The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1870-12-22
Shaking the Table Cloth,

elbow did you come to marry Mr.. Marshall
Aunt Mamie p
Mrs. Mamie Marshall wasn't my aunt, but
| had called her SO for many years for she
was the kindest and truest friend ever had
She sat silent, knitting busily and smiling a
little before she answered me.
cit all came of shaking table CLOTH" said
Aunt Mamie.
"What did you trip him up in its folds
and bring him down on his knees to you p
''No; I'll tell you. When was four years
old my mother died. I 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
filing up around it with the persistent hope
that my mother would come and sit by me !;
and l did notfelnquish this hope after was
old enough to comprehend death, but chung to
it, praying Christ to work miracle, as in the
old Bible times, and let my dear mother ap
pear to my longing sight
Never was there a more affectionate or i'm
aginative child, and my youth was dreary
time. My grandmother, who had charge Of
me, meant to do her duty by me, and in the
usual acceptance Of the term she did [ was
fed and clothed, and she taught me as we'll as
her limited means would allow. But she new
er manifested any affection for me. She
was one of those kind of people who think
kisses and cAresses foolishness, and though l
can look back now and remember proof of a
secret tenderness, she never kissed or caressed
me when [ was a child.
grew up starved for love- After I was
fourteen years old grew to look for it from
whence all girls look for it, from lover. l
read romauces-I built air castles-yet 30
well had | been trained in practical ways and
habits that no one dreamed of the turn my
mind was taking. My fondest dream was Of
the time when a material figure, with bold,
bright eyes ard gay apparel, should, seated on
a milk white charger, appear before me as
spun in the porch, or gathered berries in the
field, and folding me to his heart with tender
and assuring words, leap up on his sseed, and
with me in his arms fly to some unknown
country, where he would make me 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 occurred which Destroyed my beau
tiful illusion and made me wretched.
There were always several weeks in the fall
when, if the crops were good, I was almost
necessarily employed in gathering berries,
which my grandmother preserved for winter
use. My only companion in this work was
my cousin Stephen, boy two or three years
younger than myself. a e
One day, when thus employed, we caught
glimpse of man in regimentals, riding
swiftly through the woods.
tWho can it be y said Stephen,
ooh" 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 lift me on his
horse and carry me to his moated castle
"a nice girl you are for knight to run off
with, amt you A handsome lady love you
would make, with your black face and flying
hair, like Wild Indians, and mouth all
stained with berries! Ho! no! Wouldn't
you look grand flying and your shoes falling
off because they are big I'd just like to see
you"
"My cloud-land was destroyed forever -
From that moment knew that was ugly,
uncouth and unattractive, and my hero lover
would aeyeE cone. ceased to expect him.