The Shasta courier., 1868-07-04
OURIER,
THE PUBLISHERS DAUGHTER.

One hundred years ago, what Mr.. John
Murray, OF Albemarle street, is now to the
city of London, was Mr.. James Haley to the
city OF Dublin. Besides being publisher.
he was the proprietor of a newspaper called
the Dublin Mercury, which possessed such
an influence over the Irish mind as induced
Lord Lownshend to select it as the official
organ of the Irish government.
If Mr.. Haley was happy in the possession
of newspaper which found unlimited pat
ronage amongst the public and the govern
ment, which enrolled amongst its contribu-
tors the names of Marlay, the Dean of Ferns,
and Jephson, the dramatist; which had for
an opponent the Freeman's Journal, direct
ed by the once celebrated DR.. Lucas, he was
yet more happy in the possession of Eliza
beth, his youngest daughter.
This girl was the belle of Dublin. She
had won this enviabe distinction as much
through the accomplishment of her mind as
through the graces of her person. 1t is re-
corded that her form was matchless for its
symmetry and lightness. She had an abun-
dance of that superb hair which is neither
goldern nor auburn, but which seems to par
take of the beauties of both, mingling their
hues like those clouds which we see floating
above and around the setting sun. Her eyes
were dark blue and deep, her features classic
in their precision-in the short, naughty lip,
in the low, straight forehead-the oval, vel
vet-lke cheek and chin. Her hands were
considered to be the smallest and whitest of
any woman's in the three kingdoms. and her
foot was taken by well known bootmaker
of the period as model for the slipper in
the extravaganza of = Cinderella" She
could converse fuently in several foreign
languages, she was a supurb musician, and
her paintings elected the appreciation of the
most critical connoisseurs.
The admiration, however, which she ex-
cited amongst the literary and even aristo
cratic circles in which she moved, did not in
the least affect her. She had great deal too
much sense to be fattered by the almost full
some compliments which the beaus of her ac-
quaintance took every opportunity to whisper
to her. She cared little for society. The
only companionship she appeared to value
was that of her sister Grace. She had been
left motherless at an early age; but in Mr.
Haley she found father, who supplied her
every want engendered by the absence of the
other parent with a tenderness, pride and
care that created love between them that
was little short of alteration.
Mr.. Haley's drawing-room was over the
Mercury's Office. In those days fashion had
not driven trades people into houses away
from their shops; and the place of business
which supplied the publisher with his for
tune, he considered quite good enough to fur
nish him with residence. In addition to
the family circle occupying this drawing
room one mild summers evening, were Ga
briel Guerter, a young Frenchman, and
Charles Talbot.
Talbot was about FIVE and twenty years
old at the period at which my story opens
Without being strikingly handsome man,
he was possessed of pretty much every requi-
site to manly beauty. lofty, white fore
head, large, flashing black eyes, sweet
smile, disclosing the whitest teeth, and form
strong, well-proportioned and supple, made
him rather dangerous foe to the peace of
mind of those yourg ladies whom he took it
in his head to attack.
Gabriel was Grace's recognized lover
They had been engaged some time, and it
was almost impossible to conceive any pas
sion more pure, more generous, more unva
rying than that which subsisted between the
young people.
Elizabeth, though courted, caressed and
fattered on every side, had as yet, no lover
of her own. Many other girl placed in her
position would, doubtless, have fallen in love
pretty well every other day, considering the
amount of attention she got from men for
whom all the Dublin girls were signing
But somehow or other, in proportion as she
was more wooe1, SO she became more exact
ing. Her suitors all wanted some one thing
more than the poor fellows happened to pos,
sess it might be better shaped nose. a
smaller mouth, whittier hands, a quicker wit.
a finer character, more generous heart, ETC.
And so it came to pass that she let them all
60 by her, including even, in her contempt.
viceroy, without feeling her heart in the
slightest degree affected bv the trying ordeal
through which her beauty had compelled her
to pass.
But change was to come over the dream
Of her life. The smile and eyes of Charles
Talbot were at length to achieve a conquest
that 1t was the general opinion amongst the
beaus of Dublin was wholly impracticable
Talbot had brought a letter of recommend
alton from the Earl of Shrewsbury to Mr..
Haley. This, together with specimens Of his
skill as an engraver, had induced the pub
Usher to give him employment. He acauit-
ted himself so admirable, that, in the shortest
time possible, he had won for himself the
regard and confidence of his employer.
1t occurred that during the evening tn
which have referred, Mr.. HALEY had left
the room for n short time The night was
darkening outside. Elizabeth rose. stirred
the fire, and. whilst the ruddy glow lighted
up her lovely features, turned to Talbot and
exclaimed
Everybody hears good deal of the Earl
of Shrewsbury; but I've never met ANYBODY
yet who knows him personally, saving YOUR
self. What kind of looking man is he. Mr..
Talbot? l. be handsome, to begin with 20
3" Tolerably handsome. l don't think him
very good looking, though | believe the re-
verse is the opinion of good many"
is he old?"
Talbot smiled
lone of the most piquant traits in wo-
mans character is curiosity. Let me con
gratulate you upon the possession of it in an
eminent degree"
He showed his white teeth, and flashed
his eye upon her as he spoke. She colored
a little and looked downward at the fire.
"Is be often in love, Alr. Talbot ~ asked
Grace.