The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1866-09-06
NY PLAIN LOVER.
ASENGLIsII sroRl

offer of marriage after had lurcd hin
on to a declaration My last yictim'i
name was James Frazer. He was ,
tall, awkward, homely, ungainly man
hut his heart was TRUE as steel. re
spcoted him highly, and felt pained
when | Witnessed his anguish at my
rejection of him. But the fact was,
| had myself fallen in love with Captain
Elliott, who had been unrcmitting h
! his devotion 10 me. Mr. James Fra.
ger warned me against Mr. Elliott, hui
| charged him with jealousy, and took
his warning rs an insult
A few days aftcrward Elliott aud !
were engaged, aud my dream Of ro-
mantle love seemed 70 bo in a fair way
of realization ] had n week of happi-
ness, Many had not SO much in . life
time. Many awake from the bright
short dream "a find themselves in a
lifelong darkness, and bondage from
which there is no escape Thank
God, | was not 20 be So miserable as
they
Ny mother was n widow in gooi cir.
cumstances, but having very bad
health She was also of an easy, list
less, creduous nature hating trouble,
and willing to take things Just rs they
happen TO present themselves She
therefore madcno inquiries about Cap
tain Ellott-hut iondly believed that
masmuch as he was a Captain, he
must necessarily be man of honor
also, especially as he had served in the
Crimca, and in India, and won medals.
His regiment was quartercd in the
neighborhood, and he had the reputa-
ton of being one of the wealthiest, as
he was certainly the handsomcst, OIL
Ger in it. | remember well the day
we became engaged. He was on duty
but had managed to ride over to our
house in his uniform, and while we
were walking into the house he made
the tender avowal referred him to |
''mamma;" he fastened TO hcr-re-
turned in three minutes, and led me in |
TO her presence to receive the assn
rance that the maternal consent had |
been readily and freely given. MY |
dear mother hated trouble, and more
over loved me tenderly, so that she
was well pleased to find husband
himself in form and man
ner apparently so eligible for her be-
loved and only daughter.
Well week passed quite delightful
", rs ] have said; aud at the expira.
lion of this there might have been seen
lgay equestrian party winding through
our old Devonshire woods and quiet
country roads Elliott and ! led the
'avalcadc. ] rode my own beautiful
Jrown Bess Captain Elliott was I
mounted on handsome black horse !
hat had been sent him from London. y
following Us was a beyy of merry girls II
nd their cavaliers and among them o
'as tall, awkward and silent James Il
'razer His presence had married all /,
he pleasure Of my ride, and | was .
lad TO be in advance of them all, that @
might not see him. n
And so we rode on through the Il
GODS, and ! listened well pleased, to
ne low, animated words of the gallant II
,lliott whowishcd himsclfa knight and m
nc faire ladye OF the olden times, that n,
c might go forth to do battle and W
ompel all men TO recognize the claims ri
{ his peerless love, Very eloquently d
G spoke of the inspirations oflovc, Of H.
ne brave deeds and pelilous exploits q
had prompted, wishing again and n,
gain that he might proclaim aud /,
maintain his love before the world. 1t n
leased me TO listen 10 this and believe o
sincere, though ] surely had no wish m
} put my lover TO such test A shot n
lddenly rang through the woods, and
wounded bird darling past, futtered
I'd fell at the feet Of Brown Bcss tc
9TH bound and spring that nearly III
lseated me, she was Off h,
Struggling to regain my seat ] had t.
, power to check her, and even as
le flew, the fear and madness Of the ht
oment grew upon her. ] could only OF
ing breathlessly to name and bride, liz
ID wonder helplessly where this mad OF
Hop was to end She swerYed from wi
passing wagon, and turned into n DIR
TIL that led 90 the river. In the I'M
dden movement the reins had been dc
IN from my hands and l could not up
gain them. i chung TO the name and thu
)sed my eyes that might not behold Sh
g fate that awaited me How sweet no
IS life in those precious moments sh'
1t thought my last. How all its yis
rs, its affections, its last browning wo
'c, rose up before me thought fro
the pang that would rend Elliott's gro
art as hc saw me living mangled and ga2
vi and then the thought would hoo
nc If lie were pursuing and trying fab
save me, even, as he had said, at 'In
risk oflife and limb. / felt a sud To
0 shock, fearful rushing through :
air, and knew no more until days like
erward, / woke TO faint, weak sem sho
nee of life in my chamber at home. tan
never saw Captain Elliott after aoo
rds. The last words ever heard POI
IN his lips were those of knightly cna
z. This last action Of his life in aio
with mine, was TO follow :
The trains Of frightened youths who ma
lie after me, TO contemplate the dis oac
er from afar, and as soon as he saw me-
lifted from the shallow bed Of the spf