Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1871-11-10

Will all say why you're single stillPi
Then answered they, 1--WE will we will
We all will tell our history,
And bind ourselves to secresy.n
Now closer b the fire they drew,
And stirred the blazing brands anew,
And then between them it was agreed
The eldest should the rest precede.
few slight coughs and then began
The maidcn's tale and thus it ran:
"Whle yet in early maidenhood,
One sought my love to gain
lie was the noblest of his sex,
Nor did he love in vain.
loved him most devotedly,
He was my life, my pride,
For him would have laughed at want
For him could have died.
lie ever was most eloquent,
When speaking Of the home,
The peace, tie real happiness
That soon should be our own.
listened, and my sky seemed bright
As summer sky at noon
But sable clouds soon interviewed,
My bright sun sat in gloom;
For fell disease had laid his hand
On him held SO dear,
Aud ere month had passed away,
They laid him on his bier.
watched him till his spirit fled
Its tenement of clay;
cared not for the sueerng lip,
Or what the world might say.
Since then my hand has oft been sought
But have answered-no
deem it sin 70 yield a hand
Where heart can never CO."
Each maid wiped something from her eye
~ "a n he. al,
And then another maid began
Her narrative, and thus it ram:
"Nlan is deceitful, and love can decay
This had proven in lfes early day;
Never n maiden more trusting than J.
Ere fasehood of man had taught me to sigh.
One vowed that he loved listened believed
lie seemed most sincere, and was deceived
He asked for the heart which he has abused,
lie sued for my hand and it was not refused.
Our wedding eve came, friends crowded eacl
room,
The bride was all ready, but missing the groom
They searched, but in vain, gave up in de
spair
Guests soon departed with wondering stare.
Ny heart it beat lightly, fet--almost knew
That trouble detained him--he surely was true
Came then a message, which told me that he
Had married another, mud that was free.
Then despised him; my soul rose above
Such weakness as tears--such folly rs love.
Since then ] have yielded no faith unto man,
Have hated the sex, and blame nc who cam
The maiden paused. None wondered now
The name Of spark should cloud her brow
And then voice, sweet and low,
Related what we write below:
{ no, ,.ot &, oI,;t1toad1g oorI,,
Those careless days Of mirth were gone,
saw that man, when dealing with our sex,
OFT sought but to deceive, to wrong.
saw that many, honest deemed
In all their intercourse with men,
Blushed not 10 play the part Of hypocrite
With us, to seek our love- and then
Boast of their triumph DER The heart
Boast oe the alsehoods they have used
TO win, without qnite asking for the heart
Which they said would be refused.
/ had sister once. Poor Thing
She gave her hand, without Sigh
TO one she deemed most excellent but soon,
Heart. broken, she came home TO die.
She told me man but seldom proved
All that he appeared TO be
She said that woman, if she wed at all,
Had care and little liberty.
And as had enough Of wealth
To Danish want while life should last
] said I would not yield 10 man the heart
Or hand, which he might scorn at last
Many have urged me to believe
That all were not alike, and said
That they at least were most sincere and true,
AS they would prove If | would wed.
But had no desire to risk
Ny little happiness below;
Therefore, 10 all who sought my hand, said
Kindly but with Grmness-No
SO ladies am single still,
Nor am in the least afraid
To say that am happier far than most
Who shudder at the name old maid. -
None yentured to gainsay a word,
And SO another tale was heard.
IA beauty and village pet,
said will not marry yet,
But win little while coquet
And so
! hirted with each beau awhile,
On no one would frown, on one would SMILE
But sought to hold them all the while,
Each beau.
a beauty and a village belle, thought
Should surely marry we'll,
And which to take could not tell,
And go,
As better offers coon might come,
thought I would not change my home,
And would give answers unto none
But no.
Years swiftly fed, and beauty too,
Ny checks soon lost their roseate hue,