Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-03-29
How | Lost My Lover.
BY NELL PITTSINGER.

"Be careful of the fire, Nelly" was the last
injunction of thousand that my parents gave
me, as they started off on visit to some rela-
tives residing Eastward, beyond the White
Mountains. They were to remain absent about
a fortnight; and | was to be commander-in in -chiei
of rows of shining milk pans, pots, kettles, and
household affairs in general and in particular.
| Farmers wives know that this Is post of
considerable Importance, one OF hard duty and
constant watchfulness. ] was SO thoroughly
convinced of my competency as housewife that
was sorely irritated when my good mother i'm.
1plied doubts of it, by her countless and repeated
charges.
Now, thought, 81 am in my glory" as /
sat down to recover the breath and patience
had lcst in racing after collars, gloves, pins and
neck-ties; and in order to prepare for COM
menciDg operations, which | resolved should
astonish my unbelieving parents, and show them
what treasure of daughter they unwittingly
possessed | glanced around. The rooms were
/ in woful confusion. Band-boxes, boots, coats
pants, and cast off shirts, were scattered over
the floor and chairs; oobwebs hung from the win
dows; on the table lay huge pile of unwashed
dishes; and the half opened doors revealed
tunbled beds and musty toilet stands This ac-
cnmulation of disorder would have driven Lord
Chesterfield distracted and no wonder that the
d
tient face. was no longer to be 'daunted, how
ever, for had notion to try what pair of
spry feet and hands could accomplish. At that
instant the old clock in the sitting room pealed
forth one, two, three, four, five; thu morning
was yet young, and | arose with quick step
and light heart Broom, brush, dishcloths,
and persevering labor, got the mastery and
shortly surveyed with proud satisfaction, the
beautiful order | had brought about. -Somes
thing still was wanting, and snatching my broad
brimmed hat from it's accustomed nail, with eager
footsteps | sought my flower garden. Selecting
choice roses, pansies and verbenas, / transfer
red them to our cosy parlor, very angels Of fra
GRANGE and beauty. Nor was this all. / de-
termined to get dinner that would shed honor
upon me !; SO, barring my arms, was soon deep
in Aunt Dinah's mysteries, thought busy, and,
as the sequel will prove, thought wondering.
Through the tender care of the novelist he
roine retains the immaculate whiteness of her
robes even though she should wade through q
mud puddle. He knows it would never do to
introduce her washing, with bedraggled and
bespattered skirts it wonld sound unromantic.
Well, / was once simple enough to believe all
his fbs, and inclined to initiate his lady Angelas
in dress SO | donned my daintiest white mus,
lin. While Istood before the glass, could not
help feeling good deal of natural, feminine van
ity, for was looking my very best. True, my
figure was rather too short, and its proportion
was of too healthy fulness- for elegance; but
was pretty-there was no gainsaying it. My
short, thick crrls, and bright, black eyes were
attractive; and / knew that was vain puss
then, petted, half-spoilt only daughter and
heiress to broad acres. You'll ask for whom
were all these preparations2 Certainly not for
lone me.
Who ever heard of girl of eighteen work.
ing and puttering at such rate, when she does
not expect a beaus You see knew, intutive-
ly, that Philip Dean would come-you know
Philip2 There had been a little kindness grow
ing up between us two from mere babyhood.-
He had carried my dinner basket night and
morning, during all our school days, and always
insisted that ] was much handsomer and better
than rival belle, sweet Jenny Wheeler. Be-
sides, be won my girlish gratitude, by silly
working out for me the long, hard sums in the
old arlthmetlc-no wonder be was undisputed
owner OF a large share ofmy affections.
Since had donned large frocks, had been al
most invariably his companion to all the sing,
ing schools, picnics, sleigh rides, and boating ex>
cursioDs. 1t was his general rule to spent two
evenings of the week at our house; yet, with
all this attention, he had never spoken q word
OF love. Somehow, had presentiment, (you
girls understand this,) that a declaration would
soon be made. was not mistaken. It was
not long ere heard q step on the graveIled
walk that could belong to no other bat himself.
Looking backward over tie train of years. it
seemed strange what futter, futter, there was
about my heart. Philips CHEEKY "gsod morn
ing in no wise tended to allay my perturbat;o on.
His hazel eyes had never appeared so handsome
and impassionate before nor had he been half
SO entertaining-Oh! was proud of him.
We sat near each other so near that he toyed
with my hand. 1t was way Philip had, and
thought nothing of it.