Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1862-04-11
IWritten for the Delaware Gazettel
MODERN ROM n " C Z :
Or, Ths LieRsenaut's Prize.
BYRurH MELVILLE

Willowdale, picturesque scene draws the at
tenlion of the passeI-by. 4 group OF child
ren, fantasticaIiy dressed, are engaged in the
merry, exciting games Of childhood; while 9th
ers are seated under the trees, partaking Of the
rich fruit and cake, prepared for he occasion
Pretty girls, from six to ten years Of age, are
eoquetting with hyoung gentlemen, some Of them
rejoicing in their first pair of trousers, while
others have reached the age of round-a-bouts.
But the objects that would attract the most al
tcntion are BOY OF about twelve, and a girl
Of eight. He, a noble, dark-eyed boy, she, a
fairy little creature, with blue eyes and brown
clustering curls. Her name is Jessie Hunting
don. and it is in honor Other presence that this
display is made. Sue is visiting with her
parents at her uucles, aud her aunt 10 compli-
ance with her wishes, and those of her little
cousin Mary, who is about the same age of Jes-
sic, had invited all the little friends of the
daughter to q kind Of Q picnic on their beau
tiful grounds
The boy, Paul Winters, is the only son oil
DR.. Winters, the village physician, and as no
bic boy US one ohen sees, mingled with kind
Of dignity and reserve, which sometimes would
have done honor to much older person, was
Of mischicvous. fln-loying disposition, and a
handsome face added TO a warm, impulsiye ma
ture made him the favorite Of both old and
young. Paul seems restless to-day, and stand
ing apart he watchs the several groups, and
often his eye wanders to the animated face OF
Mary Burton, aud then to her cousin. AL
though so young, the little hostess seems to be
fond of admiration, and fits from one of her
boy admirers to another with a bewitchng
grace Pdul's eyes blow her, and he looks
troubled. But now be tugns to speak to JsS-
sic, as she is tripping gaiy by him. WHAT
beautiful picture as they stand there side BY
side in the golden Iigbl Of the setting sun :
That noble boy That lovely girl
But u carriage rolls ap aud carries away a
part Of the little company; now another, and
another, till all are goae but Paul. lie still
stands talking with Mary and Jessie, until thC
night shadows gather ar0und them, then, bid
ding them goodnight, walks slowly toward:
Lis home.
What troubles you Paul? Are you already
jiyining the future? Think not Of the fu;ur,
LOW! The coming yearswil each bring thei
own sorrows. Eujoy he present while yoJ
may.
The mex. morning Jcsio Huntingdon wen
back TO her home at Ewoadvilla, ard it wa
six years ere she aga.R net Paul Winless.--
Six years had changed he laughing, danein:
jessie into t;mid, though still merry maiden
and as sac sits to-day. uultr th1 old c'm by ths
little riyVlel. weagi.. ss@Testli Of ,yiit towers
She looks very lovely. soft. dreamy light
in those bile eyes. Ah,Jessie, already dream
ing maiden dreams!
But hark, \ step rusaes the leaves near hei
aui she looks Up to mse. The laughing eyes 0
4 lad few yeas older than herself lie cam
forward with u familiar Dir and seated l,imsei
behind her. jessie lie said. ''arc YOU 10
lonely Lere, with no coupauioGs but the bird
and lshes:" "Oh, no, Harry" was the reply
Il am never lonely; but am glad you hav
cotlU tG help me tie tLiswreath." He turne
snIiI;ugly, and wal tched the little fingers as the
twuG.ed in and ont amoag the green leaves q
the wreath be held for hr. When il was don
! he he'd it over her head moment, thea let
fall upon the brown curls, sSyiHg as he steppe
back TO look at lis effect .you necd no sue
ornament, Jessie, though il is very beautiful
aud leaning forward, be touched his lips to hers
Her eyes flashed, but she said nothing an
turned to go away.
lie caught her hand, and said, you are nc
offended, Jessie?'
NO, no. She hlstilyanswered, "but t
time 10 90 home"
lie walked moodily by her side till the
reached the gate at her home, then, with
simple goodnight" he walked rapidly ava,
Harry Clinton was u farmers son, and ha
been u playmate Of Jessieslrom earliest chill,
hood. lie was fine looking fellow, AID po
sesscd a noble, generous nature.
RI The uext day was Sundly, and when jess
entered their pew III the country church, 81
saw young man, of about nineteen years
age, sitting directly in frontof her. The dat
eyes and white brow looked familiar to be
and she wondered why bet eyes would kec
wandering to that handsomeface, and then ST
would look reSolutely at the minister, only
q find herself the next moment again watchir
: the young stranger. He, on the contrary,
p not notice her at all, but his face was so
: mliar that she knew she had sceu him befor
q As they were going home from church, b
n father said 10 her mother, That young man s
4 ting in front Of US was Paul Wiuters, a cous
e of Ar. Willard, of the Willard estate. l b
e lieve he is going to spend The season with l
Il relatives" Simple words to bring the war
blood to Jossie's cheek; she knew not why
startled her, but she remembered him, al
knew ii was the same.
Paul met Jessie frequently during his sta
= but he thought of her only as pretty and
in teresi ing child; but that childish natpre is "a
u; riDening into a womanly one.
J. After be was gone Jessie could not forg
is him, and often through the winter thought
~ him, ard wondered if be Lad forgotten his i
C tie friend.
u Did lie forget her? We shall see.
Three more years passed, and Jessie was 81
is entcen. The pretty maiden was now We
Ii beautiful; graceful as the syaying willow.
On thought Paul Winters, whe1 again he visit
at his cousin and thus net thelnyely Jessie.
lg But it was only though, for his mind "
ys troubled, and lie thought Of little else besi,
5, that, Tue reader doubles remembers the !
OF tie Mary Burton, who seened rather given
coquetery even when a ctld. Paul Wint,
loved her, and tor year pastshe had beena
promised bride. But recently he had disco
cred that she was false 10 him; that che b
in only been flirting, except that she had 90
a further with him than With most of her suite
of So Paul was unhappy and for long ii
DIS did not notice Miss jessie except 20 treat
no politely. lie thought Of her cousin and
: . agined all women we're aike.
me One morning Jessie rose very early, .
eJ came dancing down stain 10 her father, a
ar putting up her rosy lips br a kiss, said, COZ
5es ingIy, Papa, l want to ide Tip this mornil
Of 1t is 50 lovely out Of dors that long 10
Il galloping far out over Ii hills" Her fltl
aC answered, with a smile, b the usually ST.
au man was always gentle t,bis beautiful tlau