Smyrna times., 1872-01-24
MiSceIIu n e o us.
Story of an InkStand.

NAV as well tell 1t to you now as any other time
suppose. You ought to be called the Great
American History Extractor, or Romance Ex- |
tractor, for if there is particle of romance in
anything or anybody in place where you hap
pen to be, you are sure to scent it out"
"0fall days this is the most glorious one for
a rOmance-the rain falling with that steady.
mOnOtOnous drip, drip, drip; not soul in the
house but ourselves, and we so snug in this
splendid old library"
Mag Hastings was indeed an indefatieable
rOmanee-hunter. She was always looking for
situations where the romantic predominated.
She would have succeeded as dramatist, with
out doubt. She was apparently as happy as
mortal could be on the morning in question,
nestled in the depths of my scarlet louace,
perfectly certain that she looked picturesque in
her dark green street suit, relieved by the
daintieSt linen.
Come here, pet!' said she and bunch
OF white wool, with blue ribbon tied at one
end OF IT, marking spot where in dog neck
would De, trOtted mysteriOuSy toward her
What pr0pelllng power there could be in the
shaggy thing was wonder | never could get
oyer, but somehow it managed to spring into
Mag arms, and then the silence assured me
that my story was expected.
Ihe surroundings were favorable for story
telling, 1t is true. The room heavily wainscot-
umes and OF all varieties, the long, windows
richly draped with scarlet-brocade, lined with
exquisite lace, the thick soft carpet of motted
green. the Turkish lounges, the quaint chairs,
iu4uriously upholstered, the brOnZes on the
ma9tel and In inches and corners-bronzes that
N9'd old stories OF mythology, the engravings on
Tue wall the little gems in oil selected for their
wonderful cOlOrlng-an autumn scene, a burn
l1g snip, group Of German peasants; the
goWing fre OF sea-cOal, and the polished hearth
ana lender-all appealed to the love of the
peauuiul and the picturesque, while the cold.
gnceaslng rain, the bare, gaunt trees. the
gripping shrubbery, and the banched grass
uLoEe the thoughts within for solace and
amusement
ne lnks:and that Mag Hastings referred to
was pretty affair in Swiss carving. 1t repre-
e0nIed TWO little peasants carrying water, the
ogcAets suspended from pole resting in hand
~ each' vi course the water pals were the
1ak Ia receptacles, and the pole was the pen-rack
II was poetic and realistic at the same time,
auu as pretty a trhe for library table as one
would wish to see
The story is a sad one, Mag" said l. at
day. '' '"0 '''' u '"e
90 much the BETTER" she answered, with q
Iue dramatic love of the hOrrible-"so much
t.re petter. d like to be stirred up little.
rear m too comfortable. A little dash Of i'm
;;sInauYe sorrow is needed to relieve this per
JsA elg?yment. 4 little shade throws out tht
"o points OF anything, you know. Isn't it so
get! and she pinched the little appendag
ughlned by the name Of tail till sharp yell
GsPle ,sPl out Of the soft white mass in her arms
r' mere told you so, pet; now you'll know
hnat true repose is.
Il should scold you, Mag" said I, ''if
nsa in ho IN xyO
are incorrlgible; so | will go on. Time wi
s'tT you shadow enough, without doubt.
when was in Venice" [ commenced.
IN Venice exclaimed Mag, sitting kOl
UPRIGHT and giving the little dumping of
poplIe pinch that brought out most spitefu
'e.p .!,,, When were you ever in Venice y
why you know, Mag, that | was abroa'
noFe than two years In fact | had just re
,oIieu when you and | became acquainted"
;epned' ;1 wondering a little at the unusua
eSt she appeared to take in the commence
"ent OF my story.
n, On, knew that" she replied; "but
@ lever heard you say anything about Venice,
aesln reclining and closing here eyes, as muc
% L 70 say, 60 on. am at loss to conceiv
ssnat made me 80 foolish as to disturb myseI
- @ SO sight thing as the mention of foreg
aud defunct city -
Wen, when [ was in Venice-I believe
Cs Css the second month of my stay there
Gharles came in one day. fCharIes Is nv hus
I$ad from long tramp about the Palszz
%erdan, %o, the Ca d Oro-you know which
;Seal-the H. 80 one built in the sixteenth century
Iee oriental style, and restored by Mile
sHgonI, the celebrated daucer-"
an Vh, yes, said Mag, impatiently, II kno'
ABOUT it.. Haven't been there wasn't
%da %aa there haven't always lived there
ISa the Doge of Venice christen me didn'
a0a aaW my first breath on the Bridge OF Sighs
G"a Ga wasn't one of Mile Taglioni's pupils
S h. ahead and tell me what Charles said whe
zane back from his tramp about the Ca Z
my, But never mind the architecture. II
'Os building at present"
h. nad seen Margaret 10 many strange moods
~ a' never felt her to be so utterly incorrigibl
sa upon this occasion. However, l resume
nsaout nrsut appearing to remark it.. ~.
ran Snarles came In and said, hastily, Mel
a. sn redro to get up nice lunch just as quic
r;,t ne can | have brought an invalid hom
me, and if can shall persuade him
.t 81 /