Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1871-01-05

ward they set out in the stranger
private carriage, leaving their bag
gage to be carried by stage.
AT the end of their journey :
house, beautiful as a palace, camt
in view. The lawn, shaded by ven
erable oaks of a century's growth
led to an entrance that, for majesty
and splendo", could scarcely be ex
celled. The richly stained glass
statues of ivory whiteneSs, pillars
and carved arches, were as bewild-
ering as beautiful to the senses OF
the simple American minstrels. But
If the house surroundings and
adornments within were luxurious
and stately almost beyond compare,
the inmates, quiet, modest, and re-
fined, were as simply unostentatious
rs though their environments were
the American farm house and un-
cultivated woods. There were
Madam Holdsworth, an elderly lady,
a pattern of digniiied grandmothers
and Belle Holdsworth, little fragile
creature, beautiful as the day, but
pale, very pale and languid. Here
our singers were emphatically at
home. Their songs charmed the in
valid into sweet forgetfulness; and
when Mr.. Holdsworth brought in,
with reverent touch, the enameled
case containing an ancient, we'll
worn instrument, q genuine Gre
mona, and allowed Antoine to draw
dulcet strains from its venerated
strings, there could not be a happier
heart than his.
Il have been offered ten thousand
dollars for that instrument said the
old man, stroking his snow white
beard; but nothing would tempt
me to part with it. If my little Belle,
there, marries man, not only with
music in his soul, but at his finger
ends, the instrument is hers. 9th
erwise shall be obliged to bequeath
it to my son, who is still at college,
and unfortunately, though he loves
music, cannot play nor cares to-
Antoine felt the red creeping up to
his cheeks. He looked over to the
farthest end of the room where sat
Dora, turning over the leaves of a
book of famous prints. Belle sat
near, her white arm over Dora's
shoulder, enjoying her delight. 1T
would not - very hard to love such |
a woman, he thought, tenderly |
strain of magic sweetness
from the old Cremona. But should
he dare aspire to unite himself with |
the daughter of millionair? How
ever, when he had listened to the
old mans story, he felt more hope.
Mr.. Holdsworth was born amid the
Of New Hampshire, a
poor American boy, the son of a
worthy farmer. BY early and steady
application, he became clerk in a
rich Boston firm-then a partner;
then, being through self-help
master of the French language, he
was trusted to found a branch house
Of the business in Paris. This and
fortunate speculations had enriched
lim beyond his widest desires
while he wasy yet young man. Belle
vas the youngest of five daughters.
All the others had died at the early
lge of fifteen; but competent ply
'icians had assured him that if Belle
cached her seventeenth year, she
would be likely not only to live, but
% become a strong, healthy woman.
The prediction seemed about to be
for the young girl was now
learly eighteen, and since the com
ng of the minstrel family a magical
,hange was observable. Antoine,
he handsome, frank, engaging An
oine, had interested her heart. At
lis coming she blushed-at his 60
ng paled. He likewise loved her,
,ut dared not tell his love-he
Wished to be perfectly honorable.
Both father and mother, however,
cad the case-it was not difficult.
They found in the young man high
sentiments of honor, strict principles
md an unblemished reputation. The
I'D merchant said one day:
Antoine, you play so well, / don't
NOW but l shall give the violin to
-ou.'
And BELIEF eagerly exclaimed
he young man-then turned his
lead away suddenly.
Yes, and Belle, too, my fine fel-
ow,' was the response, if she is
Wiling
This was joyful news, and joyful
vas the result. Antoine found
ovely wife-fortune enough-at
The brothers were
in business by the old
Millionaire; and three years after,
he student-son, now one of the best
awyers in Paris, led to the altar
he little Connecticut warbler, Dora
4e Sevres.