The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-05-25
DAIS E s /.

"By Joye! Miss Hoyt, II thought there
was such thing as disintercstedness among
women, I should DO tempted to commit mat
rimony. Here I am, thirty-fve yean old,
and still bachelor. My house and gardens
are going to ruin, all for the want Of q wo-
mans presence, and sadly need humanizing
myself. Such maneuvering a. have wit
messed among Misunderstanding old maids,
marriagable young ladies, managing mamas,
and giegling school girls, has put me entire
ly out OF humor with tho sex. What do
YOU think of nv case, Dcnsy Hoytw
"Sad, very, but not hopeless, she replied;
but you have looked only on one picture
You havo mingled only with the gny and tri-
fling-the hcartleS votaries Of fashion. You
are surfeited with empty pleasures, tho CLAM
our of inexperience has passed from your
eyes, and you SEQ things as they arc. Your
purc gold has turned out to be thin gliding
but think il you will step aside from your
path Of worldliness, you will find that there
vet live women noble and true hearted enough
TO suit even your fastidious taste, Mr.. Her.
rick
"Perhaps %" no replied carclessly, 'but
haven't the inclination to hunt them up.
All! this Is q sad, weary world. Miss Hoyt,
what is your idea Of life?'
alt Is too solemn q thing to be triaed
with" she said, looking at him with her
earnest, searching eyes. DO you know that
have often wondered that you, with oil your
wealth and talents, should have accomplish.
ed 30 little for your own good or that Of your
fellow beings. Il is not too late to begin
vet, Paul Herrick. Let the world be the
better for your having lived"
A bright color suffIsed her auditors face.
Il used to have such dreams when | wa
young, he said, but have outlived them
with my youth. As you say. II Is not toe
late to commence living in earnest, and
have half mind to try. Do you possess O
charm Miss Hoyt? always feel like new
creature when in your neighborhood, you
are 20 unlike most ladies of your age. You
arc-how old, Miss DensyT
"Twcnty-nine," she quietly replied.
"And you experience no uneasiness at the
thought Of living single life have no hor'
ror Of being called an .Old maid p"
Densy Hoyt smiled her own peculiar smile
She said-'I long ago came to the conclusion
that dame Nature forgot to provide worscl
half for mo, and moreover, have "learnet
In whatsoever state am, Herewith to bt
content In my early days | imbibed ahor'
ror of artful, designing old maids, and then
determined to live as model OF what q spin
ster should be- She added, moro seriously
1T is an odd fancy of mine that the words
stake no thought for the morrow were e.
pecially designed for the perusal OF maiden
ladies. All, this taking 80 much thought il
the curse of the world
Mr.. Herrick was silent awhile, and Densy
piled her needle. At last ho spoke:
You have heard of the old Spaniard who
len his SUNNY home 10 sssk in the New
World the lifc-giving waters Of the fountain
of youth. lie did not find them. Ncyerthe
less, / shall start on similar tour, thougl
not quite so foolish as his. l shall seek fo
wife and happiness. Pray nay DO NOR
successful than he.'
A half sigh rose to Densy's lips, but sh'
smothered It, and answered In her low voice
Ponce do Leon might have found happi'
ness If not youth Mt home. We often over
look the dear little daisies at our feet, IL
search of gaudicr flowers but distance lend'
enchantment to tho view,' and when we
bruised and wcaricd, reach tho objects Of oul
striving, we find them noxious weeds, anc
long for the humble daisies
"Well, perhaps I shall stumble on my
daisy, yet,' he said gaily; 'and now I'm oil
for the country. I'm tired Of city life ant
feel desire for green fields and fresh air
| Adieu y and he was gone.
Densy Hoyt checked another sigh, and
laying aside her work, sought her room with
book. But fancy she did not read much,
and fancy also, that ayowed old maid rs sb,
was, despite his faults, she cherished some
thing more than mere friendly feeling towart
Paul Herrick in her maidenly heart.
And Paul-as for him, he had overlooked
his daisy already.
The evening train bore our friend from The
city, and ere midnight he reposed his weary
pilgrim limbs beneath the friendly roof o
the only hotel which the village Of F.
afforded. The next day at an uniashionably
carly hour he Strolled forth to enjoy the
morning beauties of his stopping place. d
wonder what Densy would think Of this he
soliloquised, rs he stretched himself on the
dew.gemmed greensward, Ia very impruden,
performance and enjoyed the songs Of the
birds and the smell Of tho Towering grasses
Il know she would say that the country II
the only place where one can truly live
Perhaps bensy would and perhaps she woult
not have said 30. DO that rs IL may, am
sure Of one thing, that Mr.. Paul Herrick nc
auired most outrageous appetite for hi'
breakfast, as his landlady can testify to thi'
day.
limo passed on and our friend bccamt
more and delighted with his surroundings-
especially as his hostess had kindly introduc
ed him to oil tho village maidens, and h
had found one, who, he thought, was all hi
fancy painted her.
There's no denying the fact that Jcnn,
Page was pretty. but she possessed shrcwd
ness our Paul little dreamed Of; she rcat
him we'll, and behaved accordingly. A NOR
demurc. artless lassie would 10 hard to lind
Yes, Jenny Page, with her bright curls
laughing blue eyes, anddimplcd white shoul
ders-Jenny in her simple white dresses
had fairly danced into the bachclor-hear
that had withstood the attacks Of troops o.
bcauteous ladies clad In gold and velvet.
Such walks in the moonlight; such sail
on the river, delightful pic-nics and ramble'
in tho woods, Paul Herrick had never expo
ricnced before, and consequently imaginet
he dwelt In fairy-land; while Jenny, artfu
cipsey, grew tired Of the 'swoctnsss long
drawn OUT and began to wonder II 'he wa
ever going TO propose.
Paul wrote once TO Densy-'I hayo found
my daisy, dear Dcusy, and vcritable littl'
country daisy Il Is, quito unpretendint
enough to suit even you. Think you m,
blossom will bear transplanting to city coil
or will our scorching sun wilt its tiny whit,
leavesi But am foolish 10 talk 70, a.
have not rs yet breathed sught Of lore Ia
Jcnny's car. Isn't Il pretty namei Th'
owner Is pretty, too, assure you, and her
followed q catalogue Of Jennys charms
quite interesting to the lovers, no doubt, bu
not 20 10 my reader. who II he be lover al
20, thinks his own Jenny the very pretties