Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1870-12-03
NIISCELLANEOU
Shaking the Table Cloth.


How did you come to marry Mr.. Marshall
/ Aunt Mamie ?"
Mrs. Mamie Marshall wasn't my aunt, but
had called her so for many years, for she was
the kindcst and truest friend ever had. She
sat silent knitting busily and smiling little
bcfote she answered me.
alt all came of shaking tabe-clotb," said
Aunt Mamie.
"What! did you trip him up in its folds,
aud bring him down on his knees to you?"
"No; III tell you. When was four years
oli my mother died. don't know whether
children of that tender age generally remem-
Der their mothers as remember mine or not
but when | was so little that sat in high
chair at the table, would watch the chairs
filling up around it with the persistent hope
that my mother would come aud sit by me
and did not relinquish this hope after was
old enough to comprehend death, but cluns to
it. praying Christ to work a miracle, as in the
OLD Bible times, aud lei my dear mother appear
to ny longing sight.
Never was there a more ailectonatc or imag-
NATIVE child, and my youth was dreary time.
Nv MvgrandmUther, who had charge of ne, meant
to DO her duty by me, and in the usual accept
ancc of the term she did was fed and clothed,
and she taught me as well as Ter limited means
would allow But she never manifested and
any affection for me. She was one of those
kind of people who think kisses and catesses
loolishness, and though can look back now
aud remember proof of a secret tenderness, she
never kissed or caresscd me when was child.
grew up starved for love. After | was
fourteen years old grew to look for it from
whence all girls look for it, from lover.
read romances-I 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. My iondest dream was of the time
when a material figure, with bold, bright eyes
and gay apparel, should, seated on mlk-white
charger, appear before me as | spun in the
porch or gathered berries in the field, and
folding Inc to his heart with tender and assur-
ing words, leap up on his stecd. and with me
in his arms fly to some unknown country,
where he would make me a queen of his castle
never realized, ugly, ignorant child as | was,
how peculiarly absurd was any such idea as
applied to me, until one day something occur
red which destroyed my beautiful illusion and
made me wretched.
There were 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 winter use
Ny only companion in this work was my cou-
sin Stephen, boy two or three years younger
than myself
One day, when thus employed, we caught
glimpse of man in regimentals, riding swiftly
through the woods.
WHO can it be ?" said Stephen
"Ohw said /, in delight, perhaps it is my
lover knight, coming from the wars to find me.
Let me watch until he comes around the bend
in the road. If it is he, he will take off his
plumed hat and wave it for me- Then he will
gallop up and If, me on his horse and carry
me to his moated castle.
a nice girl ycu are for knight to run off
with amt you? A handsome lady-love you
would make, with your black face and flying
hair, like a wild Indians, and mouth all stain
with berries 10! no! Wouldn't you look
grand flying, and your shoes falling off because
they are big I'd just like to see you"
a. Ny cloud-land was destroyed forever
From that moment knew that was ugly,
uncouth and unattractive, and my hero lover
would never come. ceased to expect him.
grew older; was plain sud awkwardly
shy, and Stunned what society was attainable
10 me-
When was eighteen years old ! received an
invitation from an aunt who lived in Boston to
visit her, had never seen ber, and she knew me
only by report.
She wished me to come and spend the vinter
with her. Ny grandmother was willing /
should 90, but we were very poor, and it re-
auired great deal of economy and manage
ment to furnishme with wardrobe fit to visit
the city with.
The family Of my Aunt Caroline consisted Of