The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-10-03
u CY' s G. Ell O S 7

w NhiSil thS lOuboihS5 cNShSiJ
formed a worthy setting. Some of its
young lady inhabitants declared that it
only needed a ruined abbey or castle to
make it equa. to those cloves of places
we read of in English novels. Hearing
this opinion, ain enterprising citizen Of
fered to put up few ruins at mode.
rate cost. He said that he would defy
anybody, even with microscope, to
tell his ruins; when finished, from the
original articles. Notwithstanding this
assurance, the prosaic trustees refused
his proposal, and, greatly to the disgust
of their romantic daughters, voted to
build a school house instead.
Lucy Dean was,the belleiof Angleside
There were two Lucy Deans; the other
was plain, good-natured girl,a farmers
daughter. This similarity in name might
have created some confusion, but it sci.
dom did, as the villagers usually called
our Lucy 'the Widow Deans girl
Our Lucy was very pretty girl, with
soft brown eyes and hair, and with a
ripe, blooming color in her cheeks that
two years of school teaching had failed
to dim. She had many admirers among
the male sex, and one of these, Frank
Wells, had reason to believe himself the
favored swain.
Frank was an upright, though some
what uncalculating young man. His bu
siness talents might have earned him q
respectable livelihood, had not his do
ting parents wasted time and money in
giving him an artistic education. They
were well meaning couple, and he was
their only child, so when he drew unre
cognizable men and horses on his slate
the affectionate parents were astounded
by the genius which these attempts dis
played, and they determined that theil
boy should become a painter. A Ra
phael or Titan, but, at least, a Sir Josh
ua Reynolds. And Frank was brought
up with this end in view. To pay the
expenses of his education, the old peo
pie made many sacrifices, and at last
sold their farm, but before their work
was completed, death came, and Franh
was alone in the world.
For time he picked up living III
Angleside. He painted portraits, all the
faces of which were marvelously y alike
but the back grounds and dresses were
gorgeously done, so his sitters we're sat
isfied. One day a strange photographer
made his appearance in the village, and
our hero's occupation was gone.
Strange enough, On the very day that
saw the downfall of his fortunes, Frank
walked boldly into Widow Deans kitch
en-it was after school was done, and
Lucy was there picking berries-and
popped the question. A blush, red as
the strawberries in the china bowl, spread
over Ldty's face. There was shor
pause.
"rll-rll be your wife, Frank; bu
not just yet"
"Oh, l won't be so unreasonable, my
own Lucy; I'll give you month to pre-
pare"
"a month is too short time-that il
unless you allow me to continue to teacl
after our marriage" and she looked W
tinlidly.
"That will be altogether unnecessary
my love-" he began.
"In word, dear Frank, what are you
prospects p she said firmly, but with al
involuntary tremor in her voice.
prospects r' he echoed in a tone O
surprise "why, I've fifty dollars in hand
and can work"
sis that all? Then marriage is out o
the question-at present" :"
Frank Wells was filled with aston;sh
ment and indignation.
"Do not misunderstood me-" she con
tinued earnestly. Il love You; would
willingly share your lot in life, but my
mother is aged and an invalid, and mus
90 where l 60. / cannot place her il
the power of the uncertain future whicl
you Offer"
"If you really loved me, you would
trust all to me-" he broke forth in Fl
Of hot anger. 81 see your meaning
plainly, although you have tried to dis
guise it, You refuse me because 1 an
not rich y
"You forget yourself, and to whom
you are speaking, Mr.. Wells" .a
81 do not. Farewell, Miss Dean, for
ever" And he rushed from the kitchen
and sped away from Angleside in thu
next train.
A few scalding tears fell among th'
crimson berries in her lap; and then sh'
wiped her eyes, becoming in outward
appearance herself again.
Frank Wells sudden departure wa!
commented upon by some Of the villa
gers, but soon they scarcely remember
ed that such person had ever livet
among them. Lucy did not forget
though; her spirits were not as light as
had been usual before Frank left Angle
side; she was sorry because they hat
parted in anger, out she did not grow
pale, and contrary to tie custom of he
roines in love, her appetite was very
good. Who ever knew anybody witt
plenty to do, to become loyesick, or di'
of broken heart?
Lucy had great deal of work on he
hands just at this time, for her name
sake, Lucy Dean, fell ill Of fever, ant
as there was. not more capable or gen
tie nurse in all Angleside chan our Lucy
her services were called into requisition
Thus two busy months were divided be
tween school teaching and attending tt
the sick girl.
"The Squire's sons niakin', sheep
eyes at you, Lucy" said Widow Dean
one day, she's been prowlin' round her
for nigh unto q month. / s'pose yov
didn't notice him, but my old eyes dr.
sharper ;if he asks you to be his wife
say yes, for he'll have the Popkins farm
when his father dies, and it's right com
Portable. I'd admire to live there; he
got pile # money, too, they say"
Lucy was silent, but she thought owe
her mothers words as she walked dow
to Lucy Deans in the twilight.
She found the sick girl rapidly impro
wing. About eleven o'clock the doc
swung open with bang, and tall, sand,