The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1862-10-04
after them, did not sec that it was any.

alter them, dld not sec that II was any
body'S business.
In the meantime a visitor of another
description arrived at the farm. A cousin
of Mrs. Evans bad been as successful in
trade, as her husband had been in agricul-
ture, Gpd he now sent his only son to be-
come acquainted with his relations, and to
spend some weeks in their family.
Charles Foster was fine young man,
whose father was neither more nor less
than linen draper, in great town, but
whose mannerS, education, mind and char
acter might have done honor to q far
higher station. lie was, in a word, one
of natures gentlemen, and ihnothing did
he more thoroughly show his own taste
and good breeding, than by entering into
the homely ways and old fashioned habits
of his eisIESc9 0eusSMs. He was delighted
with the simplicity. |rpgnlity and industry
which blended web with the STERLING good
ness and genuine prudence Of the great
English farm house.
The women especially pleased him
much. They formed strong contrast
with any he bad met with before. No
finery-no coquetry-no French-no pia-
no! 1t is m4EaSsf3s to &eSt7iOe the SEN
Sation of relief and comfort with which
Charles Foster, sick of musical misses,
aScertaincd that the whole dwelling did
not contain a 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
consderatenesS engaged his full esteem /;
Patty's inn.cent playfulness suited best
with his own high spirits and animated
conversation. lie had known them apart
from the first; and denied that the like
ness was at all puzzling, or more than is
usual among sisters; and secretly thought
Patty as much prcttier than her sister as
she was avOwedly merrier. In doors and
out, he was constantly at her side; and
before he had been month in the house
ali the inmates had given Charles Foster
as lover Of his young cousin; and she,
when rallied on the subject, cried tie and
pish and pshaw and wondered how
people could talk such nonsense Sand
liked to have such nonsense talked to her
better than anything in the world.
Affairs were in this state, when one
night Jane appeared even gravcr and more
thoughtful! than usual, and lar. far aadder.
She sighed deeply, and Patty-tor the
two sisters occupied the same room-in-
quired "W hat allied her"
She burst into tears, whilst Patty hung
over her and soUthcd her. At length, She
reused herself by strong effort, aud,
turning away from her aiiectiOnatc COM
forter, said in a low tone -
/ have had great vexa,ion tonight,
Patty Charles Foster has asked he to
marry him
Charles Foster! did you say Charles
Foslcr:' asked Patty, trembling, unwIll-
ing even tO turn h,r own SENSES against
evidence Of her heart. Charles Foster ?
| Yes, our cousin, Charles Foster =
And you have accepted him : inquired
Patty, in Il hoarSc voice.
On, no-no-no! Did you think |
had forgotten poor Archibald! Besides,
am not the person whom he had ought
To have asked to marry him, false and
heartlrsS Us he Is; would not be his wife,
cruel, unter.!rr, uthHan!y as his conduct
has bccn No, not if he would make ne
qurcn Of England! !!
You refused him, then
No; my father met lis suddenly, uNt as
was recovering from the surprise and
Indignation that at first struck Inc dumb.
But shall refuse him most certainly--the
false, decoitlul, ungratcful villain!
Poor father, ne will be disappointed
So will mother
Tncy will be disappointed, and both
ang'v; bUt not at my refusal. Oh, how
! they viii despise him. added Jane.
Poor Patty, melted by her sisters sym
pathy, aud touched by an Indignation
uIosl unusual in that mild and gentle girl
c1uil 40 longer command her feelings, bul
II; . :, - + on the bed in that agony o
/ pa.,sip, and gritf, which the first great
aori ow seldom fails to excite in the young
! heart.
Alter awhile she again resumed the con
versation.
We must not blame him too severely
Perhaps my vanity made me think hi,
attentions tueant more than they really
did. But you must not speak so Of him
unkindly. lie has done nothing but
what is natural You are SO much better
and wiser than am, my own dear Jane
He laughed aud talked with me-but ht
felt your goodness, and he was right.
was never worthy Of him, and you are
and if it were not for Archibald, | shouc
rejoice from the bottom of my heart, con
tinued Patty, sobbing, if you would ac
cept---,' but unable to speak her gene
rous wish, she burst into Il fresh flood o
tears; and the sisters, mutually ant
strongly affected, wept in each Others
arms and were cOmlorted.
That night Patty cried herself to sleep
but such sleep is not of long duration.--
Before dawn she was up, and pacing witt
restless irritability the dewy grass walks
of the garden and orchard. In less thar
half an hour, light, elastic step--sh'
knew the sound well came rapidly be
hind her hand-oh, how often had sh,
thrilled at the touch of tnac ildffd--tricc
to draw hers under his own; whilst ,
a well-known voice addressed her in thu
tenderest accents.
Patty, my own sweet Patty! hav'
you thought of what | said to you las
night?'
Said to me?' replied Patty with bit
terness.
'Ay, to.be-sure, to your own dear self
Do you not remember the question ask
ed you, when your own good father--for
the first time unwelcome-joined US 81
suddenly that you had no time to say
'yes.' And will you not say yes now?
Mr.. Foster, said Patty, with som'
spirit, you are under a mistake here -
1t was to Jane that you made the propo
sal last evening, and you are taking INT
for her this very moment!'
Mistake you for your sister! Propose
to Janel Incrediblel Impossible! Yor
are jesting.'
Then he mistook Jane for me las
night, and he is no deceiverl' though
Patty to herself. as with smiles bcaming
through her tears, she turned at his re
iterated prayers, and yielded the hand he