The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1867-06-21
The @edfora Gazette,
AN OLD MAIDS STORY.


ing that my days were ended; then
a sweet reminiscence of the past sweeps
over me, and inspires me with rever-
ence. Though / am an old maid, there
are things connected with my life
which afford me pleasure to contem-
plate. -f- ....r...
At the age of eighteen l was left an
orphan. My mother died when l was
quite young; my poor father fingered
a few short years, then, like the fragile
flower, withered and died. Falling
heir to my fathers immense fortune, l
was fattered, courted, and admired, by
people of the world-not for myself a.
lone, but for my wealth. Well, l
knew that if / were destitute of that
which has power to attract thousands,
my friends would be few. / soon be-
came restless, weary, and tired of those
empty batteries.
At length the tortured brain hit up
on a wild scheme, which l determined
to carry out, spite the expectations of
my maid.
Anastase, my waiting maid, had rela-
tives residing in proportionately large
village, some six miles from W,
and there / determined to execute my
project. 1t was radiantly beautiful
morning in the month of May. The
sweet carol of birds, and the delicious
perfume of the flowers, seemed to add
a balm to my aching heart, and revive
my dropping spirit. L was not phil
anthropist; but on that beautiful morn
ing l felt that there were others beside
myself, and that the Creator had not
designed this terrestrial universe for me
alone to enjoy. All now desired was
a true and trusting friend, one whom |
could love, and whose faithfulness the
adversities life could not shake.
My maid and stood upon the portico,
literally surrounded by trunks, boxes
and bundles, impatiently awaiting the
arrival of the rustic, numbering stage
coach. I was completely metamor-
phosed, having substituted the plain,
comely travelling dress for my usually
rich apparel. No jewelry adorned my
person; it was my object to appear as
one in ordinary circumstances. At an
abrupt curve in the road a cloud of dust
revealed to my anxious eyes the wished
for conveyance. With the aid of the
porter and coachman, our trunks, &C.,
were deposited on the top and, with a
brief farewell to those at the house, we
were rolling toward our new home.
This caprice of mine was, indeed, re-
markably novel. 1, the wealthy Anna
D'Haven, daughter and heir of Captain
D'Haven, U. S. N, riding in country
stage coach; destination-an old farm
house, where, in order, to find some
one to love me, independent of gold as
a dowry. / had assumed a fictitious
name and become plain country lass.
What would some of my aristocratic
friends say? First, the old time-worn
barn, then cluster of freshly painted
comfortable cottages revealed our wish
editor destination. 1t was the "dawn OF
new era" ONE.
"Miss Howard, l believe" said a
portly old gentleman, advancing to
where my maid and / stood.
1t was Anastase's uncle. He had
come to meet US, with the wagon.
81 am she," 1 answered, slightly
bowling, and, as | gazed upon his round,
genial face, a feeling of friendship was
awakened in my bosom, which I had
never before experienced.
/ cannot describe my state of fmind as
1 rode through that country village. /
was almost tempted to forego my orig
inal intention. How humiliating it
would be, were it made public, /
thought. My name would be by-word
to gossips. My reverie was brought
to close by the termination of our
journey.
"This, then, is to be my temporary
home," said /, looking at the old, an
tique-looking house looming up from
among large and shady willows.
1 was introduced to. the inmates, and
then Mrs. Williams Ia kind, gentle mat
ron of two score and ten-one whom !
shall always remember with feeling
akin to awe), accompanied me to my
room. After expressing many wishe:
and apologies, she said: i..ts /.
"My dear Anna-for such Ilnust call
you-you must make yourself perfectly
at home. Our mode of living is not
grand, but we will do all in our power
to make you comfortable"
"Thank you," I replied, 81 shall en-
deavor to do so. / am perfectly en-
tranced with your rural home. 1t is SC
different from what pictured it. Ev'
erything is so homelike-so inviting
l had been in my new home two
months-months of bliss to me-and
what changes were wrought in those
two months? / met him-Eugene ST
Clair. Tall, dark and handsome.
fail to describe him. He remains al
incognito to this day. He seemed coo
and distant to all but me. / met him
and loved him-loved him as morta
seldom loves. One night, as we stood
upon the lawn facing the lake, the cres
cent moon shone full upon us, and moth