Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1866-04-19

Bf ELLA pODNss.

was wrought up TO desperate deed. In token
whereof had equipped myself in full arTnor-
curls, waterfall, rats. white waist. etc. determn
ed!that the sacrifice medtated should be accom-
pliShed in becoming manner.
II gives one a comfortable sort Of feeling after
al. this sense CT self immOation, and as fitted
down stairs parlorward, the rustling of nv stiff
white skirts agreeable sound. Nv looking
glass and were usually on very gucd terms Out
on that evening, felt particularly well pleased
with ~hat had seen over my left shoulder just
be fore left my room.
Yes, would put an end TO it. this wrctched
wandering about ever since could remember
Mamma should have home which she was so
well calculated to adorn, and would have a hus-
band. To be sure did not want one. especially
the one in prospect; but what m,tter, when there
was so much to be considered, if did not have a
lover.
So ] entered the parlor fully prepared to accept
Mr. Clinton's offer.
Nam, was very pretty aid very gentle. She
had been left a widow many years, and my ideas
of a father were rather vague and confused. We
had a small property which enabled us to live ro
specially in places where living was comparative
ly inexpensive; but we frequently changed our
residence, and while was absent n Wait to a
schoolmate, mamma wrote 70 me that she had Ia
ken the pretty cottage TO which was now getting
really attached. / came home to find a little
earthly paradise, IL the midst ofa beautiful coun-
try, where boating, fishing. driving. and every
practicable rural amusement, drew every summer
crowd OF pleasure seekers, giving quite fashion
able tone TO the society. | was in my element,
and enoyed that summer-every hour and minute
OF il.
think certain Frank Gliddon, who was in
seperably connected with moonlight rows the
lake, and bits of poetry. and pressed flowers had
much to do with this. His sisters were "such nice
girls" and they and their mother had called upon
US at once and had shown Us every attention.
But mamma and were quite the bellies OF the
neighborhood in a different way Of course; for
cry one said that mamma was so Dig ifed, ana so
handsome aud Young looking, to have a grown up
daughter; but she was not at all gay, and people
saw at once that they must keep their distance
from her. | was rather harem-scarum concern,
ALWAYS ready for a frolic, and that is why won
dcred that Mr.. Clinton. with his learning e,lc
grand hanghtv air, should have hncied me,
except il was that people usually like their oppo-
sites.
Mr. Clintoh's handsome hOuse--just the kind
had always hankeTed aiter-0rOwn stone, with n
grand entrance and beautiful bay windows, TO
which delicate vines cuhg in graceful sprays, and
which looked out upon exquisitely kept graveled
walks. and thickets of rare shrubbery, velvet
lawn, and glowing masses Of bloom, with carriage
house in the distance pretty enough for small
picturesque family to live i:; and such horses
The very sight ofthose supurb bays, was enough
10 drive one wild with envy-and this beautiful
home had been without mistress .or several
years.
But people were very kind and there was scarce
y All unappropriated fem lie for miles around who
did pity Mr.. Cliuton's loneliness much that
she had done everything but to make him regu
lar offer 1t was the fashion to 60 and see him.
ust as The had been lady-a fashion, how
ever, that mamma and did not follow, because
We uere ladies'.
People often have n perve-se fashion OF going
wherever they not sought, and when re-
turned from ms visi, found Mr.. Clintor, estab-
li.hed as a regular visitor at the cottage, and on
such pleasant aud familiar footing that it was
impossible 10 treat him like stranger
When mamma said. 'this is my daughter, Mr..
Clinton, of whom you have heard me speak" the
gentleman looked at me as though mamma. in my
absence, had turned match maker, and lauced me
up until Mr. Clinton had looked for absolute
piece of perfection. I determined to undcceive
him as soon possible, aud with this view, rat
tied on in my widest manner, haZZirded two or
three startling remarks and conducted myself in
way that richly deserved a severe maternal rep
rimand. But dear ANNA was not given TO any
thing of the kind, and heard her say OH a subse-
quent occasion to MIR. Clinton:
Dear Laura is a little wild. but she really is
good and loveable child"
al think understand Miss Laura thoroughly,'e
spoiled by admiration and hlttery, as is quite nat
ural, but very charming, nevertheless. lt
would be a pleasant task to train such a mind as
hers"
"Indeed"' couM not help exclainng. Things
we're ssng rapidly. and the two conspirators
seemed to have matters all arranged. Ii was no.
agreeable this being disposed of nolens rOlens, |
/ did not want to be "trained." aud every sepa-
rate hair on my wilful head. at ance rose up in
bellion.
Perhaps this is why lent willing ear TO Frank
Gliddon's ridiculous speeches and played the part
| of passenger in his pretty little yacht. while man.
ma and Mr. Clinton talked denurey on shore
| He certainly behaved very we'll, (Mr. Clinton,
mean.) and displayed no feeling OF pique at being
pushed aside for younger adDlirer He came
and talked TO me whenever Frank was out of the
wsy, sensibly and composedly. if he felt ever
much older than /; recommended me books to
read. criticised my drawing and piano paying,
and even presumed TO lecture me for exposing
protected shoulders to the night air.
| supposed this was part OF the training" and
| I felt indescribably amused When matters reach
ed the proper pitch Mr.. Clinton would probably
say in that fautIessy and gentlemanly way OF
his:
"You have been n very good girl. Laura. very
proper and obedient, and shall now reward you
by making YOU my wife, when cIn continue your
education indefinitely"
| There was something very winning though, IN
Mr.. C,in,on's deierential atenicns'to mamma, and
| | could not hut think he displayed considerable
"rtrsterv' in this Get on the mothers side.
L an nId adage often laughed to myself, as
thought :, the two plottsrs little knew what |
knew.
Fra .i,lon now becoming troublesome,
for e..,' scarcely decide whether loved him OF
,,at. and rather dreaded oeiug alone with him
II, listers TOO. becime desperately affrctionate
aIl vas afraid that mtttcrs getting to be
serious.
| At this iuncture, mamma received a letter com
munca,inr the less OF our little all and il became
evident that decided measures must speedily be
taken. Our home would againbc broken up
1.-The vines,'' the scenes of many pleasant hours
pass into other hands; aid sat and pondered ever
WAYS and means. unit. gigantic sc ienie OF self
sacrifice presented itself.
..For myself" said dear mama. with her usual
unself.hness, III donot cares but feel sorry. dear
child. that at soma future day. you will have to &c
rennless TO the man YOU love-"
/ knew she was thinking OF Mr.. Clinton, and
resolved more determne,ilv than at FIRST, to sacri
fec ,nyself became more attentive, and les:
fiehty in my manner toward Mr.. Clinton; and ht
was evidently gratifi,d at the change
Mr.. Clinton was not n bit lover like, however
He lectured and advised rather more than ever
and evidently regarded me from snch an immens'
height, that | wondered how in the world should
get on with him, after had married him. aud wha
he expected me TO call him. Icould almost fancl