Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-02-19
Miseries of Near-sighted Young
Woman.
Dar.sighted, aud an old maid.

am near-sighted, and an old maid
Almost any one would admit that one Of thes
-; -sortunes alone was sufficient for any individ
,,,S nnS ! 1t both viale of wrath were unstoppe
eha,a w., ~ ~, iefenceless head.
"oy,v o,a ~ ,oar lighted and husbaudess, and am
wall No ,ra,,or Il, w old. No woman gets 80 oil
as to lose all hope, tn v p"'' ""N "1' '''''-'
D1V haye nos s Ss, bssr n,or.s 'Sbt0d always. Ii
childhood, am sure, could ~ ~ ,ga mr. 90 ~
one who could see no farther, .nS ,Oadsloo %sI a
twelve years was prostrated with the N''"''eD
and they left me short-sighted.
You fortunate people who have good eyes
and can see to read signs across the street, and
can recognize your friend without the necessity
of crossing over to be sure it is the right one
know nothing of the porils and trials of q near
sighted persons; nothing Mt all, and no pen could
picture them to you, were 1t ever so graphic.
All through my girlhoOd | was engaged 10
picking up pins and needles, which proved to be
straws; bowing to people had never seen be-
fore, upsetting invisible cans aud baskets. and
hurrying by my best friends, never dreaming of
their propiuqui.y
shook hands with the Governor of the State
once, under the impression that he was my uncle
Jefferson, and astoniHhed him beyond measure
by inquiring how Aunt Polly's rheumatism was,
and if she had good luck with her last boiling Of
sOftsoap. have searched half the day for some
particular store or shop, which | had passed
twenty times without being able to read the
sign.
Nature had endowed me with a good voice,
and was needed to sing in our choir but good
ness was so near-sighted that | could not
see to read the music unless | held the book
close to my eyes, and then the whole congrega-
tiOn would ignore the singing aud whisper loud
enough for every one to hear ono to another,
"HOW near-sighted Agnes Graymond is I" 1
could uot benr the nooriety, so l left the choir.
II made an appointment anywhere l was in-
Variably an hour too late, or as much too early,
because, if il had been TO have saved the city,
could not have told the.time by the town clock.
=, never dared to go out nghts-not on account
of ghosts, for might have gone directly through
ghost without ever seeing it--but bacause l
was liable TO dash my brains out against any
lanp.poBt that happened to be standing in the
way. ;.
My friends deserted me. used to pass them
bliudly by, aud once ran away from my own
father, thinking him picspooket.
stumbled over poor MIR. Blake, my mothers
most reverend minister, as | was coming down
stairs-never seeing him ill heard the noise of
his fall.
Once went into strange church, and there
being no sexton, very Gravely took my seat
with the deacOns. greatly to the scandal of the
congregation. was not to blame. The church
was dark, and certainly took he head of the
talest deacon for a wOmans white bonnet and
veil.
AT last fell in love Perhaps you may won
der how | ever came nenr enough to any man to
fall in love with him Thornwall Creieton was
my music teacher, and had TO sit near him in
order to Sc the notes, you know.
Mr.. Creighton was a lawyer in good practice
"A man of wealth and influence. At the urgent
solicitation Of my father he consented to give me
nstructon-nnd-and the rest was just what
might have been anticipated.
At the end Of three weeks we were betrothed.
Mr.. Creighton was handsome, and intelligent,
and kindhearted, but he had one terrible fault
he was jealous.
used to drive him nearly frantic by my at
tentiOns to other men, as he called my lolliug my
head this way and that, to find who l should
speak to and who should ignore.
When we had been two months betrOthed Mr..
Creighton was called to New York on business.
We had very atfectonate parting and after he
had gone, time never dragged on so slowly. He
went away on Thursday and would return the
ensuing Wednesday.
Wednesday arrived at last. The train from
New York was due at ten A. NJ, and by the
time the clock struck the hour was in the front
hall waiting for him. had dressed myself in
his tavorte colors, and was confident of making
u good impression.
him coming up the street at rapid pace.
opened the door and stood on the threshold ready
to meet him. He ran up the steps-I rushed
forward and threw myself into his arms, CRYING
out, "0bl am so rejoiced to see you /" and
thgn flung my arms around his neck and kissed
hm--kiSsed him more than once, l am afraid.
He did not speak, but hugged me with consid-
erable empTessemelt. Just then then there was
wild shrek from some one at the gate, and
WemAn rushed up the steps and commenced beat
ing me over the head with a market basket
The basket contained turkey, aome potatoes,
lettuces, and packages of tsa and sugar and
about my devoted head they all fell in lavish pros
fusion.
I'm learn you to kiss other women's husbands
10 broad daylight !" rOared the woman, slapping
me IN the face with the unfortunate turkey
"Heint you satisfied with one sweetheart, that
you must be seducng of my husbandY"
looked up in the face of the gentleman had
been greeting, and goodness me it was the face
OF an entire stranger. And at the same moment
| met the eyes Of Mr. Creighton looking over
the strangers shoulder. He was as black as
thnnder-cloud.
"Agnes," he said, 81 have seen all. Wretch
cd girl allow me to bid you farewell!"
'Thornwell I" | cried ''eh! Thornwelll it
was all mistake did not know this man! |
am innooent-I-"
agnes, saw for myself" he said, coldly.-
"Good-byel"
He turned and left me- apologsed as we'll
could to the strange gentleman, who proved
" De the "oil man. npoogised to his wife
went up to my chamber and had q good cry.
have never met Mr.. Creighton since, save in
company. He is married to an amiable woman
who is not near-sighted.
Since then have had Offers but have thought
Dest to delcine. | am afraid of an other mistake
with some other woman's husband.
SO can end as began--I am near-sighte,i,
and an old maid