Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1862-01-17

I
times come to look after them, did not Sc
that it was anybody's business.
In the meautime, a visitor of another dc
/ scription arrived at the farm. A cousin q
| Mrs. Evans had been as successful in trade a
her husband had been in agriculture, and nov
he sent his only son to become acquainted will
her relations, and to spend some weeks in thei
family. Charles Foster was fine young man
whose father was neither more or less than {
linen draper in great town; but whose man
ners, education, mind and character might have
done honor to far higher station. He wat
IN word, ono of natures gentlemen, and in
nothing did he more thoroughly show his own
taste and good breeding, than by entering en-
tirely into the homely ways aud old fashioned
habits of his country cousins. He was delight.
ed with the simplicity, frugality and industry
which blended well with the sterling goodness
and genuine prudence of the great English
farm home. The women especially pleased
him much. They formed a strong contrast
with any he had met with before. No finery
: no coquetry-no French-no piano. 1t is
impossible to describe the sensation of relie
and comfort with which Charles Foster, sick
of musical misses, asccrtained that the whole
dwelling did not contain single Instrument
except the bassoon on which George Evans
was wont, every Sabbath, at church, to excru-
ciate the ears of the whole congregation. He
liked both sisters. James softneSs and con
siderateness engaged his full esteem; Patty's
innocent playfulness suited best with his OWL
high spirits and animated conversation. He
had known them apart from the first and in
deed denied that the likeness was at all puz
zling, or more than is usual among sisters; and
secretly thought Patty as much prettier than
her sister as she was avowedy merrier. In
doors and out. be was constantly at her side
and before he had been a month in the house
all the inmates h. d given Charles Foster as
lover of his Young cousin; and she, when
rallied on the subject, cried ie ! and pish and
pshaw and wondered how people could talk
such nonsense-and liked to have such non
sense talked to her better than anything in the
world
Affairs were in this state, when one night
Jane appeared even graver and more thought
ful than usual, and far, far sadder. She sigh
ed deeply; and Patty for the two sisters oc-
cupied the same room-inquired, 'What allied
hep
She burst into tears, whilst Patty hung over
her to soothc her. At length she rouscd her
self by strong effort, and turning away from
her aifectionate comforter, said, in low
tone
Il have had great vexation tonight, Pat
ty; Charles Foster has asked me to marry
him.
Charles Foster? did you say Charles Eos
ter?' asked poor Patty, trembling, unwilling
even to turn her own senses against the evil
denee of her heart, Charles FOSTER"
Yes; our cousin, Charles Foster"
And you have accepted him?' inquired
Fatty in a hoarse voice.
''Oh, no--no-noI Did you think 1 had
fnrgotten nnnr Arlhil4lLl2 Besides aH moi
the person whom he ought to have asked to
marry him, false and heartless as he is; would
cot be his wife, cruel, uufeeling, unmanly as
his conduct has BEEN No! not if he would
make me queen Of Englaud -.
" You refused him, them"
No; my father met us suddenly, just as |
was recovering from the surprise and indigna-
tiOn that al first struck me dumb. But shall re-
fuse him-the false, dcceitruI, Hngracelul vii
lain!'
Poor father, he will be disappointed. So
will mother
''iFhey will be disappointed, and both angry,
but not at my refusal. Oh; how they will de
spise him. added Jane.
Poor Patty, melted by her sisters sympa-
thy and touched by an Indignation most unu-
sual in that mild and gentle girl, couIAao lon
ger command her feelings, but thew herself
on the bed in that agony of passion and grief,
which the first sorrow seldom fails to excite in
the young heart. After while she again re-
Sumcd the conversation.
I'VE must not blame him loo severely
Perhaps my vanity made me think his aten-
tions meant more than he really did, and you
had all taken up the notion. But yoa must
not speak of him SO unkindIy. lie has done
nothing but what is natural. Y You are so much
better and wiser than am, my own dear Jane!
lie laughed and talked with me-but he felt
your goodness; and he was right. was never
worthy of him, and you are; and if it were
not for Archibald, shoald rejoice from the
bottom of my heart" continued Patty, sob
bing, If you would accept but unable
to speak her generous wish, she burst in fresh
flow OF. tears; and the sisters, mutually and
strongly affected, wept in each others arms,
and were comiorted
That night Patty cried hersslf asleep, but
such sleep is not of long duration Before
dawn she was up, and pacing with restless ir-
ritability, the dewy grass walks of the gar
den and orchard. In less than half an hour. a
light elastic step-she knew the sound we'll
came rapidly behind her hal doh, how Of
ten had she thrilled at the touch of that hand
tried to draw hers under his own; whilst a
well known voice addressed her in the softest
aud tcndcrest accects:
"Patty-mY own sXfnt- -p.s++--t--fr1rvc you
Thought Of what ! said to you last nighi?"
''Said TO mc?" replied Patty with bitter
ness.
"Ay, to be sure-tO your own dear self! do
you not remember the question asked you,
when your good lather-for the first time un-
welcome-joincd US So suddenly that you had
not time to say yes now?"
"Mr. Foster" said Patty with some spirit.
"you are under a mistake here! 1t was to
Jane that you made the proposal last even
ing and you are taking me for her at this very
moment"
mistake you for your sister, Propose to
Jane Incredible! Impossible You are
jesting!"
81 hen he mistOok Jane for me last night
and he is no deceiver!" !" thought Patty to her
sell, as with smiles beaming brightly through
her tears, she turned round at his reiterated
prayers, and yielded the hand he sought to his
pressure
"Eie mistook her for me! lie that defied US
TO perpleX him !"
And so it was; an unconscious and unob-
served change of place. as either sister resum-
ed her station beside little Betty, who had
c amOprp6 q Vvov n flor n frlo,,, ,,,o,,, ,l1ol e.