Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-02-24
FEBRUARY q 1866 s /.

went to bed, restless and excited, i orealnpg
that was being tried at the Old Bailey Tor
getting money under false pretenses.
The morning of the 30th was raw, cold
and gloomy with that leaden hue in earth
and sky which ,betokens an approaching
heavy fall Of snow. MY ideas mad gloomy
tinge like the weather. thought tony
self what foolish thing was about to do.
Matters had looked different last night.
Then it seemed, like a good joke; now It
looked more serious. However, l, was IN
for it, and when Jack came to escort me to
the railway station was ready for him. ".
'.Phu,", said he, .'you look doleful; You
are surely never going to back out nowy"
mo. Jack" I replied; shut don't half
like the looks, of the thing by daylight"
"Oh, nonsense" said he, sits all right.
just imagine that you are me, and that you
are striving to carry out the ihjunctions Of a
revered parent; noble idea like that Will
keep you up, and carry you on To the path
of duty. Come on, old boy, or we shall be
late" ri. ..r.,..'
We reached the station just in time; Jack
bundled me into carriage, shook my hand
warmly, said, YOU'RE a brick, Phil u and
we we're off. .. ILL. . ., .... .
/ threw myself back in my corner and
began to reflect on my, position. Refiee-
tion was of no use, however, so Iburied
myself in arailway novel which ! had with
me, and which had the usual sedatiye ef-
feet of such literature. and lulled me into
sweet sleep, which lasted, with some inter-
ruptions, till was arou,ed by the guard
demanding the tickets for Shoreham so
collected my wraps, &C. and prepared TO
alight. 5.,.f. ..I.'r ".'... 60 ..,. t.. r
Not many passengers came out at the
junction-two or three elderly females ana
some workingmen. A servant in hand
some livery, who was on the. platform,
singled me outcame up to me and said, Mr..
Grant, sir9" "Yes," said l, though not
without a little compunction. az -..
"Sir Thomas sends his compliments sir"
continued the. servant; "he would have
driven over for you himself, but he had
some business to do. The drag is waiting,
sir; will you show me your luggage?"
Ipointed it out to him, and went to take
my seat in the drag. 1t was a tasteful
equipage, drawn by splendid pair OF greys.
We drove off through the fast gathering
darkness, and after drive of about seven
miles, drew up in front of the hall, which,
as far as could judge in the dim light was
noble mansion. The door was opened,
and was ushered into large, brilliantly
lighted hall, cheerful to behold, and which
dazzled my eyes after the cold dark drive i
had had. "A venerable figure advanced to
meet me, whom at first took to be Sir
Thomas; but no, it was only the butler, a
much greater parsonage evidently in his
estimation than Sir Thomas. ...,...
"Sir Thomas desires to see you, sir, be-
fore dressing for dinner. He Is engaged in
the library just at present. but will be here
you are here. viii you go into the draw
ingroom, sir?" r.. ... .-., .... L..
The door of large, lofty and then but
dimly lighted room, was thrown open. |
was shown in, and again left to my own re-
Elections. These, however, were not of
longe duration; foraspund of merry lauGh-
ter nd a melodious chatter OF teacups start
led me. | looked round to see from whence
this cheerful noise proceeded, and found ii
came from half-open folding doors, at the
further end of the room. | could not resist
moving little, so that might see into this
apartment, which seemed to be little
small bOudOir or ante-drawing-room
Round a table, was a group of several ladies
who were evidently in the enjoyment oi
that mysterious meal known as the o'clock
tea, and which is sacred to female devotees
They were apparentlyin the full enjoyment
of its rites, and were Laughing and talking
with an abandon delightful to witness. AT
first, they all seemed to be talking at once:
and, after listening for little while to the
merry hum of voices, was beginning to be
impatient for Sir Thomas arrival, when the
name of Grant" uttered with emphasis
by one of the fair tea-drinkers, struck on
my ear. i could not but listen. lo rsf'.- y
IL always knew" continued the speaker,
"that papa had some one In view, whom
he intended me to marry, by the cool way
in which he has dismissed so many admirers
of my fortune, WORT say of myself for
know better; and now it turns out that
this Mr.. Grant is the favored person.
know he's horror for remember Fanny
Clinton telling me about him, and she says
lie has not an idea in his head beyond
horses aud d0gsp ai3dJ .lr3l. r0g sJaH
nHThis augurs aEpleasant reception for
me,p thoughtful " -1iu- 70 .rslna .
''Oh, dear whata bore 1t is to be an heir
essl" said the same speaker II wish were
you, Clara and had nothing a year.prfr iH
Whats all very well, Gerty," said an
other voice; shut, if you were me, you'd
wish to be rich heiress, too, sometimes
Nothing year has its disadvantages too,
Ithihk you are very well off. Gerty. r..Qu
A"Oh, but you can be sure, Clara, that you
are loved for yourself alone, and not for
your money" returned Gerty; land Just
think of having ahusband looking out for
one In that unCerenOniOuS way! am de-
termined that L won't marry this Jack
Grant. Papa won't force me to tiff don't
| like IL, and shall take good care that the
| gentleman himself WON'T want it, as / in
| tend to put on what lucy calls my heiress
manners; and If that doesn't do, I'll pass
4 him over to Lucy to flirt with, and she'll
keep him captive till the danger is over
4 He's only to stay a week. I'd far rather
marry his father, the old general; he is one
i of my pet beaux. He is such gentleman
H lylold darling with such cOlrtly manners
He calls ME his 'chere paiGponas,' and all sorts
II of pretty names, and kisses my hand oh, so
\ gracefullyl Every one wonders how he
can have a son so unlike him! How wish
\ 4 could pass off one of you girls as the
heiress; aud we might have done it. too
had itnotbeen for the ball morrow night
Could OunotIhelp melto some plotto tor
ment this poor youth, Clarap llg Mss M
s1ttOh, Gerty; how should9like to see you
fall victim to the charms of this Mr.
Grant,, said Clara;i ',yOu would be well
punished for your sauciness?g ai-.ea %
SHOT much fear of that" replied Miss
GeTty, gaily, with a little laugh of disdain;
"why, he wouldn't think me on an equality
with his oihorse!n But aihappy Thought
strikes9mel Could we not make him believe
that aunt Maria was Miss Ashtony the heir
ess ? & Papa always introduces her as Miss
Ashton, and, asiiL am sure Mr.. Grant is q
stupid, and doesn't know my first name
lhe,ll very likely think soitsNou girls mus
bkeep up the deception tilltOIm0rrowiatAn any
rate.p Here the lady clappeda her hand.
with delight at her dainty little plotof fol
lpoor Mr. Grants discontinued ii YIlln b,
Hate incoming down, y she added ttand aun