Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-05-20
Aunt Mamie.
How She cameto Marry Mr.. Marshall


al How did you come to marry Dir. Marshall
Aunt Nannie?"
Mrs. Mamie Marshall wasn't my aunt, but
| had called her so for years, for she was the
kindest and truest friend had ever had. She
sat silent, knitting busily and smiling little,
before she answered me.
at all came of shaking crum-cloth, Aunt
Mamie. What, did you trip him up in its
folds, and bring him down on his knees to
your"
"No; I'll tell you. When | was four years
old nv mother died didn't know whether
children of that tender age remembered their
mother as l remembered mine or not; but
when | was so little that sat in high chair
at the table, would watch the chairs filling
around it with the persistent hope that my
mother would come to sit by me; and did
not relinquish this hope after was old enough
to comprehend death, but clung to it, praying
Christ to work miracle, as in the old Bible
times, and let my dear mother appear to my
longing sight.
Never was there more anec,ionate or
irimaginative child, and my youth was dreary
time. Ny grandmother, who had charge OF
me, meant to do her duty by me, and in the
usual acceptance of the term, she did it. l
was fed and clothed, and she taught we as well
as her limited means would allow. But she
never manifested any affection for me. She
was one of those people who think kisses and
caresses foolishness, and though | can look
back now and remember proofs of secret
tenderness, she never kissed or caressed me
when l was a child.
81 grew up starved for love. After l was
fourteen years old / grew to look for it from
whence all girls look for it-from lover.
read romances, built air castles-yet so well
had been trained in practical ways and habits
that no one dreamed of the turn my mind was
taking. Ny fondest dream was of the time
when martial figure, with bold, bright eyes
and gay apparel, should, seated on milk
white charger, appear before me as spun in
the porch, or gathered berries in the field, and
folding me to his heart with tender and assur-
ins words, leap upon his steed, aud with me
in his arms, fly to some unknown country
where he would make me queen Of bis castle.
never realized, ugly, ignorant child that
was that this was peculiarly absurd as applied
to me, until one day something occurred which
destroyed my beautiful illusion, and made me
wretched.
"Thcre was always several weeks in the fall,
when if the crops were good, was almost in
cessantly employed in gathering berries, which
my grandmother preserved for the winters use.
Ny only companion in this work was my cousin
Stephen, boy two or three years younger than
myself.
Zone day when thus employed, we caught
glimpse of man in regimentals. riding
swiftly through the woods.
80 Who can that be said Stephen.
"'oh ? said /, in delight, perhaps it is my
lover knight coming from the wars to find me.
Let us watch until he comes around the bend
of the road If is he, he will take off his
plumed hat and wave it for me. Then he will
gallop up and lift nc ohis horse and carry me
to Moatcd Castle
"A nice girl you are for knight to run of
with, amt you2 a handsome ady-loyc you'd
make, with your black face and flying hair like
a wild Indians, and mouth all stained up with
berries IIo, hol Wouldn't you look grand
flying away on horse, with your old calico
dress flying, and your shoes falling of, cause
they are so big? III just like to see you"
"My cloud-and was destroyed forever
From that moment knew that was ugly,
uncouth and unattractive, aud my hero lover
never came; ceased to expect him.
81 grew older, was pale, plain, awkwardly
Shy. felt my personal defects to painful
degree, and Stunned what society was at
tainable to me.
"When was eighteen years old received
) an invitation from an aunt who lived in Boston
10 visit her. had never seen her, and she
knew me only by report She wished me 70
come and spend the winter with her. Ny
grandmother was willing that should go, but
we were very poor, aud it required great deal
of economy and management to furnish me
, with wardrobe ft to visit the city with. Al
! last my outfit was completed, however, and
went to Boston.
"The family of my aunt Caroline consisted
Of herself, her daughter July and the orphan
children Of a deceased son. July was just my
age and very pretty. II is very hard thing
to say, but honestly think that my aunt-to
whom my personal appearance had been dc
J scribed-wanted nc to associate with July as
foil 70 her beauty, and to reside IN the fami-
" that | might assist in taking care of the
, children. At any rate, when came, the sin-
+ Gle servant was dismissed.
"The family lived elegantly, but | Soon
found that il was done by the strictest ccono-
my. Ny aunt worked hard and managed
| well. aud no one outside Of the house dreamed
{ that their income was as painfully small as i
, was.
, "July had lover Mr. Marshall was very
handsome and mighty fine, and | do not won
der that he appeared very like god to me
then. He was but recently acquainted will
JuIv whom he went there, but he appeared yer,