The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1872-01-27

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and protestations, and be
covered all over with embraces and kisses.
But it was who was proposing had not
imagined there could be blank or halt IN
the future if the result depended on me. Not
l. the fire burned, it could never be quenched
an imputation of disloyalty I would have re-
scented with whitening contempt or aqulverlng
blow might miss my object-that was posi-
ble-but not because my own heart was not
true and fixed. That was steady-unwavering
Not in aoords, for had not got that far, but in
every other way, had told the girl loved her
Without sentence written or spoken, she knew
well enough had passed to her charge. The
better discretion of the woman had not permit
ted declaration, but the eyes of the dumb can
be as eloquent as the lips of the orator, and she
never doubted but that had long ago laid my
best treasures in her hand, at her feet.
"Constancy thou art jewel !"
In the month of May I was seized with a
severe nervous affection. There was no healing
for me in the doctors laboratory, in nature was
my only hope. Released over and over again
from my post, | returned to business only to
grow worse and finally just before the Summer
went out, l resigned my desk, packed my
trunk and went out to good Samaritan's, o
hospitable host with broad acres and broader
heart, and sought the healing balm. Unhappy
selection what wretched fate directed me
My friend and his estimable lady, their sweet
children and all spared nothing to relieve and
improve rne. Saddle and wagon, rod and gun,
rest no recreation, quiet pany, every
thing they could do, was done for me, and this
haven of opportunity might have proved a
haven of health and hope had not
But to tell the story in a more natural way,
let the story read as it ran. This friend was
relative Of Mr.. Tross' family and soon after |
came there, there also came Carrie, the sister
of my Fannie, proposing, like myself, to make
q somewhat lengthy visit. Three years the
senior of my sweetheart, delicate and thought
full, she was an early matured woman, cheerful
yet sober, refined and good. She was one of
the most attractive characters had ever met.
Her health ferbidding laborous exertion, made
her the indoor lady of the household and gave
her opportunities for cultivation that had not
been neglected. She was the pure white lilly
of the garden. none named her but to praise,
and to know her was to love her, kind to
fault and pious by conviction, retiring in COM
pany, but frank and open and lovely with her
friends. I need say but little to hint my danger
or foreshadow my fall. Physically weak and
inert, mentally disturbed and distressed, body
and mind out of joint and shape, it needs no
prophet to predict the result, the pleasant voice
charmed away the spirit of sadness, the soft
white hand in morning evening salutation
thrilled through fibre and nerve and impaired
new life. The delicate attentions soothed and de-
lighted and when suddenly summoned away on
dark and rainy night to visit sick friend,
felt the wand of her power had enchanted and
without q thought of her victory, she drove
away with poor miserable me chained to her
chariot wheels. Heaven help me Notwithout
a struggle in the dark hours that followed, did
yield and accept the situation. Mistaking
the sympathy, suffering quick ripened into
friendship, for more thorough passion l be-
lieved my love ran true and deep, the compass
sion of the tender woman filled my heart with
sentiment thought was afection but which,
alas +! afterward, even an Indifferent analysis
revealed to be but gratitude, and on this unsta-
bic because insufficient basis began to build.
Having a good horse at my disposal and
finding in ride one of the best antidotes to my
gloomy sadness, it is no wonder the few inter
vening miles were often crossed and that in a
few weeks, | was 80 constant a companion as
to be halfmy time at Mr.. Tross' house-always
welcome-their hospitable doors opened at my
approach, all unconscious of the shadow my
coming cast and ere the October moon had
grown full, the die was cast, the irrevocable
VOW made, this time audibly, plainly. Oh,
tender heart of woman why not oftener be
steeled against a too ready affection, a too
prompt response. No sage could so fully
write my folly as myself To man in my
condition, the thought ought to have been so
absurd and wrong as to be put away at its first
coming once and forever. Sick and suffering.
without fortune, without health, who was |
to proffer claim to the best treasures and care
of a frail, delicate woman? | had struck
straight at her heart and wisdom went down
under the shaft love had levelled
There was no negative.
"Wait till tomorrow"
And when early on the morrow went to learn
my fate, the question did not have to be re-
psated. There was dancing light in the soft
grey eye and as my queen came with her frank
face and open hand. Heaven seemed to open.
The Scripture is always verified. Not only to
the criminal is ''the way of the transgressor
hard" but to the culpable too, and if we may
thank God our fault is without blood. Tears of
penitence may we'll flow when we come to con-
slider our ways, and when the results of our
folly come to bear fruit. Two others at this
time sought the hand, l unworthy, had won.
One uncongenial, kind but coarse, generous
but not just knew his aim, he guessed at
mine. One night we rode away together, l
with him to his home, miles away. shall not
forget soon, how, under the bright midnight
sky, as we stopped at a brook, and loosened the
brides for our horses to drink-facing each
other fairly-the question came from him in
lily disguised query. There was no brightness
for him after that in the starry armament
above, nor the trembling reflection of the
placid waters beneath. We cantered away,
surely without exultation, he without hope, for
there was lead in his heart. We entered the
pretty cage he had just built for his sweet bird,
who, he now knew was never to sing there or
for him and with a friendly "good night
parted. But he soon found comfort elsewhere
and his pretty cage was not empty long, and
we have always been friends.
ITO be concluded February 1OM.)