The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1869-11-25
BY MARY A. DENNIsoN.


g Nelly Blossom-a pretty name, is 1t not?
sat in her dressing room laughing as hard
as she could laugh. What could it be for. am
sure nobody could tel, for she was alone neither
reading, singing, or talking to herself. She
had been occupied in combing her beautiful
hair, and this was the situation in which she
sat. A brush in one hand, great mass Of
silky curls in the other, her voice ringing out
in succession of good hearty cha, has"
"What is the matter, NelIy?" asked her
mother, standing smiling at the door.
"Oh! was thinking of something funny ?"
cried Nelly, springing to her feet, and plying
the brush ''never mind, mother, I've got a
plan in my head, and if decide upon put
ting it into execution, I'll tell you what it is !"
At breakfast pretty Nelly was all smiles
"Shall you go out shopping to-day?" ask
ed her mother, glancing cautiously towards
her daughter. 3 SIS
On this Nelly began to laugh again then
restraining herself on catching her fathers
eye, she answered, Il haven't quite made up
my mind-perhaps l may"
"Ah contriying already how to make
way with that fifty dollars Uncle Joe sent you
yesterday! Well, Nelly, make good use. Of
it; there's many poor man would feel like
prince these hard times, with fifty dollars
in his hand"
"I'll try to sir" replied Nelly, her laugh
ing eyes growing more quiet in their express
sion
"Who did you see last night, Nelly 2" ask
ed Mrs. Blossom, lounging over tea after the
paterfamiiias had gone out.
Henry Lloyd and Charles Sheldon, as usu-
al" replied Nelly, archly.
"Were they both attentive 2"
GAS two shadows" replied Nelly. 'Henry
never looked more noble in his life"
stLast time it was Charles" said Mrs. Bios
Nelly blushed. II know" she said;
| find it dificnlt to choose between them, con
fess" %'a
Henry is the handsomest and the richest
of the firm" said the mother, looking out, as
mothers will do, for the main chance
Il don't know about Henry's being the
handsomest," replied Nelly; '.there is some
thing very superior about Charles Sheldon's
face, but he is very retiring; one has to give
him SO much margin To be sure, Henry is
more dashing, might be called more elegant
and has certainly more brilliant eye and
color. Perhaps he dresses in rather better
taste but although he pleases me more il
company, there is something in Charles Shell
dons quiet way and deep eye that sometimes
| seems more attractive. 5.
Both of them appear 10 IaSxd sterling
qualities" said Mrs. Blossom
Eyes, they appear to have but I'm going
to test them to day" 49, & "a
s'What do you mean, Nelly ?"
| 90! that's what I was laughing at uE
stairs this morning" replied Nelly,.in mer
ry way. "You see, I've got such capita
| plan and I'm the very one to carry it out,
| think. I shall spend my Fifty dollars on pool
Mills family"
| 'What wild freak now?'' asked the matur
er Blossom Of the two, looking wonderfully
at her daughter. Dear little woman, Nell,
had not much to fear from any interference,
on her part. It was well that the youn:
girl naturally possessed much discretion
good sense and good Judgment, for her mothe
had never imposed any restraint upon her in
clinations. hayward or otherwise,
Z sDon't you think Agnes rather prett,
looking girl, mother?'
5"What, little Agnes, my dressing maid !?
rejoined her mother.
"Not SO very little about my size, l be
: l~va y said Nelly.