Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-05-20


ira attention was given to the house and din
ner. Ny aunt had been very wealthy for
short time when first married, and from her
husbands failure she had saved a few things
which gave the house an air Of eansand style
some articles of fine table silver and sons
handsome oil paintings remember.
"With my assistance she served the dinner
herself. and managed to he richly dressed to
appear at the table. She looked cool and
stately; but |, who had fingered until the last
moment in the kitchen, making gravies and
serving up vegetables, was so tired | could
hardly speak. never did talk much, though.
so it was not noticed, apparently. Mr.. Mar
shall conversed of books, pictures and music.
all of which Julia was acqusinted with. and
it was agreeable to listen to them | was sor-
ry when the meal was finished.
Mr.. Marshall turned TO look at the pictures
on the wall when be arose. and, after few
moments, my aunt commenced clearing the
table. The dishes were put through slide
in the cupboard into the kitchen. / helped
her to do this. Julia stood looking out Of tho
window.
"Whcn the table was cleared Of its dishes
my aunt went out. sat down and took up
my sewing, thinking that my aunt would DO
back in moment to finish clearing the table.
and that should be allowed, during tho alter
noon, the place of guest. Mr.. Marshall spoke
to me and asked me to play Backgammon
1t was the only game Of pleasure that ! knew,
and was delighted at the thought. put
down my sewing, and he brought tho board
and arranged the game. Julia sat in corner
of the sofa with some embroidery. Just as wo
were ready to play, I looked up and saw that
the table still stood spread with its linen cloth
and the crumb cloth had not been taken up.
Julia glanced at it at the same moment, and
then turned sercnely back to her embroidery.
put down the dice box timdly.
"'Excuse me, said !, aunt is not coming
back, and the table must be put in its place
al took of the cover and carried it into tho
kitchen, then came back, put dswn the leaves
of the old-fashioned table, and was going to
put it up at the side Of the room alone, when
Mr. Marshall sprang and did it for me.
"Then took up the crumb cloth, carriedit
out and shook it, and put it in its place in the
hall closet and all tho time be stood and
watched Inc, as if in surprise. When ] was
ready to sit down he played very badly Ho
seemed to be absent-minded.
lie came to the house two or three times
after that, but never to spend an evening alono
with Julia. Pretty soon he did not come at
all, and Julia used to cry and pout and DO SO
cross that she made the whole family uncom-
Portable.
"one day he drove up to the door in
splendid sleigh, for it was winter time and tho
sleighing was very good. Julia was sitting
at the diniDg-room fire.
There, said she, jumping up, " hcscome
to take me to drive Now, | won't 90 step
unless he asks my pardon for staying away 80
longw
Her mother showed him into the parlor,
ard be asked for me. went in wonder. lie
asked me to 60 to ride as coolly as il had
been in the habit Of driving with him all tho
days of my life, and there was something in
his manner that would not let me refuse.
went and he asked me 10 marry him. waited
three years for him, for be was not settled in
business then-thcn we were married, and
have been happy every day Of my lic since.
Zone day lic told lie why he bad not mar
ried Julia.
81 was pleased with her." said he, "but
when saw her let you, guest, leave your
employment with gentleman, to do her mo-
TIERS work, while she sat doing nothing but
some embroidery, knew she was indolent and
selfish, and she never looked pretty TO mo after
that moment If it had not been for that
crumb cloth, Mamie, | should probably have
married her, and been as wrctchcd as am
now satisfied