The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1869-05-26
WORTH HER WEIGHr IN GOLD
A True Tale Of Ten Years Ago.

"Thank Fate shall never be the prey
of a fortune hunter"
As Sally Beauclere uttered the words she
threw herself back on the sofa, and tossed her
handsome head with light laugh.
Your fortune is your face reJoIned her
companion as he gazed admiringly on
| ly on her fine features. Sally opened her
large eyes in astonishment.
"a compliment from YOU, Tom she ex-
| claimed.
The gentleman colored. Il know am not
much given to pretty speeches, but you know
| Sally that | admire you all the same"
To tell the truth, Tom Middleton had for a
| long time loved Miss Beauclere, with all the
| strength of an earnest and constant nature;
| but. he was very diffident: he had shrunk
| from making known his attachment, fearing
Sally's ridicule, though had he been more con-
fident of himself he might have read long ago,
a secret that Sally's eyes took little pains TO
| conceal But Tom never imagined how de-
sirable a fellow he was in himself, and know
| ing that he had no great fortune to bcstow,
| he did not venture to offer his hand to the
daughter of Senator Beauclere, and the reign
ing belle of the city. Sally was one OF a
large family, it is true and portiOnleSs. but
her fathers position, and her own beauty
made Tom agine that she was far removed
from him. Now he only looked hurt when
she thus playfully sneered at his small COM
pliment, and turning away to the window did
not catch the tender look that stole over
Sally's handsome features.
''Well, what is the weather = she asked;
after a moment, as he still stood gazing out
into the night.
"It is beautiful moonlight and think |
had better 60"
go! Oh, Tom Why this is the last time l
shall see you for ever so long
..And will you care ?" he asked, as he came
again to her side.
Sally blushed, "Of course shall care
~-ss5 no, Sally, fs.m57Tsw yOu YrE 5A, Asins to
Washington. You will be belle slere, as
You are everywhere, and you viii 50, . forget
me-"
A:.No, indeed, Ton,7 she r.r.icd ,rI Sly.
among all those strange fees and pc pie
l don't care anything about, [ shall long 10
But mot me. You won't care llnch wheth-
er am among the number or not
.Yes, SHALL"
Tom was a fool where women were con-
cerned or he would have known what those
words in that soft tone meant. As it was, a
wild hope did spriyg up in his heart, but
when he looked aga n at that beautiful wo-
enough for her." he thought: but he plucked
up sufficient courage toput out his hand and
take one of hers.
'You are very kind, Sally" he said. Il
shall come on to Washington, by-and-by, and
then shall know how sincere your words
are"
Sally's cheek burnt; but at that moment
the door opened. Tom dropped her hand as
one of the numerous young Asisters came in
and the golden opportunity passed away, for
they were not alone together again that even
inp II
On thatsvery same night, nearly thou
sand miles away, two young gentlemen were
speaking of this same young lady. They
were travellers, who had accidentally met on
board alsteamer on Lake Erie. They We're
total strangers, and were ignorant of each
others names but had fallen into a chat as
they strOlled on deck, under the rays of the
full moon.
~ never was so far from land before in my
life" said the elder Of the two, a fine looking
man of perhaps thirty-ive.
"Indeed " exclaimed his companion, a hand
some city-bred looking gentleman. ''May
ask where you are from that your sea expe-
rience has been SO limited p
"From the interior of North Carolina"
':Ahw cried the stranger, and his cold fea-
lures Lit up into sudden interest. ''Then per-
haps you know the Beaucleres p
every well, indeed: they are old friends of
mine."
'.And Miss Beauclere, you know her p
Certainly"
81 hear she is very handsome"
eyes, do you know her I"
mo, have merely heard of her; but eA-
pect to meet her in Washington this winter
She Is the oldest daughter, is she not p
"Yesn
And is Senator Beauclere aman Of wealth p
Yes; that is, he has q very fine estate.
Miss sally is tho daughter of the first
martiagr,is she not ~
Eyes, and a noble. girl Why she is worth
half a million in herself alOne,r exclaimed
the North Carolinian enthusiastically.
HIS companion started little at the word,
but changed the conversation to other sub
jectA and before long the two gentlemen
parted for the night, stQa in ignorapee of
each others names. They did not ~ t&gnin,
but IN the morning eelchanged mSfclY 4 dis.
Efaat bow as they III the boat in orposste tfi-
The weeks passed on; and Sally Beauciere
was established with her parents at WillarEs
Hotel in Warrington. As Middleton had
predicted her beauty and talent6<lrew around
her 8 circle of admirers, and before long she
was established.as one of the rcigning bellies
of Washington.
The admiration and adulation which She
received, Sally found more Intoxicating and
delightful than she imagined. 1t was
very pleasant to be the beauty of every bali
roOnl~ and to be constantly surrounded by q
oirCle of adorers. The idea of returning to
tho humalrum life Of home was not always
pleasant to her, and she sometimes felt hall
inclined to think seriously of accepting some
of the brilliant offers that were made to her.
She lad been good deal put out too, with
Tom. fnmaOt speaking before she came away.
Somj be was half inclined to doubt his
love pnd although his earnest eyes
haunt ith their wistful look Of aflec-
ti0n, she more than one serious thought
Of trying to banish his reInembrance, and
marry, as so many others around her did, for
money, rather than for love.
Most prominent among her sworn admirers,
was Mr., Charlton Murray, of New York.
Handsome, distinguia docking, and re-