Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1872-05-24
GeIelte0 MlisteIlanD.
A Tale Of the Period.


"Aunty, who is that lady who sits three
seats in front Of you at church, with such a
sweet face, and that old gentleman with her
who has u very fac face %
. 1t IS Mary Hoyt, and the old gentleman
is her father"
. 1 thought it was her husband What q
pity she is an old maid"
Why? 2" asked the elderly lady quietly,
as she belonged to the class mentioned in such
Il contemptuous tone.
Obi" said Katy Grey, blushing, 81 don't
know, on|y-why you know people do not
generally think as much of old maids as OF
married Homeu''
8 Let me tell you her story" the aunt
went on, 'without any further comment, it
is quite little romance"
Katy looked up attentiyely ut her aunt, and
the lady proceeded
" When she was young-about your age,
my dear-she WAS not rs beautiful as abe is
now, for it is her expression that makes her
lovely, ana such nm expression is seldom found
on the face OF young girl; but she was II
pleasant, lively, happy girl. Her father was
IL well 10 do retired sea captain and as she
was the only daughter, she had all the com
forts aud many Of the Injuries of life. She
was fond Of society and there received her
due share OF attention, aud at twenty was en-
gagged to q young merchant in town
= lie was pleasant, energetic Young man,
and the match was approved by ali interested
Even the old captain, much as he disihcd part
ing with his only cbild, yielded her UP with
out any mnrmurs, at least any audible ones
The wedding evening came. The large
old-faShoued house Was lighted and decorated
as be6tted the ocasion The table in the dim
ing room, loaded with every dainty and deli
cacy, would have put to shame the modern
wedding en- lertainment Of froth and ice cream
Everything was prepared with lavish hand
- The bride, in her own room, stood finish
ing her toilet before the glass, with happy
smile upon her face Shortly her lover en-
tered and after grave quiet greeting, seated
himself before the great blazing od-lasliioned
open fire, and remained wrapped in thought
! must be confessed that the lady rather won
dered at his manner, but attributed it TO the
he felt due TO such an OCCASION But
as minutes rolled on, and he still sat unmind-
ful o. her, she felt bart and unhappy
Finally she stepped up 10 him, and laid
her hand lightly upon bis shoulder. George,
il seems 10 ne you are not happy ~
" For moment he did not answer then he
stammered out. . am not, Mary"
She hesitated just long enough to catch
her breath, and in an ordinary tone inquired
the reason.
Z" He acknowledged that the vow he was
about to assume would have been perjury, as
| short time before he had met an earlier love.
who bad in those earlier days sighted him,
md she had given him to understand il he
was now free to WOO her, il would not be in |
vain.
i" Miss IIoyt stepped into the entry and |
allied her father, and explained to him briefly |
he state Of the case
q You would not have me marry nm unwil- /
ing husband, am sure. father" said she
No, my daughter, am only too happy TO
,eep you, 5" and without word to The tickle
vain, he drew her hand within bis arm and
ed her down stairs.
How could size 90 p said Katy, in an un-
cFtone.
=" do not know only she went, and her
aiber, with rare tact and much of the old time
Rivalry, led her among the guests, quietly
Cling them there would be no wedding core
lony, but he wished them 10 stay and rejoice
nth him that be would not be obliged to part
18th his much-loved child.
"Of course there was the usual amount Of
uriosity, but the bearing Of the captain and
Is daughter prevented any display Of it, and
he evening passed happily to all assembled.
. The fathers treatment Of his child knit
ond between them which no ordinary cir
lmstance could have done. She loved him
reviously with love far beyond that which
ltdren usually bear parents, but from that
'eBing she devoted her life To him So you
e, my child, why she is an old maid. And
ow, that You have the story, let me add my
tile word 10 conclusion, as the preachers say.
estefday heard you say, as you we're talking
4 lady passing She Is SO lovely, | should
ivs ihought some one would have wanted q
r., and to-day you say, what pity she Is ,
old maid
a." perfectly agree with you that happy
arriage 10 The best state for man and woman
J this Garth. But your words imply that you :
ink the unmarried state disgrace, which it
no means is.
1t is your state Of mind which leads to the
imbefless unhappy marriages we sec the r
yorces. the suicides for matrimonial infelici-
5, and the neglected and forlorn children +
by cannot girls say we can do 80 and so
ELL and we sill apply ourselves to il, max
q it our business2 n in the meantime, we a
I'd ourselves chosen by one whom we can 10 d
rn respect and love, well and good, We will :
what we can 10 make one happy and cheer j
home; if not. we have our work, and We
III be content to do that the best we can.
Content . GIL little space IN life, if God be .
giors6ed 20 ft