The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1861-11-16
PHILLIP's WIFE.
By FRANCES sANDBORN.

By FRANCES SANDBORN.
"IIow is it, Phil, that you, with your
wealth, connections, good looks aud tai
cntS, have never married!" Queiied Char
ley Allen of his friend, Phillip Rivers.
The person addressed, tall well formed
gentleman Of some thirty years, turned
from the window at which he stood, gaz
ing cnrees>ly into the street. lie WAS
very handsome; his black wavy hair
shading a brow broad and white aud
his large eyes, which puzzled one tn de.
eide Of what hue they were, were full Of
expression.
swell" he replied after a moments
pause, "Charlry, you have enumerated
quite n host of Il -'lahlc qualities; no
wonder you think it strange have so
lurg remained in single blesScdness; but
| should never wish to marry one who
esteemed me for my wealth, connections,
good looks, or talents, as You are pleased
10 say. I.sh0uld never wish to marry
with one who cared for these alone.
, P>haw :" And he laughed rather bitterly,
as Charley Allen thought
"But, Phil, did y"u never see one
whom you would like to claim as your
wife. II seems to me, Rivers, you are
little fitted hv nature to be, what you are
nov termed, woman hatcr."
4 Phillip Rivers face was clnuded for n
moment, and his voice was half tender
when he replied.
And 50 | am; and | do not mind tell
ing you, Charley, that, with all his wealth
aud success, Phillip Rivers iSnot happy.
You ask me if never knew one whom
would wish to call my wife, Yes" lie
paused, and ran his fingers through the
mass of wavy hair which clustered about
his white forehead then, drawing n
chair near the cheerful fire, which cast n
pleasant glow about the room, he contin.
ned q" ran do no better, this evening,
than to tcT YOU the story Of my life, if
you would like to hear it."
Allen nodded assent.
"Wvll, sitting here, in this bachelors
halr Of mine, can scarcely realize that
what am about to tell you is not fiction
"a dream which my wild fancy has in
vented. Just thirty years ago, this COM
ing April first saw light As to my
childhood, suppose there is nothing to
interest vou, rs | was like most other
urchins--full Of mischief, and receiving
innumcrablc reminders Of my misdemean-
orS by sundry cuffs aud feTulings both Mt
home and at the country school to which
| was early introduced. When / reached
the age of fifteen my mother died; and,
as INV father had been killed by being
thrown from horse, when was but a
few months old, was now left alone in
the world, save one rclative-my mothers
uncle. On learning Of her death. and
my fricndlesS situation, he came TOR me,
aud conveyed me To his own house, and,
as he had no children, ! became as a son
to him. In one year ] entered college,
for ] had improved well the little OppOr-
tunity afforded the for learning. Perhaps
Madame Rumor had already told you Of
my wild freaks and dissipation during
the first two years Of my college course ;
certainly she brought some such reports
to my uncle's car, aud he spoke to me OF
them in manner which irritated, 20 the
greatest degree, my proud spirit ] ans
wercd him in way which provoked hts
anger, and left him, vowing never again
to cross the threshold. ] resolved to still
continue in my college course. although !
was aware that must win my own way
there, for | would receive no more assist
ancc from my uncle.
AFTER mcditating for long time upon
the matter, | resolved to become a teach
er, thinking thus to dcfray my expenses
Through the intervention Of o classmate,
| Mt length secured the situation Of teach
or in a small school in the town OF n
-. You smile, Allen. at the idea
Of the Iastidious Phillip Rivers teacher
in small country school but there mas
been great change since then. We'll,
all things went on well in my little EN-
>pirc. as | sometimes termed it; yet was
dissatisfied my pride rebelled against
nv situation, and grew more bitter than
ever against nv uncle; the days were
long, weary ones which passed in that
school room.
sOne morning, as I enteredin my usual
careless. preoccupied way, met at the
door a'chiid, who at once engaged my at
t.ntion. had never seen her before,
and presumed she was new pupil. She
could not have been more than ten years
old, vet | felt attracted toward her, as to
none other had ever seem. can see
her now, with her brown curls clustering
around a face which impressed you with
it's sad vet beautiful expression. He'
ewes. seeming almost unnaturally large,
we're of hazle hue; and, as she gazed
fur moment earnestly in my face, she
seemed almost to read my heart. The
hands. clasped together, were Drowned Oy
cxposnre to wind aud sun, but small and
well shaped; her dress was OF cheap ma
tcrial. but plain and neat-quite ut va
rance with the gaudy ornaments with
which some of the elder girls chose to ar
raw themselves. There was something
about her which caused me to gaze int
her face, till quick flush reminded me
and, walking firmly to my desk, called
the school to order. After the opening
exercises were over crossed the room
aud, standing by the new pupil, asked
her name. Agatha Lee she exclaimed
in low sweet voice, which reminded mi
of the chirping of the robin, who wake'
me every morning by his carol outside my
window. Agatha, | repeated, thinking
how well the name suited the demure Ut
tie figure. Again her face flushed, AM
pittying her confusion, l moved back =
my desk. l need not tell you, Charley
how often glanced toward her durin
the day; for see, by your lncreduiou
look, that you are half inclined to heiiev
| am inventing this which l qm tellln
YOU; but l tell you that child, Again