Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1870-12-03

my age, and very pretty. 1t is fer9 har'
thing to sly, But honestly think that my
aunt, to whom my personal appearance hac
been described, ysanted rlc to associate Will
Julia, as foil to her beauty, Sud to reside il
the family that might assist in taking care o
the children. At any rate, as soon rs J cam'
the single servant was dismissed.
The family lived elegantly, but scor fotnd
that it was done by the strictest economy. KY
aunt worked hard and managed well, and nc
one outside the house dreamed that their in
come was as painfully small as it was.
Julia had lover Mr. Marshall was very
handsome and mighty fine, and ! do net won
der that he appeared fcry much like q god to
me then. lie was but recently acquainted
with Julia when went there, but he appear
ed very much in love with her. used TO helT
her upon the evenings on which lie came, and
after she had gone down looking like an angel
used to shed few tears Of sorrow and lone
illness, as stood and listened to their happy
chat and gay laughter ringing from the room
below. And was very sure that | never
could be pretty, aud thought that nobody
would ever love me.
One day Mr.. Marshall came to dine. E2tra
attention was given to the house and dinner
Nv aunt had been very wealthy for a short
time when first married, and from her hus
bands failure size had saved lev things which
gave the house an air Of means and style
some articles of fine table silver and some hand.
SOME oil paintings, remember
With M assistance she served the dinner
herself, and managed so as to he richly dressed
to appear 1t the table. She was cool anC
stately but l. who had fingered until the last
moment in the kitchen, making gravies and
serving up vegetables, was so tired that ! could
hardly speak never did talk much, though
50 it was not noticed, apparently. Mr.. Mar
shall conyersed of books, pictures and music,
all of which Julia was acquainted with, an1
and it was agreeable to listen to them. WI
sorry when the meal was finished.
Mr.. Marshall turned to look at the picture
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 in the kitchen. helped lIer to
DO this Julia stood looking out Of the win
dow.
"When the table was cleared Of the dishes
my aunt went out sat down and took my
sewing, thinking that my aunt would be back
in a moment to finish clearing the table, and
that shuuli be allowed, during the afternoon,
the place of a 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 the board
and arranged the game Julia sat in tic cor
ner of the sofa with some embroidery; Just
as We were ready to play, | 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 the same moment and
then turned screnely back to her embroidery.
put down the box timidly.
"Excusc me, said 81 my aunt is not coming
back, and the table must be put in its place.
took of the cover and carried it into the
kitchen; apd then came back, pulled down
the leaves Of the oll-fashonel table, and was
going to put 1t up at the side Of thcroom alone,
when Mr.. Marshal arose and did it for me.
Then took up the crumb-cloth, and car
ried it out and shook it, and put it in its place
in the hall closet, and all the time he stood and
watched me as if in surprise. When was
ready to sit down again he played very badly.
lie seemed to be absent-minded.
lie came to the house two or three times
after that, but not to spend an hour or two
alone with Julia. Pretty soon he did not come
at all, aud Julia used to cry ont and be so
cross that she made the whole family uncom-
Portable
One day he drove up TO the door in aSplen-
did sleigh, for it was winter time, and the
sleighing was very good. Julia was sitting
at the dinning-room fire.
"Therc, she said, jumping up. "he'a come
to take me to drive. Now, won't 90 a
step unless he asks my pardon for staying
away so long"
Her mother showed him into the parI7r,
and he asked for me. | went in wonder
He asked me to 60 and ride as cooIly as II !
had been in the habit Of driving with him all
the days Of my life and there was something
in his manner that would not let me refuse. !
went, and he asked me to marry him, wait
ed three years for him, for he was not settled
in business then then We were married, aud
| have been happy every Gay Of my life since
One day he told me why he bad not married
Julia. 4 was pleased with her. said he, but
when Isaw her letyou, guest, leave your en-
with gentleman 10 do her moth
ers work, while she sat doing nothing but
embroidery, knew she was indolcnt asd SELF
ish. aud she never looked pretty TO ne after
that moment. II it had not been for that
Mamie, should probably have
married her and been as wretched as ! am
now satisfied
~ 49, D., - Il. 20 T,tr y ,prp finn of rf1r