Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1866-07-07
TALES & SKETCHES.
WORTH HER WEIGHT IN
GOLD.
A True Tale of Ten Years Ago.

'Thank fate! I shall never be the prey of
a fortune hunter !"
AS Sally Beauclerc uttered the words she
threw herself back upon the sofa, and tossed
her handsome head with light laugh.
"Your fortune is your face" rejoined her
companion, as he gazed admiringly on her
fine features. Sally opened her large eyes
in astonishment.
"a compliment from you Tom Z" she ex-
claimed.
The gentlemen colored. 81 know I am
not much given to pretty speeches. but yOu
know, Sally, that admire you all the same"
To tell the truth Tom Middleton had for
long time loved Miss Bcauclerc, with all
the strength of an earnest and constant ma
ture; but he was very diffident; he had
shrunk from making known his attachment,
fearing Sally's ridicule, though had he been
more confident of himself he might have
read long ago a secret that Sally's eyes took
little pains to conceal. But Tom never ina
gineG how desirable fellow he was in him
SELF and, knowing that he had no great for
tune to bestow, ne did not venture to offer
his hand to The daughter of Senator Beau
cerc and the reigning belle of the CITY,
Sally was one of large family, it is true
and portionless, but her fathers position
and her own beauty made Tom imagine her
to be far removed from him. Now he only
looked hurt when she thus playfully sneered
at his small compliment, and, turning away
to the window, dio not catch the tender
look that stole over Sally's handsome fea-
lures.
"Well, what is the weather2" she asked,
after moment as he still stood gazing out
into the night.
SIT is beautiful moonlight, and think I
had better CO."
"Go Oh, no, Tom! Why this is the last
time shall see you for ever so long"
sand will you carel" he asked, as he came
again TO her side.
Sally blushed. "Of course I shall care,
Tom"
mo, Sally, tomorrow you are going to
Washington. You will be belle there, as
you are everything, and you will soon for
get me-"
"No, indeed, Toni" she replied, earnest,
ly. "Among all those strange faces, and
people don't care anything about, | shall
long to see my old friends"
But not me. You won't care much
whether am among the number or not.
"Yes, l shall"
Tom was fool where women was con-
cerned, or he would have known what those
words in that soft, low tone, meant. AS it
was, a wild hope did spring up in his heart
but when he looked again at that beautiful
woman it died away. II AN not brilliant
enough for her." he thought but he plucked
up sufficient courage to put out his hand
and take one of hers.
"You are very kind, Sally he said. 81
shall come on to Washington by and by
and then | shall know how sincere youl
words are"
"Sally's cheeks burnt; but at that no
ment the door opened. Tom dropped hel
hand, as one of the numerous younger sis
ters came in, and the golden opportunit.
passed away, for they were not alone togeth
er again that evening.
On that very night, nearly thousand
miles away, two gentlemen were speaking o
this same young lady. They were travellers
who had accidently net on hoard a steame
on Lake Erie. They were total strangers
and were ignorant even of each other
names, but had fallen into a chat as the.
strolled on deck, under the rays of the full
moon.
II never was so far from land before il
my life," said the elder of the two, fin
looking man of perhaps thirty-hve.
"Indeed y exclaimed his companion,
nanusOme, Clty-Dreu loohinB ScutiSman
"May ask where you are from that you
sea experience has been so limited 2"
"From the interior of North Carolina"
"Ah!n cried the stranger, and his col,
features lit up into sudden interest Then
perhaps, you know the Beauclercs Z"
"Very well indeed, they are old friend
of NINE"
Sand Miss Beaucerc, you know herf"
Certainly"
81 hear she is very handsome"
"Yes do you know her 2"
"No, have merely heard of her; but
expect to meet her in Washington this wiz
ter. She is the Oldest daughter is she mott
"Yes."
> sand is Senator Beauclerc man {
wealth |"
"Yes; that is he has very fine estate"
"Miss Sally is the daughter of the fri
marriage, is she nota"
"Yes, and q noble girl. Why, she
worth half million in herself alone" e.
claimed the North Carolinian, enthusiastica
ly.
His companion started little at the wor
but changed the conversation to other su
jscts and before very long the two gent
!. men parted for the night, still in iguorant
% of each Others names. They did not me
J. again, but In the moning exchanged mere
o distant bow a. they left the boat in opp
n posite directions.
6 The weeks passed on, and Sally Beaucle
: was established with her parents at w
D lisrd's Hotel, In Washington. As Middlet
haA nysdtcfad her heautv and taiepts DIRE