The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-11-06
CORA BLANCHARD;
Or A DIAMOND ROMANCE.


master on that stormy morning when Cora
Blanchard and r. she in her BROTHERS boots,
and ] 10 my fsther's socks--waded through
drift after drift Of snow, to the old brown
schooIhouse At The foot Of the long. steep hill.
We we're the only girls who had dared to
brave tha, wintry storm. and we felt amply
repaid for our trouble, when we saw how
much attention we received from the ten tall
boys who had come---some for fun--scfae be-
cause they saw Cora Blapchard 70 by--snd
one, Walter Beaumnnt, because he did not
wish TO lose the lessons Of the day. Our
teacher, Mr.. Grannis, was fitting him for
college. and every moment was precious 10
the white-browed, intellectual student. who
was quite lion among Us girls, partly be-
cause he was ,ider, and partly because he
never noticed US as much as did the boys.
On this occasion, however, he was quite at
tentive 10 Cora, al least. pulling of her boots,
renewing her hood. and brushing the large
snow fakes from her soft. wavy hair. while
her dark brown eyes smiled gratefully upon
him as he gave her his warm seat by the sto, e.
That morning Cora wrote me silly on her
slate; al don't care il mother does say Wal
ter Beaumont is poor as poverty--l like him
best Of anybody in the world-don't youf"
! thoaght OF ;he big red apple 10 my pock-
ct, and Of the bay who had 50 carefully siak-
en- the snow from off nv fathers socks. and
answered, .No,"-thinking all the while that
| shoold say yes, If Walter had treated me
a. he did nv playmate and friend, Cora Blan.
chard. She was beautiful young girl. ia
soritr with all. and possessing. as il seemed.
but one glaring fault--a proneness to esti-
mate people for their wealth rather than worth.
This, in a measure, was the result OF her hume
traning. for her family, though far from being
rich. were very aristocratic, and stroye to keep
their children as much as possible from asso.
riaiing with the "vuigar herd" as they styl-
I'd the laboring class of the community. ln
her secret heart Cora had long cherished a
preference for Walter, though never until
the morning &c which write. had it been
openly ayowed. And Walter, too. while
knowing haw far above him she was in point
Of position. had dared to dream Of time
when bright.haired woman. with face
much like that Of The girlish Cora. would
gladden. his home, wherever il might be.
Thereupon. as we sat around the glowing
stove. we plsyei as children will. and Il came
nv turn to "ansver truly whom intended
10 marryP' Without . thought oi the biz
apple, the snowy socks. Of any one in partic-
ular, replied unhesItstingly. The one
love best" aud the question passed on to Co.
rs, who was sitting BY the side Of Walter
Beaumont. He had not joined Us in oui
sport. but now his eye left his book aud rest
ed upon Cora with an expression hall fearful
half expeetant. She. too. glanced at him
aad as IL the spirit Of prophecy were npoi
, her. she said: 81 shall not marry the one
love best, but the one who has the most mon
ey. and can give me the handsomest dia
monds. Sister Fanny has magnificent set
and she looks 50 beautiful when she wear
.hem."
Inst.ntly there fell = shadow on Waite
Beaumont'- fare. snd his eyes returned agaii
10 the Latin -leitered page. But his thought
were not OF what was written there; he va
/ thnking of the humble cottage on The bar
ders Of the wood, Of the rag carpet on th
floor, Of the plain. old fashioned furniture
and of the gentle. loving woman, who callel
him cher boy" aud that spot her home
:, There we're no diamonds there-no muney-
!. and Cora, IL fot these she married would ne.
s er be his wife. Early and late he toiled an
studied, wearing his thresd.bare coat an
coarse brown pants, for an education, sue
Is he must have, admitted of no useless ex
penditsre, aud the costly gems which Cor
craved we're not his TO give. In the purs
unselfsh love springing up for her within hi
heat. there were diamonds OF lmperIshabl
value, and these. together with The name b
% would make far himself. he would oiIsr hel
! but nothing more; and Tor many weeks ther
Y was shadow on his own brow, thuugh h
!. was Kind and confederate 70 her as of old.
Il As the spring and summer glded BY. how
eve, there came a change, and when in III
autumn, he left our village for New Havea
there was happy, joyous look upon his fac.
while a tress Of Curs's silken hair was lynn
next to his heart. Every week he wrote I
q her, and Cora answered, always showing I
.. me what she had written. but never wnr
Of his. "There was too much love- sh
said, ",oo much good advice in his letter
for me to see." aud lhus the time passed on
until Walter, who had entered the junio
class, was graduated with honor. and was q
Z, bout TO commence a theological course a
II Andoyer, Tor he had made the ministry hi
y choice. Ne was twrnis-one now, and Cur
vas sixteen. Wondvroasly beautiful va
she TO look upon, with her fair young face
her soft brown eyes, and wavy hair. An
Walter Beaumont loved her devotrdly, be
9 iieving. too. that she 10 turn loved him, q
onr sumner afternoon, 10 the green old woad
which skirted the village. she had sat BY II
: side. and with ihe sunb ans glancing dow
: upar her through the oserhanging bonghs
% she had told HIM 80. and promised some de-,
% 10 be his wife. Still. she would not hear {
positive engagement-both should be ffs
to change their mind if they wished. she said
and with this Walter was satisfied.
81 have no diamonds to give YOU, darling.
y he said, drawing her elose to him. an,
N Cora, knowing to what he referred. answsfe'
that "his love was dtsref e. her than all tn
sorld besides"
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