Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-03-29
ONLY A COUNTRY GIRL.

But Fred, suppose her intelligent moral full
OF natural poetry, tender hearted, graceful, I'M
spoiled by admiration, a guileless simple loving
creature
Oh" said Fred, laughingly, choice collection
of virtue and grace. Country beauties are always
sweet and so are country cows No. tell you, if
in the world, still if unskilled in music and lit
erature, with no soul above churns and knitting
needles, would not marry her for fortune"
Ha ha !" laughed Helen Irving, but it was
very planissimo laugh, way down in the very
corner of her heart. Hidden by the trunk of q
large tree, she sat reading within few feet of the
egOtist
In anothermoment the young lady came in sight
Ereds face Grim: Oned, and he whispered in visi-
ble trepidatiOn
"Do You think she heard me?"
No" rejOined the other audibly-she shows
no resentment, she has not even looked up from
her book, you safe; she could not have heard
you, but what angel she is.
Yes, Helen angel as far as outward bean
ty might merit the enconium. She sat half re-
Ginning on rustic seat striving to smooth out the
dlmples IN her checks as she laid her book aside
and began to twine finished wreath of wild
roses.
Leaning on one white arm the gnarled white
oak tree back ground, flowers strewed around
her, peeping from her white dress, she sat quite
ut her ease, apparently unconscious that two hand
some young gentlemen were SO near her.
/ Approaching with a low bow, upon which his
mirror set the seal of faultess elegance Freder-
i"k Lane took the liberty of asking if the Young
Iaov would inform him where Mr.. Irving lived.
/ With an innocent smile the beauty looked up.
+ ''Mr. Irving, the only one living in the village
is my father, said she, rising in a graceful and
charming manner. 1.-The large house OH high
ground, half hidden 10y trees and thick shubbery,
that's where we live. / believe it academy
once, that's sort of select school, isn't it ?' with
the most natural simplicity turning to Fred.
He replied with another very graceful bow
Tell your father" said he, ''that I shall do
myself the honor to call upon him tomorrow
IIDI al, L
service
''Yes, sir, will tell him for you" said Helen,
tucking her sleeve around her pretty arln and
making a rather formal courtesy. Then catching
up her books and gathering the scattered flowers,
she hurried home.
''Now, father, mother, aunt and sis" exclaimed
the merry girl bounding into the room where the
family We're ut supper, $50 sure you and live,
that Mr. Lane you talk much about, is in the
village. He will be here to O-morrOw-thc first speci-
men of a city beau, (as of course he WILL all SEN
tment, refinement, faultless III kids and spotess
i'll dickcy, important and selflssIred of that
kind can possibly be- Promise all of you
that you'll not lisp one word about music, reading
and writing III his presence, because have plan.
Father will not, [ know, but if you, sis, will keep
quiet and ask no questions, [ will give you that
work box you have coveted SO long
'Helen, you are not quite respectful, " said her
father
s'Forgive me, dear father" and her arms were
around his neck. always mean well, but am
ded, kissing him lovingly on the temple.
Come, sis, what say you ?'
''Why, that condition, I'll be as still as a
mouse but what's your reason ?'
''Ah that's my own business said Helen,
dancing out of the room.
Helen sat at an open window through which
rose bushes thrust their blushng buds, making
both Il sweet shade and fragrance. The canary, |
overhead, burst forth every moment in wild snatch
Of glorious music Helen was at work on long
blue stockings, nearly finished, and her fingers
flew like birds
You knit most admirably Are you fond of
it ?'
Yes, quite, like it better than any thing else
that is, [ mean, I churn we'll
And do you read much ?" Fred's glance had
travelled from the corners of his eyes to every Ia
ble shelf and corner, in search of some books
papers, but not page nor leaf, yellow rare !
repaid his search.
''Oh, yes," said Helen, with a sanctiied air.
''What books permit me to ask.
4 read the Bible good DEAL" she said grave
els that all ?"
''All, of course not and what do we not find in
the Bible history, poetry eloquence, romance |
the most thrilling pathos-blIshing, and recol
lecting herself she added with manner child |
ish it before had been digniied, for the other
books, let me see, I've got in my hbrary-there s
the primer, counting on her hngerS,) Second |
Glass Reader, Robinson Crusoe, Nursery Tales !
Fairy Stories, two or three elements of something |
Biography of some persons or other, Mothers |
Magazine, and King William Ill There, isn't
that good assortment ?"
Fred smiled.
"sPerhaps [ don't know as much as those who
have went to school more" she added, as if disap
pointed at the mute rejOinder, g but in making |
bread and churnlng butter, and keeping house,
am not to be OutdOne."
The young man felt more in pity than III love, !
but his visits did not always result He began
to feel magnetic attl action, and he main attrlb
uted to Helens beauty; but the truth is her sweet
ness and artlessness of character engaging man
ner and disposition, quite the city bred aris-
tOcrat Fred. Lane. There was freshness about
everything she said or did. She perpleXed as we'll
as delighted him.
Often as he was wondering how some hOmely |
expression would be received in good society,
beautiful sentiment would suddenly drop like |
pearl from her lips, more remarkable for original
ity than briliancy.
eff should fall into the snare,' thought he |
'EI can educate her; it will be worth trying
1t was useless to combat his passion; SO at last |
he fell at Helens feet, fguratlvely speaking, anG
confessed his love for her
g care not, Helen, only be mine, was his ina
vailable answer to her exclamation of unworthi- |
ness, How she would appear in society: :
They were married, had returned from their
wedding tour, and yet, at the expiration of their
honeymoon, Fred. more in love than ever. -
Al grand entertainment, given by the relatives
of the bridegroom Helen looked more beautiful !
Her husband did not insist that she should depart
from simplicity and indeed, without jewels,
laces with that fresh white robe, simple sash of |
blue and ornaments of fair moss rose, she was by |
far the most lovely creature in the room.
AS she entered the great saloon, blazing with
light, her heart failed her.
7 dearly - she ask ed herself !