The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-05-17
from Peterson's Magazinel
Marrying an AutIl0ress.
By MARY E. CLARKE.

swell p cried Horace Lowering, entering
his aunt's parlor, one evening, ''well. if !
ever marry literary woman, you may i'm
prison me for lunatic -
"Why, Horace !" said his cousin Jessie
looking up from her, knitting ''what is the
matter? Good evening -
''Oh beg your pardon; my entrance
'nas rather abrupt. Good evening, both Of
YOU" ..<.- III Fl.
"What has put such a sudden aversion to
literary woman into your mind? You were
always an advocate of education and cultiva.
tion for our sex, as we'll as for that of your
own." -. --..-.. .-..,-. ..
"Certainly! I admit it. L always ad.
mired talented women, fully approved of their
cntivating and using their talents, but oh !
this evening ends my dream viii neaver
never fall in love with, or marry, literary
woman | see, Jessie you want to know all
about it. Do you remember Cora
Smith?"
"Your old sweetheart ?"
"My-wcll, yes. | did admire Cora,
that's fact she was so meek and pretty,
dressed so exquisetly, convcrsed so beautiful.
ly upon the domestic duties of women, and
seemed, in spite of her brilliant intellect, so
gentle and so womanly. | admired both
herself and the writings to which she signed
her nam and which we used, Jessie, to
look for so eagerly in the magazines. Her
book, too, was perfect gem. Well! well .
let that pass. She went to Europe after
her marriage, as you know and, although it
ia six months since she returned, this is the
first evening have had to call upon her
Oh JESSIE
Il know" said Jessie, laughing, "Lust an
inch thick. Cora in a calico wrapper, the
worse for wear and dirt. Frank driven
away from home by confusion and neglect
or else asleep on the sofa; every article of
furniture in the wrong place"
Sand Mrs. Smith correcting proof in the
front parlor. Jessie! does that woman own
a brush and comb ?"
~ doubt it," said Mrs. "Lovering, ,Iessie's
mother, joining in the conversation ;''if she
owns them, am sure they lead an easy,
idle life."
$50 say again, auntie," said Horace,
''never, never, never will marry an author
ess."
"Isit quiet fair'to take it for granted
that all literary women are like Cora
Smith ?''
Why, auntie, think how beautifully she
wrote, and conyersed about woman's home
duties and responsibilities. l thought ifev-
er there lived a true, aoomanly woman, it was
Mrs. Smith,
81 Shouldn't wonder if you married a
strongminded, woman's rights, authoress,
after al" said Jessie.
''Never! had rather marry a complete
fool No! give me girl of quite domestic
taste, natural manners, and good, sound,
common sense, in preference to any brilliant
genius, who 'soars above the vulIar common
places of life, as was informedthis evening
all true genius did.
"You'll return to your old faith"
81 will never marry an authoress y
"Perhapsr' r.
II never vii Come now, Jessie, don't
be provoking"
.'Two years from now, you viii be fgur-
ing as the distinguished Mrs. Lovering's
husband"
''Two years from now? Come, Wen see,
am glad you set limit to the time will
wager diamond ring, against one of these
new style smoking-caps admire so much
that you sre mistaken y
''Done' Mother is witness y
Well we will see, when do you 80 to Oak
Grove, antieg'
Next week You will come over soon
Horace ?"
''Totspend my usual month /? Let me
see This is the last week in May. ! will
join you the second week in June.' -
"Fl have house full Of literary women
TO meet you," said Jessie.