Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1868-10-16
Entertainments.
Ten years Of Prudence;
OR MY FIRST LOTE.

NV uncle Oliver took me into his place
An importer Of dry goods uncle Oliver was
when | was twenty one. No one called
Inc Prudent Patterson then. 1t wunlt
have been in sarcasm if they had. for Pru
dence was not II part OF my nature.
was ia,pul-ivc, was romantic. was al
sorts of silly things. and | was very hap
py. have my miniature by me still. tax
en- at that time, Highly imprudent by the
wav. fer a young fellow with my salary tn
nav forty dollars for miniature OF him
self | suppose | was ilattercd, for it was
very handsome. but had apple red check,
and sky blue eyes, and golden brown hair
them knsw We,l, well, well, no mat
ter The red faded IL little in my check,
.. soon as went into Uncle divers cs
tablishnent.
Your great fault, said uncle Oliver to
me- IN his first private lecture, your great
fault, Paul. is inprudence. You act on
an impulse. Never act on impulse al
WAYS take time to think Would have
Iprospered as | have otherwise, No.
Uncle Oliver was the great man Of our
family, listened with reverence. So
was not so iupulsiye. not s" imPrudent,
when five years later. met Jessie Ash
burton. 1t :was holiday for us. and |
had week at Saratoga. She was seven
teen aud was there with her grandfather
tor his health lie came to the springs
not for fashion and boarding with wild
ow, in u pretty cottase. not "A hotel She
and I-Js.sie. | mean-wers the only
people. She was the prettiest creature |
ever saw-Ule's first love always ID, l sup
.h..r ~
black; she had rich brunette skin, and
lips of verlnillon. Oh her dainty waist
aud her tiny hands and feet Oh, her
smile I'm boy again wh'n | think OF
them l fell in love with her aud she
knew it. Ifclt sure that she liked me -
As e parted. il had been the impulsve
creature that | WAS five years before.
should have dropped ON my knees on the
porch in the moonlight and asked her to
decide INV fate The words were on my
lips. had her hand in mine; ! felt 1t
remble,
shall be gone before you arc up t"
morrow, | said. must say goodbye.
now.
She said : Goodbye. Mr.. Patterson.
Iwantrd to kiss her. She did not look
as though she would he very angry; but
my uncie's lectures ON prudeuce had had
their effect
relnquished her hand, and put my
own in my pocket, for safe keeping. Suei,
sweet lips as hers are temptation.
may call when you return, to see il
your grandpa is better! asked.
And then we spoke Of many other
things
As whred city ward next day. |
thought of her constantly. At least she
was very Young. She. l believe, had no
love. We could wait. could until cir
cums,ances warranted an offer Of heart
and hand.
But went to see her as soon as the par
lor shutters at her grandfather Were
opened, aud she received me with that
pretty smile of hers VIII .ch was one of her
greatest charms.
In a month felt quite sure that should
never be happy without her. and that with
her | should be the happlest fellow in the
world.
Prudence could not quite obtain mas
terry.
woed her with my eyes and voice, |
know. L saw HeI COlOT CHduseu ~ NY
coming. knew she liked my society
At Christmas time, when the old fashion
ed hospitality of the home gatherd troops
of friends together beneath its roof, was
there also.
She cared for none of her handsome
cousins-for none there-as she cared for
me.
How happy that made me. That Chris
mas night felt that must tell her cO.-
had enough to live on. should be rich
enc day. impulse became my master.
l hurried through the rooms looking for
her. ! found her playing chess with
cousin-who had the impudence to look
tenderly at her Only a cousin by courte-
sy, too. His mother had married some
one whose first wife was an actual cousin.
watched the game through, then of
fered my arm.
Youth sing for mel | asked.
She-smil~d. led her to the piano.
1t was deserted just then.
Before you sing have something's very
particular to say, said.