The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-08-18
RACIIEL'S STORY.
BY ELLEN WHEELER.

Ny father came into the parlor where
Madge and | were, evidently with some
thing on his mind
But | must make a new beginning
and tell you something about myself
l was Rachel Mills, daughter OF
Squire Mills, who was THE man of the
neighborhood in which we resided
We lived out West, and father owned
the largest farm and best house, al
though it was built of logs, for miles
around. l was very homely girl and
| knew it. How could l help knowing
it, with my mirror and three pretty sis
tiers to tell me of it every day..
First, there was Mary, the eldest
she was twenty three when my story
opens. Tall, finely built, with great
large black eyes, and raven braids
She moved like queen, and was
naughty and cold toward her own sex,
but wonderfully ''sweet'' to the mascu-
lines. Then there was Dora, black
haired and brown eyed, petite, and pr
qudnte and a finished coquctte. l came
next, with hair Of no particular color,
eyes of no particular expression, pale
and plain, and nobody. Julia was
the youngest, and the pet. And, as a
consequence selfish and overbearing.-
She was perfect blonde, tail aud slen-
der with blue eyes, and a sallow tint
in her complexion, to correspond with
her hair.
She was SO pretty that / used to
wonder why could not be youngest,
and be petted and loved-as the young
est always is-pretty or plain. 1t
would have been such comfort to me,
and Julia would have been beloved
anyway.
/ do not think my sisters or parents
meant to be neglectful or selfish. But
it was a household where no true love
or affection existed. My mother was
an invalid, and had little thought be
You'd herself. My father was wrapped
up in business, and loved his children
as much as he had time to, but lament
ed my plain face.
Mary and Dora had no affection for
each other, and so could not be ex-
pected to have any for me. Alas THAT
it is SO often the case, that sisters are
unloving and unfeeling to one another.
Julia was spiteful and selfish. 1t is
the truth, and l must say it. What in
the others was thoughtlessness, in her
was downright selfishness. Oh, how I
craved for just one little crumb of love!
But, though l did everything in my
power to please my sisters, though I
bore everything, hoping for some tri-
butte of affection, it never came.
Do not think want to make myself
out an angel far from it. / was very
mortal and with all a mortal's failings.
But | had no pretty face to think
about, and SO ] thought more about
others, and was not quite as selfish as
my sisters. And as l was so very
plain, could not love myself much,
and that was why ] longed for love
from others. But as was saying, my
father came into the parlor with some
thing on his mind. He cleared his
throat several times, and sat down by
my side.
'.Rachel,7 he said presently, 81 saw
John AlSerson, this afternoon"
"Ahm said I, ''did your
This was encouraging, but he con-
tinued:
"Yt.s; and he made an offer for your
hand.' s ~
Julia dropped her crochet and sprang
to her feet. 5ios
i.Goodness,. mercy, me! For our
Rate g'' 81
The girls always called me Rate.
stThat means, | suppose said ], not
needing Julia, ''that he wants to marry
me-" ..ss
cit does, my daughter. He says des-
pite of your plainness, he esteems you
highly, and he believes You would
make a better wife than many but
terfy beauty
This last with stern look at Julia