The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-02-22

Five years before-it did not seem long
i had seen Hugh Cheston, and fer the
only time in my life. 1t was on the
night of party given at my fathers
house, in homer of my sister Gerdrude's
eighteenth birthday. Little more than
TIVE years before I had lost my dear
mother, aud the idea of a crowd of gay
people thronging the room where she
rested in her coffin on that last sad dav fill
ed my heart with grief and indignation.
But no one took any notice of me. L
knelt there by the window Of my little
room, which was in the wing of the house
and overlooked the terrace Of the main
building-ny face vet with tears, aud
the most wretcbed feeling | had ever felt
lingering around me. Suddenly light
from the ballroom streamed out broadly
upon the darkness, as some one drew the
wide drapery aside, aud an instant after
ward two persous stepped out UPON the
terrace. 1t was my sister Gertrude and
a gentleman. | could hear their words
plainly as they passed backwards and
forwards. They talked gaily and carelessly
about great many things, some of whicI
| could understand, and others | could
not. At last l was startled by the words
of my sisters companion.
"What is that 2" he said.
"What 2" said my sister. "What do
you mean, Mr. Cheston ?"
/ ~ thought 1 caught glimpse of
child's face at that window" replied the
gentleman. "And if am not mistaken it
was wet with tears"
drew back quietly with a beating
heart, but | heard my sister say, "Oh,
tbs Matte, my little sister, suppose
The child is averse to our giving this
party to night, and declares that We are
all heartless and forgetful of my dear
mother. Of course, as you are aware, the
idea is very absurd. but no Que could
make her believe it, and she has shut
herself up and cried all day 2"
Gertrude had told the truth. If Der
words had called forth a smile from her
companion, | should have hated him for
ever but peeping carefully from behind
the curtain | saw his face as he passed the
lighted windows, and it was as grave aud
gentle as I could hare wished. He made
Gertrude no reply.
Afew moments afterwards they stepped
through the window into the room again
Leaning back into my old place | dropped
my head into my hands and fell to think
ing, but not of my troubles Suddenly |
was startled by hearing my name called
After a moments bewildered hesitation I
leaned forward and looked out Mr. Ches.
ton was standing alone upon the terrace.
won't you come down moment 2" he
said smiling at M frightened face. ''l
want to talk with you"
Springing VI, I left my room and tripping
lightly down the stairs, stepped through
the hall door upon the terrace, and stood
before him with beating heart
He took my hand and STOPPING down he
looked kindly into my face,
"W hat have you been crying for % he
said, gently.
"You know" I replied, laconicaly. f:
$50 L do, little Matte, be said smil-
iugly, "and | called you down because |
tell you that | don't think it foolish at
all, as the others do, and I'm very sorry
for you"
| allowed him to kiss me, which was
liberty | should have Indignantly resented
uEder any other circumstances.
SIN few months | am going away,
and shall be gone several years" he said,
after pause, during which be looked
keenly but kindly into my downcast face.
when | come back you will be al
young lady, Matte"
Il know it, saidI ''Aad I am sorry
for it"
"For what?" he asked.
"They are so FOOLISH" | said "They |
talk about nothing else but dress, and
gentlemen, ,and parties, and are always the
crossest people in the world to me"
The idea that Mr. Cheston was laugh
ing at me flashed in my mind as l finished
speaking but glancing up quickly in his
face. saw it was unusually grave
"Your opinion of your sex is no. very
fattering one, however truthful it may be, "
he said "Do you believe all young ladies
are ike these, whom you see every day 7"
II don't know" | said.
"Do you think it necessary that they
should be 2" he asked.
"No, SIR" 1 said, 'for I don't think my
mother was such young lady"
Don't you think that you can grow up
to be sensible, useful woman, if you
were to try ?" he asked.
"Yes, SIR" | said.
"Will you try p be asked.
II will,' was my earnest reply.
"And | hope you may succeed, my dear
Matte, both for your sake and my own"