The Grand Haven news., 1865-02-15
LEONARD wATsoN's LETTER.

She was sitting in the prettiest Of bed
rooms, writing busily sometimes the blue
eyes filled with mirth, as the rapid pen
jotted some odd conceit or queer express
ion; again she would toss her bright
curls, and a saucy smile would cross her
little mouth, as mischief flowed from the
small golden point Of her weapon. One
after another, the little sheets of note pa
per we're filed with dainty characters fold
ed aud slipped into the snowy envelopes.
Suddenly the pretty writer paused. Rest
ing her little dimpled chin on her hand, she
sank into a rcverie; the blue eyes lost
their smiling light, the rosy mouth folded
into sweet, earnest gravity, as she sat
buried in thought.
"If / only dared" she whispered, "If
I only dared" Then, with a quick i'm
pulse, she selected sheet of paper some
what larger than those she had been us
ing, and began to write again, not, as be-
fore, merry and careless, but with deep
earnestness, the rapid pen evidently trac-
ing words Of grave Importance and
weight. Once she paused, and, folding
her little hands, raised her eyes in prayer.
AS she sealed the long letter, she did
what she neglected before-directed it in
clear pretty hand, and then placed it
carefully in her writing desk. Again she
continued her task; sometimes a scrap Of
verse, saucy quotation, or even an ad-
dress. filled the sheet, but oftener little
graceful note was written and folded
She was busy, when laughing voices in
the hall made her pause.
"Come right up, girls. am in my
room," she called.
And in answer to the summons, four
gay bellies Of Caireville came dancing into
the room, with" How manv have you
written, Amy"
"Oh, ever so many!I don't know
Let me see yours"
And shower of snowy billets fell
from eight white hands into her lap, while
the four girls eagerly opened and read the
missives upon the table
"We've sold every ticket" cried Lenora
Darcy, the brunette, whose charms bad
set half Claireville in fermeDt.
"Allr' said Amy. "Thc hall will be
packed"
Yes" said pretty Mabel Lee, "and
everybody says the post-office will be the
most attractive feature Of our fair. l am
so glad you suggested it, Amy. And If
it was late, we've got good pile of let
ters written"
"There," said Amy, signing a note
with Gabriella,' in the most miuute
characters, "There's my last sheet of pa
per and my last ounce Of brains. I'm
utterly exhausted"
"But, Amy, you won't feel exhausted
tomorrow" said demure Susy Jones,
"when we hand dear Mr.. Rivers nice
sum of money to help him rebuild the
parsonage"
"That dreadful fire!" said Amy shud-
dering. "Mother says she don't approve
Of fairs generally; but when ones minister
is burned out, and the money won't
come in fast any other way, why she'll
bake cakes and make pincushions with
the best of u.s."
Sand then, you know" said Mabel,
earnestly, there will be no rafting OF
cheating, and the articles are all pretty
and good of their kind"
"Girls, is il not time TO dress" said
Susy, consulting wee watch at her belt,
1--WE open at seven"
"The tables are all ready"
True, but it's after FIVE now, and ev-
cry body wants time at least for one
extra touch to the fnery, when they
must face all Claireville."
"Scatter, then," said Amy laughing
"Run home, all Of you'll Leave the let.
ters here; will take care Of them.
am to be postmistress, you know"
"Not bit Of it," said Leonora. "You
are only to sit in the background aud di,
rect the envelopes, which / will deliver tc
anxious epquirers."