
name was registered on the books as =" Mrs.
Annie Dayton" She was apparently a
widow, of about twenty-seven years of age
Her hair and eyes were of raven blackness,
which, together with her mourning habit,
were strange contrast to the deathly pal
lor OF her face Every morning and evening
she visited the spring leaning on the arm of
n bright-eyed servant maid, who was her
only companion; in the afternoon she re-
manned in her own room, thou IN she some
times joined us in the evening, when all the
visitors were assembled in tn, common par
lors
One afternoon, as we were seated on the
yerandah, there was new arrival, which
proved to be that of company of gentleme
from New Hampshire. One of them, as tall
and noble specimen of man as can be
found in the Granite State, Immediately
joined our group, and by his gentlemanly
manners won the good opinion of US all.
Aweek passed pleasantly away, in which
the stranger (Mr. Irving by name) had gain
ed the respect and admiration of all with
whom he came in contact his a'niable and
obliging manners, open frank expression of
countenance, and the well-brei ease with
which he handled all subjects of conversation,
made him a general favorite.
One evening, when we were all seated to-
gether in the common parlor, some one pro-
posed story, in place of chess and whist,
which we had played every night, and of
which we were heartily tired. The mention
OF q new amusement was eagerly gras ,ed by
all present, and then came pleasant war
of words" as to who should be the story
teller. At length they fastened upon Mr..
Irving, and declared that he must tell the
story. 1t was in vain that he endeavored
to excuse himself, for they would not, as
the old saying is, stake no for an answer"
After pause ofa few moments, he COM
menccd by asking, Would you like to have
me tell you the st,ry Of my only love adven-
ture ?"
Certainly tell US alI about it."
My name" he began, is George Irving"
As he spoke his name, / noticed that Mrs.
Dayton, who sat beside me on the sofa,
shuddered, and the pallor on her check be-
came deeper, and she leaned eagerly forward
to listen to his words No one noticed her
but myself, and the speaker proceeded with
his story II was born and brought up in
Chichester, N. II. At twenty years Of age
was sent to New Hampton to graduate,
and while there formed an acquaintance with
ayolng lady, a resident Of the place. She
was the daughter of distinguished lawyer
by the nameaof Gordon. AS we were much
together, soon learned to love her, and soon
to my great joy, I found that my love was
returned. For some time we were very hap
py. At length some Of the students deter
mined on scouting expedition as they
are called by the students, and which usual
ly means doing all the mischief they posi-
bly, can was urged to accompany them,
and should have done so, had not learned
TINT they intended to rob the fruit trees of
Esquire Gordon then Of course could not
consent going with them to injure the father
ofmy intended wife, so at once refused to
accompany them, much to their displeasure;
and upon their departure one Of them, A.
mold by name, declared he would be reveng-
edion me for disappointing them. spent
the evening in my room, alone, and retired
before they ret rned home from their expedi-
ton. In few days Esquire Gordon came