The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1870-10-05
ELLEN MCRRlSS.

"Why, Ellen, not oressed yet What
do you mean2 lam really provoked
with YOU" exclaimed Mrs. Morriss, a.
she entered bor daughters chamber
at is nearly seven now, and half past,
you know, is the time for Mr.. Seymour
to be here, to take you to the opera, get
right up and make yourself ready before
he comes"
"Oh! mother, you know hate oper-
attic, and indeed all fashionable smuse-
ments-Please (; oh please say mother,
that 1 may excuse myself to Mr.. Sey-
mour. I do not wish to begin to at:
tend theatres, or balls and parties,
this winter. Remember, mother, it
has only been few months since 1
publicly joined the church Of God and
"Huah !; you little simpleton-none
of your canting around me-savs that
for your aunts in the country. Mol
indeed--you'll not be excused. Go you
shall. DO you know that the leading
bellies Of Philadelphia will be envying
you when they see you in the same
box With Egbert Seymour 2 and besides
have heard it whispered that he loves
you"
GLOVES me What preposterous
idea. Did Egbert Seymour ever love
any one but himself /? But if I thought
such an idea had even crossed his mind ,
I would not 60 with him for the
world"
"But you will aud shall. Just think
what a catch it would be. His
father a millionaire, and he en- only
child"
"Iknew that, dear mother aud l
know moro than that /; he is selfsh-
bent alone on the qualification of his
own pleasures and passions. Such man
dctest
"Come, no more of suoh nonsense,
Ellen if I had twenty daughters i
would never send another into the coun.
try to be taught such silly notions by
old maiden aunts. But not another word.
Sit right here and let me dress your
hair"
The skillful fingers of her fashioua-
BILE, worldly mother soon BRAIDED, frizzed
and wound the gentle Ellen's beautiful
hair into the latest and most becoming
fashion, and as she assisted her to COM
plctc her toilet, and claspcd the
pearls around hor snowy white neck,
said in bland tone
"You look lovely to- night, my daugh
ter; and wish you to know it Now
pray try aud be more stylish, and not SO
countryfed."
Lovely indeed, rather than bcauti-
ful, was Ellen aud beneath the hrl!am,
gas light ofthc thrcatrc, tho strlkin.
contrast between her mild blue eye,
sctt fair hair, and i,iicate features, and
the piercing eye, heavy brow, jet black
hair and mous,ache Of ESbert Seymour,
made her appear more so.
Ellen, when quite child, had been
adopted by her fathers eldest sister,
who lived in West Pennsylvania, just
at the base of the Allcghan;es, where
they are called Laurel Ridge. Here,
amid the mountain scenery, she had
spent the greater part of her life, and
under the devoted care Of her good
christian aunt and god-mothcr had
grown, not only lively in person but
also in christian principles, and maiden
modcsty. 1t was this loveliness, which
surrounded her as halo of light. that
first attracted the attention Of Egbert
Seymour-when her mother determined
upon taking her to the city, and for the
first time introducing her into fashiona-
bic society on Chestnut street.
Egbert Seymour had so long received
the caresses, adulations and devotion
of the beautiful fashionable bellies of the
city-that they ceased to please, fattcr
hi, .auity, or inspire in him a greater
degree Of self love. 1t was therefore
with evident exultation that he saw the
lovely Ellen Morries.
"Now for gay time this winter"
said he. II shall soon have this shy
country GIRL, as he was pleased to call
her, "dying in love with me, and, oh
the fun"
His visits to Mrs. Morriss, became
frequent. Tickets 10 lectures, plays
and exhibitions, and cards for pleasure
drives, horse back rides, or pleasant
walks, he daily sent to Ellen-many OF
which, against her wish or inclination
her mother compelled her to ac-
cept.
His attentions, far from being agree.
able, pleasant or fattering to Ellen,
were very distasteful to her, and the
perfectly nonchalant manner in which
they were at all times received, not on
ly surprised but irritated this self con-
ceited, heartless and reckless young
man, who had been made to believe that
there lived not woman who would
not bow to the shrine Of his handsome
thce and countless wealth. Accustomed
from childhood to have every fancy
wish and whim gratifj, he was of q
nature not easily daunted, where his
pleasure, vanity or self interest were
concerned. To friend he said
"No-she has never seemed in the
least fattered, or even to caro- for thu
honor am conferring on her by my
attentions-but 1 tell you she shall
you know have will Of my own, and
am resolved on it; I have trump t,
play, which will teach her thing o,
two"