New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-12-31
A NEW YEARS STORY.
BY A. Il.

Severed years ago, in this city, on brigh
warm New Years morning, such as al
only enjoyed by the inhabitants of tt
sunny South, fair girl, over whose queenl
head twenty summers had hardly passed
sat in an attitude of deep thought.
As she sat there, wholly absorbed in he
own reflections, she formed picture plea
ant to look upon; for, though no one woul
have dreamed Of calling Jessie Morto
beautiful, there was still a sweet serious
ness in those large, gray eyes, and per
sive look about the small, well-forme,
mouth, which rendered her wonderfully a,
tractive; while in her slight figure Their
was q certain dignity of carriage whicl
commanded respect.
Peculiar to herself say, for about JESSIE
Morton there was a rare touch of origin
atty and an independence Of characte
which had displayed itself at an early age
and which had grown with her growth and
strengthened with her strength. Wher
only sixteen she had been deprived of one
of the greatest of ea1th's blessings, namely
mothers love and watch care, and hence
as her father was busy man Of the world
and much engr0ssed in its cares, she had
been thrown more upon her own resources
than most girls of that age
Possessed of reticent and somewhat
shrinking nature, and consequently unob-
trusive with her own views, she had by her.
self wrought out many of the great prob
lens of life, which the majority pass lightly
over, either from sense that everything is
bound to turn out right in the end, or from
a natural Incidence, which renders it too
much of an effort to grapple with hard
facts, and tone them down to practical
living principle.
Not that l wish to convey the idea of a
strong, resolute woman, with extraordinary
force Of character, and unyielding frmness
OF purpose in the execution of her own par
tlcular views and feelings ~ far from it,
There were many times when Jessie faltered
lrresolutely on the threshold OF that which
seemed to her hard truth. On such occa-
sions she realized her own weakness to such
an extent. that to maintain what her inner
nature and the promptings of her own heart
told her was right seemed almost an impos-
sibllity. But in the majority Of cases she
would come OF victor. thereby enjoying that
which only those who have experienced it
can appreciate, triumphant feeling of self
conquest.
For some time Jessie Morton had felt that
the custom of offering wine to New Years
callers was an injurious one, apd attended
IN many instances by most unpleasant con-
sequences; and the subject Of the brown
study in which we found her wrapped in
the beginning of our little story was this
whether or not to follow society's customs
to the letter, and, as on former occasions of
that kind, to have wine among the refresh
ments; or to substitute in it's place some
milder beverage. She knew that, did she de
eide upon the latter, and carry out her own
principles on the subject, she would be the
object of comment and criticism result |
which, to one of her shrinking nature,
would be most disagreeable, to use the mild
est term. Finally, however after revolving
the case in all its points, she came to the
conclusion that wine should not be dealt to
her guests that day.
Satisfied with the result of her medita-
tions, che arose, and had hardly finished
her toilet when her first caller was an
nounced. With SHINE trepidation she de-
scended, and advanced to meet her visitor
so gracefully and with SO sweet a smile,
that inwardly he pronounced her the most
Charming creature he had ever seen. But,
as was quite natural, he soon observed the
absence of the customary beverage, and
Jessie could readily detect a sheer in his
manner and words, subsequent to the IN
pleasant discovery.
The next visitor was an old and valued
friend Of the family, who had proved
himself such by his kindness and SYM
pathy in times of sorrow and adversely,
and for whom Jessie entertained the high
EST regard. In him she felt she would
Ind an advocate, nor was she mistaken: {
Tor, upon leaving, he grasped her hand, {
saying as he did so: God bless you for
The step which you have to-day taken.
Though you should encounter opposition, s
Eour noble example in thus Drawing popu-
ar prejudice may have a lasting influence q
or good where you may least expect it," I
THANK you, oh, so much, tor those kind 4
words OF encouragement" replied Jessie. l
With tears in her eyes. at was with a Q
truggle that could bring myself thus to b
Freak over the bounds Of prescribed So p
'iety etiquette; but now, with the approval
" my own conscience, and with what YOU f
ave said, feel strengthened to meet any g
hing that may come"
And her courage did not forsake her. for t
IS one after :an0ther Of her mauy guests c
'ame and went, in the majority of cases, e
he new sparkle in her eyes, and the bril- n
lance Of repartee, her grace and unusually a
manner more than compensated Fl
or the lack Of the ruddy wine With Jessie b
erself, the few sneering expressions which
ell from the lips Of those who came more a
Or the purpose Of being inwardly refreshed a
han from any particular regard to herself p
ad not feathers weight. n
l might make one exception, in the case
young man Of her acquaintance. il
hose face for the last few months would | IL
come before her, in spite of al
er strict assertion that she cared nothing p
II him; for when he came she waite he'd fo
most breathlessly for the effect which her h,
an would produce upon him, and as she til
cognized the scOrnful curl in his lip and W
@ well-bred contempt which was evident til
on his fine features, feeling Of indigna- CO
N arose within her. ia
Paul Travers (such we will call him) was fir
reality young man of good principles,
Z contact with the world had. in o degree,