Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-03-09
Winning and Losing a Wife.

the sun had set more tnan an nOur ago.
From the woods that crested the gentle
slope came at intervals the plaintiYe cry
of the whippoorwill, and the whole scene
was full of delicious repose. The win
ldows OF the little inn that nestled among
the hills, as if it had grown up there
smong the oaks and beeches, we're dra-
period with roses, whose crimson cups
swung TO and fro in the fragrant wind
that had been stealing perfume from a
thousand sheltered copses and blossoming
wild flowers. 1t was a pretty, picturesque
spot enough-not fashionable hotel, by
any means, but merely stopping place
for the stages that performed tri-weekly
journeys over the steep roads to the min
eral springs that lay eight or ten miles be-
yond.
In the itecurtained apartment dig
ni6ed by the title of ''ladies' parlor," one
passenger was quietly sauntering 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 travel
ing dress, and the pearly edgings of lace
round her throat and wrists. Her hair was
just the shade of pale brown that verges
into gold, and the brilliant hazel eyes,
fringed by long curled lashes, gave an ex-
preston of winning softness to the whole
face. You never would have suspected
that this girl was belle snd beauty in
drawingrooms of the metropolis-she
seemed SO formed by nature to deck the
quiet solitude where she was at this mo-
ment. Thus capriciously does Fate scat
ter her girl blossoms over the face of this
earth
AS she paced the floor, playing with a
sprig of roses she had gathered from 8
saucy branch which fairly hung into the
room, and singing softly to herself, the
door opened, and a ruddy faced old gen.
tleman, armed and equipped with carpet
bags innumerrable, made his appearance.
The stage is ready, Mary!
so soon, papa?'
so soon 1 should think it was timei-
Here I've waited q mortal half-hour in
this savage place, where body can't so
much as get good cigar or a week old
newspaper |, for one, shall be glad to get
away from it, Give me your travelling
basket, my love-take care of the turn
in the steps Here we are, safe inside
And away went the numbering vehicle.
-
Hold on, driver, here's pair of belated
passengers for youP
The officiating Jehu drew in his horses
with jerk, as merry voice hailed him
from the roadside.
Room for two, inside9'
Just room, SIR
The door swung creaking on its hinges
and closed again. Miss Vere's heart had
involuntarily quickened its pulsations the
moment those clear, pleasant accents had
chimed through the heavy night air, and
she knew that two rival lovers whose COM
pany she had been disappointed in not
having in the stage, were about entering
on the scene. Yet with all a woman's
perversity, she sat silently in her corner,
and was secretly rejoiced that papa was
sleeping soundly in his corner, The two
young men, (Alfred Gordon and Frank
Millbrooke,) who had walked ahead TO a
commanding point to see the sun set,
soon came into the stage, which again
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 alb
ruptness that had nearly precipitated Mr..
Gordon out upon the green turf; and the
driver shouted:
Gentlemen and ladies, can't you make
room for one more?
The expectant passenger presented her
self on the steps. By the uncertain glim-
mer of the box-lamps, she appeared to be
shriveled old woman, of nearly seventy,
with crumpled black bonnet, pair of
rusty cotton gloves, and an umbrella that
must have been bequeathed to her from
the days when there were giants upon
the earth Alfred Gordon viewed her tOsa
ensemble with dismay.
Room, driver? what are you talking
about? we are crowded alreadyp
i know it, sir; but her darter's sick,
and she wants to get to her right away
! It's old Siah Jmith's widder, down to,
Il don't care whose widow she is-there
/ isn't room. Look at her camphor bottles
and musty crape-a nice companion to be
jammed into a close coach with. Go ahead
driver; judging from the looks of her
shoes, a walk of four or FIVE miles won't
hurt her.
Gordon for shamel exclaimed Mil
brooke, reprovingly. Have you forgot
ten that she is a weak and aged woman?
I'll ride outside myself Madam, Will you
accept my seatl'
He alighted as he spoke, and courteous
ly offered his aid to the venerable reject
of Siah Smith, who, being half blind, and
more than half deaf, had been balancing
on the steps IN state of hopeless bewil-
derment.
In vain Alfred Gordon shrugged his
shoulders and curled his lip at the close
ivicinage of the camphor bottle and big
4 wicker basket. Milbrooke arranged the
oid lady's worn shawl as carefully as if it
| had been the cashmere of duchess.
81 don't know who you may be, young
sh-.' said the old creature, in a tremulous
lyoice. as he at length Withdrew, but
know you're good son to your mother
There Tyas no reply. The door was
closed, and the ponderous vehicle slowly
got into motion once more.
Mary We're sat perfectly silent during
/ the whole of this brief episode, but her
cheek had glowed, and her eyes flashed,
i more than once. And now that it was
over, her heart pulsated with curious
medley of emotions. 1t seemed as if, du-
ring those few moments, she had obtained
an insight into the nature of the two gen
tlemen, which the months and years of
her previous acquaintance with them had
failed TO supply.
He who is wanting in politeness to, the
oldest and humblest of my sex. lacks re-
spect for myself reflected Miss We're,
with an instructive Strengthening of her
little form, and the man who treats the
poor and aged with courtesy, is one OF ma
lures princes"
There was no more puzzling OF the lit
4 tie brains to decide the important ques-
ton which had greatly perpieKed her
short time before. She was quite certain
now which of her two admirers she pre-
ferred.
.Heigho. I mHst have been asleep,
yagned old Mr.. We're, as the stage stop