The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-06-17

'IiOW is this :: SAID ne, playfully-
"what ails my kitty? Amt her dear lit
tie paws clean or has she some long,
sharp nails that ought not to see ?''
Kitty laughed till she cried, and then
told him that her hands were So homely
that size couldn't bear to have him look at
them.
IF they were only beautiful, like Kate
Palmer,s S" said she wiping away her tears
"Kitty, sit down here-I've something
to tell you," said he, clasping her two
hands in one of his, and throwing his arm
around her. II once thought Kate Pal
mer the loveliest girl lad ever seen. a
great many other fellows thought the
same, and l guess they all came to the
conclusion that did, eventually. Every
expression of her face, every word of ller
lips carried the conviction to my mind
that she was as lovely as she looked. But
lips lie-so do faces! l didn't know it
then, and while l admired her form and
features, and voice and manner | admired
her character, equally. have never seen
anything, in art or nature, to compare
with her hands; and Kitty-you don't
care now, do you?- wanted to put two
rings on her beautiful fingers. Going
down town one winter morning, | consid-
cred what sort of ring the first should be,
and concluded that diamond-a solitaire,
like your engagement ring, kitty-would
best suit her style, ard probably her taste.
Thus rejecting, passed the house, and
saw her sitting at the window, one beau
tiful hand up, so; as if waiting for my
gift.
"'Why not now?' said I, to myself, and
turning, 1 went up, and rang the bell.
s'Tbe door was opened by pale, toll
worn, grey haired woman, who had always
attended the door when [ had been there
She said:
"'My daughter, sir? she is in the par
lor.'
esI looked at the mother. Poor soul
Her calico dress was old and faded; hel
apron soiled; her sleeves were rolled up
and she wore no collar; her hair was dis
arranged, and her hands!- II don't know
what they were like-worse than any ser.
wants. She opened the parlor door and
said:
"sDauyhter, gentleman to see you,
and went away.
81 mentally contrasted mother and child.
Katc's snowy cuffs and collar, and dainty
handkerchief, and bright dress; her Slip
pered feet and beautiful hands! They
were all contemplate sham, and stamped
her as vain, proud, wicked woman.
would sooner have drowned than married
that girl! 1 despised her. 1 despised
myself for having fancied her. 1t was
with difficulty that could treat her re-
spectfully, and l could hardly stay as long
as civility required. After that, when
met pretty, engaging girl, my first
thought was: sHow does she treat her
mother p
81 found in you, my Kitty, one who was
the sunshine Of home; the helper of the
needy; the kind companion Of brother and
sister; the selfsacriticing, devoted daugh
ter. I know what it was, my darling, that
darkened and hardened these dear hands
works of love; every home service; the
faithful care that would not let mother
bear 'the burden and heat of the day.
Bless you for hands like these, Kitty II
you don't admire them, remember that
they are mine l will not have you deprc'
ciatc my property, and run down my
treasures
"Meanwllile, wear this, and let it prove
that love these dear hands, and the gen
tie heart that prompts them to works Of
love-"
So saying, Horace slipped on her finger
and exquisite ring adorned with a pearl,
encircled with diamonds