Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-06-15
A Tale Of the Period.


in front of yol at church, wiki such sweet
face, and that old gentleman with her who
has very fine face ?"
at is Mary HOy;; and the old gentleman is
her father"
u though: it was her husband What
pity she is an old maid"
"Why ?" asked the elderly lady quietly, as
she belonged to the class mentioned in such
contemptuous tone.
"Ol" said Katy Grey, blushing, az don't
know, only-why you know people do not
generally think as much Of old maids as of
married women"
Let me- tell you her story" the aunt went
on, without any further comment. It IS
cutie little romance"
Katy looked up attentiyely At her aunt, and
the lady went on
"When she was young-ahout your ago,
my dear-sho was not rs beautiful as she is
now, for it is her expression that makes her
lovely, and such an expression is seldom found
on the face Of young girl but she was
pleasant, lively, happy girl. Her father was
a well to DO retired sea captain, and as she was
the only daughter, she had al the comforts
and many of the luxuries Of life. She was
fond Of society, aud there received her due
share Of attention, and at twenty was engaged
to young merchant in town.
d" lie was pleasant, energetic young man,
and the match was approved by all interested.
Even the old captain much as he dislked part
ing with bis only child, yielded her up with
out any murmurs, at least any audible ones.
The wedding evening came" The large
old-fashioped house was lighted and decorated
as beEtted the occasion. The table in tho d.
uing-room loaded with every dainty and deli
cacy, would have put 20 shame the modern
wedding entertainment Of froth and ice cream.
Everything was prepared with a lavish hand.
4" The bride, in her own room, stood finish
ire her toilet before the glass with happy
smile upon her face Shortly her lover enter
ed, and after q grave, quiet greeting, seated
himself before the great blazing old-iashsioned
fire, aud remained wrapped in thought
1t must be confessed that the lady rather
wondered at his manner, but attributed it to
the solemnity no felt due 10 such an occasion.
But as minutes rolled on, and he still sat un-
mindful Of her, she felt hurt and unhappy.
" Finally shs stepped UP TO him, and laid
her hand lightly upon bis shoulder. " George,
it seems to me you are not happy
" For q moment he did not answer, then be
stammo7ed out am not, Mary"
"She hesitated Just long enough TO catch
her breath, and in an ordinary tone inquired
the reason.
d" lie acknowledged that the VOW he was
about to assume would have been perjury, as
q short time before he had met an earllor love,
who had in these earlier days slghted him,
and she had given him to understand if he
was DOW free to woo her, il would not be in
vain.
Miss Hoyt stepped into the entry and
called her father, and explained to him briefly
the state of the case.
" You would not have me marry an unwill-
ing husband, | am sure, father, said she.
No, my daughter, am only too happy TO
keep you" and without word to the tickle
swain he drew her hand within bis arm and
led her down stairs.
"How could she go7" said Katy, in an IN
dertone.
"I do not know, only she went, and her
father, with rare tact and much Of the old
time chivalry, led her among the guests,
quietly telling them there would bo no we'd
dug ceremony, but he wished them to stay
aud rejoice with him that he would not be
Obliged to part with his much-loved child.
"Of course there was the usual amount Of
curiosity, but the bearing Of the captain and
his daughter prevented any display oft, and
the evening passed happily 10 all assembled.
"The fathers treatment Of his child knit a
bond between them which no ordinary circum-
stance could have done. She loved him pre-
viously with love far beyond that which
children usually bear parents, but from that
evening she devoted her life TO him. So you
see, my child, why she is an old maid. And
now, that you have the story, let me add my
little word in conclusion as the preachers say.
Yesterday heard you say as you were talk
ing Of q lady passing" She is so lovely, |
should have thought some one would haze
wanted her." and to-day you say, What 3
pity she is an old maid"
/ perfectly agree with you that happy
marriage is the bes, state for man aud wo-
man on this earth. But your words imply
that you think the unmarried state disgrace,
whicE it by no means is.
." It is your state Of mind which leads TO the
numberless unhappy marriages VIC see: the
suicides for matrimonial infelicities, and the
neglected and forloru children. Why cannot
you girls say we can Do so and so well, and
wo will apply ourselves to il, making it our
business II, in the meantime, we find cur
selves chosen by one whom We cau in turn re-
spect and love, well aad good, We will do
what we can to make ono happy and cheerful
home: if not, we have our work, and We will
be content to do that tic best we can.
d" Content to fll little space in life, if God be
gloriiied."
at is this rushing into matriInony head
long at sixteen and upward, ." for fear, as a
young lady Of eighteen once said, you will
never have another chance which is the ruin
Of go many Of our noble girls The maiden Of
fifty expressed the same idea little more ludi-
crouslY, when she said she would marry " for
the sake Of having Mrs on her tombstone
Now, dear, l shall consider my lecture
we'll applied, if hear you in the future speak
Of tie old maids in a respectful way, remem-
bering that many Of them Gil hooks aud corn
ers in life which would be unhappily vacar.
we're they IN homes Of their own and that
these very ones are single because they were
true enough to themsslyes 20 remain unmar-
ried for some very good reason best known 70
themselves"
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