The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1862-01-15
A COqUette's Confession.

[ was coquette Many lovers heart
[ had lacerated by refusing their offers of
marriage, after | had lured them on to a
''declaration." NV last victims name
was James Frazier lie was tall awk-
ward, ungainly, bomel y, man, but his
heart was as true as steel. | respected
him highly, and felt panied when l wit
messed his anguish at my rejection of him.
But the fact was, | had myself fallen in
love with Capt. Elliot, who had been un-
remitting in his attentions to me. Mr..
Frazier warned me against Elliot; but I
charged him with jealousy, and took mis-
warning as an insult. A few days after
wards Elliot and were engaged, and my
dream OF romantic life seemed to be in Il
fair way of realization. | had week Of
happiness. Many have not SO much in a
lifetime. Many awake from the bright,
short dream to find themselves in lifelong
darkness, and bondage from which there
is no escape Thank God, | was not so
miserable as they.
My mother was a widow in opulent
circumstances, but having very bad health,
she was also of an easy, listless, credu-
lous nature, hating trouble, and wiling to
take things just as they might happen to
present themselves. She therefore made
no inquiries about Capt. Elliot-but fond
ly believed that inasmuch as be was a
captain, he must nee ssarily be man Of
honor also, especially as he had served in
the Crimea and in India, and wore med
ais. His regiment was quartered in our
neig ghborhood, and he had the reputation
of being the wealthiest, as he was certain
ly the handsomest officer in it, | remem-
Der as we'll as possible the day we became
engaged: he was on duty, but had man
aged to ride over to our house in his uni
form, and while we were walking in the
garden be made the tender avowaI. | re-
ferred him to mamma )" he FASTENED to
her, returned in three minutes and led
me TO her presence to receive the assur-
ance that the maternal consent had been
readily and freely given. To be sure
Ny dear mother hated trouble, as | have
said, and she moreover loved me tenderly;
so that she was pleased to find husband
presenting himself, in form and manner
apparently so eligible for her beloved and
Only daughter. /lt#E
Well, week passed quite delightfully."-,
as [ have said and at the expiration of
this brief period, there might one fore
noon have been seen gay equestrian
party riding through our old Devonshire
woods and quiet country roads. Elliot
and | led the cavalcade. | rode my own
beautiful Brown Bess. Captain Elliot
was mounted on the handsome black
horse that had been sent him from Lon
don. Following US was bevy of laugh
ing girls and their cavaliers and among
them was tail, awkward, silent James
Frazier. His presence had marred the
pleasure Of my ride, aud | was glad to be
IN advance Of them all, that | might not
see him. -r--re.-.
And SO we rode on through the woods,
and | listened, well pleased, to the low
but animated words of the gallant Elliot,
who wished himself knight and me a
fair lady of the olden time, that he might
go forth to battle for me, and compel all
men to recognize the claims of his peer
less love. Very eloquently be spoke of