Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1869-05-05
Selected AlisteIlanu,
HOW AUNT MAMIE CAME TO MARRY
MIR. MARSHALL.

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.
"It all came of shaking q crumb-cloth,
aunt Mamie What, did you trip him up
in its folds and bring him down on his
knees to youp"
7 'No: III tell you. When l was four
years old my mother died. l don't know
whether children of that tenderage remem-
Der their mother as / remembered mine or
not; but when was so little that sat in q
high chair at the table, would watch the
chairs filing up around it with the persis-
tent hope that my mother would come to
sit bv me; and did not relinquish this
hope after was old enough to compre-
hend death, but clung to it, praying Christ
to work miracle, as in the old Bible times,
and let my dear mother appear to my long
ing sight. ~
1'Never was there a more affectionate or
imaginative child, and my youth was a
dreary time. My grandmother, who had
charge of me, meant to do her duty by me-
and, in the usual acceptance of the term,
she did it. Twas fed and clothed, and she
taught me as well as her limited means
would allow. But she never manifested
any affection for me. She was one of those
kind of 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 was child
at 80 fnr I Nua
fourteen years old grew to look for it
from whence all girls look for it-from
lover. Tread romances, built air castles
yet so we'll had been trained in practi.
cal ways and habits that no one dreamed of
the turn my mind was taking. My fondest
dream was of the time when martial
figure, with bold, bright eyes, and gay ap-
parel should, seated on a milk-white
charger, appear before me as 1 spun in the
porch, or gathered berries in the field, and
folding me to his heart with tender and as
suring words, leap upon his steed, and
with me in his arms, fly to some unknown
country where he would make me queen
of his castle. never realized, ugly, ig-
norant child that was, that this was pc
culiarly absurd as applied to me, until one
day something occurred which destroyed
my beautiful illusion, and made me
wretched
"There was Away several weeks in the
fall, when, if the crops were good, was
almost necessarily employed in gathering
berries which my grandmother preserved
for winters use. My 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 a man in regimentals
riding swiftly through the woods.
"Who can that be 2" said Stephen.
"Oh y 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 it ia he
he will take off his plumed hat and wave it
for me- Then he will gallop up and lift
me to his horse and carry me to Moated
Castle"
"a nice girl you are, for knight to run
off with, amt your A handsome lady love
you'd make, with your black face and fly
ing hair like wild Indians, andmouth oil
stained up with berries Ho, no Wouldn't
you look grand flying away on horse, with
your old calico dress flying, and your shoes
falling off, cause there so big2 Pdjustlike
TO see you"
my cloud-and was destroyed forever
From that moment knew that was ugly
uncouth and unattactive, and my hero
lover never came; ceased to expect him.
II grew older, was pale, plain, awkard-
ly shy. felt my personal defects to a
painful degree, and summed what society
was attainable to me.
"When was eighteen years old re-
ceived an invitation from an aunt who lived
in Boston to visit her. l had not seen her.
and she knew me only by report. She
wished me TO come and spend the winter
with her
"My grandmother was willing that l
should go, but we we're very poor, and it
required great deal Of economy and man
agement to furnish me with wardrobe fit
TO visit the city with. At last my outfit
was completed, however, and l went to
Boston.
1.-THE family of my aunt Caroline con-
sisted Of herself, her daughter Julia and
the orphan child of q deceased son. Julia
was just my age, and very pretty. 1t is a
very hard thing TO say, but | honestly
think that my aunt-to whom my personal
appearance had been described, wanted me
ty, and to reside in the family that I might
assist in taking care of the children. At
any rate, when came, the single servant
was dismissed.
1.-THE family lived elegantly, but soon
found that it was done by the strictest
economy My aunt worked hard and man.
aged well, and no one outside OF the house
dreamed that their income was as painfully
small as it was.
"Julia had lover. Mr. Marshall was
very handsome and mighty fine, and do
not wonder that he appeared very like O
god to me, then. He was but recently ac-
quainted with Julia when Invent there, but
he appeared very much in love with her. /
used to help her dress upon the evenings on
which he came, and after she had gone
down, looking like an angel, used to shed
O few quiet tears of sorrow and loneliness,
as stood and listened 10 their happy chat
and gay laughter ringing from the room
below. was very sure that never could
be pretty, and Ithoughtnobody would ever
love me-
zone day Mr.. Marshall came to dine
Extra attention was given to the house and
dinner. My aunt had been very wealthy
iOi bhoiI Jllho WHeu HTbJ InhrTleu, anu
from her husbands failure she had saved q
few things which gave the house an air of
means and style-some articles offne table
silver and some handsome oil paintings |
remember. -48.i q. 4 -
with my assistance she served the din
ner herself, and managed to be richly
dressed to appear OF the table. She looked
cool nnd stately; but !, who had fingered
until the last moment iu the kitchen, MAX
ing gravies and serving up vegetables, was
50 tired could hardly speak. I never did
talk much though, 80 il was not noticed,
apparently. Mr.. Marshall conversed Of
books, pictures and music, all Of which
Julia was acquainted with, and it was
agreeable TO listen 10 them. I was sorry
when the meal was finished.
'Mr. Marshall turned to look at the pic