The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1871-12-08

ing fitted for b helpmcet, companion
and friend"
"Tell me all about it, grandma.
Why didn't they marry?"
Grandma Tinsley wound the loose
yarn on her ball, and looked very
thoughtful as she stuck her needles
IN the pretty baby stocking, which
she placed in her basket. Helen
was her oldest grand-child and ac-
knowledged favoritc; she now sat on
cushion at her feet, anxiously wait
ing to hear the story.
Grandmother Tinsley was an ad-
mirab!c story-tellcr, and Helen
would rather sit and hear her talk /,
than to mingle with her gay school
friends. The old lady smiled on Ler
youthful representative, and caress-
ingly patted her head. then said:
Earnest Tresselveyue was an
only child, aud as he gave promise Of
talent when very young he was al
most completely ruined. Vanity
and conceit become marked traits in
his character. He did not accept
homage as grateful boon, only en-
joyed by the fortunate, but dcmaded
it IS his due. He did not reflect on
the mysterious ways Of this world.
His favorite theory was, "The world
gives everyone their due 1 have
heard him say, his standard.
He weighed each of his lady
friends in his balance, but found
them all wanting. There were the
Misses Black, very pretty and styl-
isb. danced well, but had nothing to
say, after the town gossip was ex-
hausted. Miss White, the heiress.
was a plain good girl, but in her pres
ence all poetry and sentiment vanish
ed, she was of the earth-ear,hy.
Miss Blue was amiable, but Earnest
Tresselvcync hated amiabls women,
because they lack spirit. Only one
more remained on his list Of eligibles:
and that one was his old playmate,
Madeline George. But her charac-
ter was slightly tinged with blue
in other words, she occasionally wrote
articles for papers and magazines.
Earnest Tresselveyne puzzled his
brain 20 find out why Madeline
George would write-she was so
original; so full of life and sparkling
wit, she suited him SO well-why did
she ruin her prospects?
"Earnest Tresselveyne love! Mad
cline George as much as it was in
his selfish nature to love any one, land
his love was returned. He accepted
her love as he did all other honors;
he thought it nothing more than his
due. She loved him purely and un-
selfshly. She felt grateful that he
should turn from others and bow at
her shrine. Her high aspirations
now sentered in him-for him she
toiled to embelish her mind with
good and useful knowledge; she
would be no drag to his footsteps,
but like the light, elastic staff, she,
would support him when footsore and
weary he wandered among the intri
cate paths of life.
madeline George was not a
"would- be learned woman She
was simply clever girl, with good
sound judgment. and strong. de-
ternined will. They had been en-
gagged some months, and Earnest
Tressclveyne tried sneeringly:
talk not to me of hidden talents
or genius resting in obscurity. You
might as we'll attempt to hide the
sun behind a vail. What is Godlike
cannot be hidden.
"yhe paths OIL were so smooth
to him; wealth and family influences
bore him a above the struggling masses;
he had only to bring in use his men.
tai faculties; only to work the rich
mine and bring to light the precious
stones to be gazed at by an admiring
throng. Friends urged him on and
assured him success. He knew moth
ing of the trials Of those who are
forced by poverty, disease or some
untoward circumstances into the fields
of Tabor for which they have no taste,
there to struggle and wait for the
opportune hour when they can seek
congepial pursuits and show the
world their superiority.
Earnest Tresselveyne grew tired
of bachelors life--tired of being
!ionnzod; he was thirty-ive, npros-
porous business, and he wanted a
wife. He had become thoroughly
;,;t;ated in the mvsteries of fashion