The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1861-04-11
HOW i SPENT MY NEW YEAR.

NV mother died when 1 was very
young, leaving me to the care OF anlndul-
gent father, who petted and spoiled me
until ne met with handsome, cold-hearted
widowl lady, with one child about my yown
age, whom3 he married. I pass over the
martyrdon of my childhood, and on to
the eyentfal New Years day which forms
thessubject Of my story. s-...ss..s
1T was asfew days before Christmas,
when my stepn,othera remarked, g l sup
pose, Mary, that Fred Sterling will be
home in a day ortwo.
Oh, yes, replied her daughter, s Fan
ny told me that she expected him to-
morrow"
Then he will likely call upon you on.
New Years; he will be glad to et.youI
again, for 10 always thought 50 much OF
you when you werc child.'
I felt rather astonishetl to hear this con-.
versation addressed to my step-sisters for
I had always locked upon. Fred almost as
my own private property. We had play
ed together when we were children; and
although Mary would sometimes join our. u
play, she was always sure to quarrel !. and
VOW never to speak to ms again. When I
was at the age of four tcen, Fred went
to Europe 10 complets his education,
and now. when four years had pass
ed away, although / Thought but little Of
the childish engagement that existed be-
tween us, yet there was one figure mixed
with all my dreams, and it bore asstrik-
ing resemblance to Fred Sterling.
aWhy, T thought Fre'i Sterling belon'
ged to Rosicp said my father, stroking
down my curts.
ssOh, mop replied MY mother, very
coolly, 6 he liked Rose we'll enough to play
with, but Mary was the favorite.'
Notwithstanding that step-mother had
given5her opinion SO decidedly in favor of
Fred,s attachment to Mary, she looked
rather worried, and at length remarked.
Rose, why don't you put up your hair Z
I think you are too old 10 wear curls, for
you know that you and Mary are to be
considered young ladies now, and on New
Years day you will receive calls"
This was quite. new idea to me. [
had always worn my hair in curls, and it
had never occurred. to ME that it could be
worn in any other way Fred, too, had
liked my eurls, and when he left had cut
off a little riDglet, pressed it to his lips,
and said he should always keep it.
To tell the truth, also, Il had an idea
curls were the most becoming to me. 1
was, however, saved the trouble of reply
ing, for my father looked up, and twisted
lock of my hair over his finger, exclaim-
ing:
No, indeed! Rosie's curls must not
be put up until they a.e gray" and he
turned away and passed. his hand over his
eyes.
had portrait of my own mother, ta-
ken when she was about my own age J;
her hair hung in glossy ringlets, and l
sometimes thought ! bore a great rescm-
blance to her, only tha; she was beauti-
full. Thus knew WHY my father passed
his hand over his eyes.
Ny stepmother bit her lips, and seem
ed lost in thought. Presently she looked
up, and with q bland smile, remarked,
. Rosa dear, why don you SO and make
your aunt Pattie visit? She is always
waiting for you, is a kind old soul, and
loves you dearly"
Aunt Pattie was my fathers eldest and
only remaining sister but this was the
first time I had ever heard her merits ac-
knowledgcd by my present mother. Of
ten, on the contrary, had my blood boiled
TO hear her called vulgar and country
fed
I replied that intended making her a
visit very soon.
aWell, Rosa, she continued, you are
SO fond of making others happy, why
don't you go after Christmas and spend
New Years with her? She will feel
more lonely at such O. time than at any
other, and know she would enjoy hav-
ing you with her SO much"
I looked up, astonished at this mood
but I saw the scheme at once and resolv-
ed to battle her; sol replied that I pre-
ferred making my visit after New Years.
My father, however, with mischiev-
GUS twinkle at me, remarked, "You had