The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1864-02-10
WINNING ASD LOSING
4 WIFE.


rizon that still burned and glowed where
the sun had set more than an hour ago.
From the woods that erested the gentle
slope came at intervals the plantive cry
Of the whippoefwill, and theswhole scene
was full of delicious fepose. The win
dows of the little inn that nestled among
the hills, as if it had grown up there
among the oaks and beeches, were drape-
ried with roses, whose crimson cups swung
too and fro in the fragrant wind that had
been stealing perfume. from thousand
sheltered copses and blossoming wild
flowers. Itwas pretty, picturesque spot
enough-not fashionable hotel, by any
means, but NEARLY stopping place for
the stages that performed tri-weekly jour
neys over the steer roads to the mineral
springs that lay eli; h or ten miles beyon /.
In the white -curtained apartment dig
nifed by the title of 'aadies parlor," one
passenger was quietly sauntcring up and
down, waiting for the arrival of the afore-
said stage. By the light of the solitary
lamp on the table, she looked very fair
and delicate in her dove -colored travelling
dress. and the pearly edgings CT lace
was just that shade of pale brown that
verges into gold, and the brilliant hazel
eyes, fringed by long curled lashes, gave
an expression of winning softnesS to the
whole face. You never would have sus-
pected that this girl was belle and
beauty in drawing rooms of the metrop-
olis--she seemed SO formed by nature to
deck the quiet solitude where she was at
this moment. Thus capriciously does
Fate scatter her girl blossoms over the
face of this earth
As she paced the floor, playing with a
sprig of roses she had gathered from
saucy branch which fairly hung into the
room, aud singing softly to herself, the
and ruddy faced old gentleman, armed
and equipped with carpet bags innumera-
Bile, made his appearance.
The stage is ready, Nary
$50 soon, papa?
SO soon | should think it was time
Here I've waited mortal half-hour in
this savage place, where o y can't So
much as get Il good cigar, or week old
newspaper !-Give me ysur travelling bas-
ket, my love-take care of the turn in the
steps! Here we are, safe inside. And
away went the numbering vehicle.
X 4; 4 x i; !:
Hold on, driver, here's pair of be-
lated passengers for you'
The officiating Jehu drow in his horses
with jerk, as mer y voice hailed him
from the roadside.
'Room for two, inside?
Just room, sir
The poor swung creaking on its hinges
and closed again. Miss Vere's heart had
involuntarily quickened its pulsations the
moment those clear, and pleasant accents
had chimed through the heavy night air
and she knew that two rival lovers whose
company she had been disappointed iu
not having i'll the stage, were about en-
tering upon the scene. Yet with all a
WON IN perversity, she sat silently in he,
corner, and was secretly rejoiceI that her
papa was sleeping soundly in his corner
The two young men, Alfred Gordon and
frank Millbro ,ke) who had walked ahead
to commanding point, to see the sun SCI
soon came into the stage, which agair
went jolting along until it suddenly stop.
ped once more.
what are we stopping for now? ex
claimed Gordon.
The stage door was opened with an ab
ruptness that nearly precipitated Mr.
GordAn out upon the green turf; and tn
drivei shouted:
Gentlemen ans ladies, can't you max
room for one more?
The expectant passenger presented her
self on the steps. BY the uncertain Slim
mcr of the box lamps, she appeared to b
IA shriveled old woman, of nearly sevent.
with il crumpled black bonnet a pair o
rusty cotton gloves, and an umbrella tina
must have been bequeathed to her fror
the days when there were giants upon tn
earth! Alfred Gordon viewed her toA
ensemble with dismay.
Room, driver? what are you talkin
about? We are crowded already!
Il know It, sir; but her darters sick
and she wants to get to her right cway
Its old Siah Smiths widder, down to
don't care whose widow she is-ther
ism t room. Look at her campher bottle
and musty crape--a nice companion to b
iammcd into close coach with. u
ahead, driver, Judging from the looks
her shoes, u walk of four or live mile
won't hurt her.
| sGordon for shame! exclaimed Mi
brooke, rcprovingly Have you forgotte
: that she is weak and aged woman?
ride outside myself. Madam, will you AZ
!. cept my seat?
lie alighted as he spoke, and courteou
G " offered his aid to the venerable rele
Of 'Siah Smith, who being half blind, ar
more than half deaf, had been balancil
: on the steps in state of hopeless bewi
d derment.
e In vain Alfred Gordon shrugged h
}; sholders and curled his lip at the clio
c vicinage of the camphor bottle and b
8 wicker asket.-3Milbrooke arranged tt
old lady's worn shawl as carefully as
it had been the cashmere of duchess.
Il don't know who you may be, your
sire said the old creature, IN a trem1lo
y voice, as he at length withdrew, but
n know you're good son to your mother.
r. There was no reply. The door W
It closed, and the ponderous vehicle slow
= rot into motion once more
: Mary Yero sat perfectly silent durl'
d the whole Of this brief episode, but h