Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1872-02-01
For the REPUBLICAN
The Defeated Attempt.
BY L. RUDOLPH.

7 BY L. RUDOLPH.
Y Almira Dermond entered the room o
her seamstreSs and exclaimed in jubi
liant tones
"What do you think? Roberts com
ing home and going to bring Hugi
Lawrance with him. Do you suppos'
you can finish my white silk by Tues
day EVENING""
Twill try" said the seamstress qui
city.
Whereupon, Miss Almira sat dowI
and gave directions about the trimming
of the white silk, and discussed the diff
ferent colors and all the little accessor,
les of the toilet; and finally ended by
; declaring that Hugh Lawrence was a
splendid fellow and as rich as a Jew
The seamstress was alone again, and
proceeded with her sewing; but her
fingers were not as nimble as her mis-
tress might desire. Eva Renford was
tired. of her dull, monotonous life. AT
, an early age she was left an orphan,
but her uncle had taken her to him and
given her a luxurious home and an eX-
cellent education. Beautiful, accom-
plished and the pet of her uncle, who
had no one else to love but her, Eva
knew little of the trials and crosses oil
life. But the time was coming when
she should know. Oh! who has long
remained in ignorance Of these? Her
uncle died, and instead of inheriting
the large fortune as all supposed she
would, it was found that there was only
enough to pay all the debts.
Again was she left alone in the
world, for the friends of her prosper
Gus days turned away; and for the first
time, her heart learned the bitterness of
tickle friendship. But she had brave
heart and did not despair. Her educa-
ton fitted her for teaching, but there
was no vacant position to be obtained.
One evening she was pondering over
the dark future before her. She was
interrupted in her meditations by re-
ceiving letter. She opened 1t, and
read,
DEAR NEIcE,-I have heard of the
death of your uncle and that he has
left you in destitute circumstances.
Well, l have thought that, if you can
lind nothing to do, you might come to
me. l take in sewing and suppose you
could help me. If you come, you will
be welcome. Your loving aunt,
MARY MERRILL"
Here was aid in the time of need. |
Mrs. Merrill was a cousin to Eva's
mother. She was widow and had no
children and therefore thought her |
neice would be a pleasant companions
for her. True, sewing was not just
what Eva thought she would like best,
still it was all that remained for her to
do.
The next day, she was on her journey
and in the evening, arrived in the small
town of Vernon, where her aunt lived.
She was received very affectionately,
and soon felt herself at home. So sew
eral months passed away, and she be-
came accustomed to her new mode of
life, accustomed but not contented
enough to be willing to pursue it al
ways, and she still endeavored to OBJ
tain Il school. One day showily
dressed lady entered and brought a
costly dress to be made. She was proud
and naughty, and evidently considered
Mrs. Merrill highly favored by her GUS
tom.
"We have no seamstress at present."
she said. II do wish we could get one. |
see you have an assistant and think
you could spare her."
"What do you say to it, Eva" asked |
Mrs. Merrill.
81 do not know, aunt. You must |
give me time to think about it."
Then Miss Dermond began to enumer-
ate all the advantages a seamstress en-
joyed at their house.
"You could not find a more pleasant |
home. Not much work to Go and good
wages; just everything a seamstress
would wish. Indeed, you will be wrong
ing yourself, if you refuse my offer"
"Well, will give you my answer to-
morrow
After Miss Dermond left, Eva consul
ted her aunt who advised her to take |
the offered situation. .
"You need not stay, if you do not
wish. You are capable to take the po-
sition now and if at any time, you need
instruction, you can come to me. OF
course, Miss. ''Almira is proud and ar
rogant, but you need not mind that"
But Eva knew that she would mind
it, knew she could not tame her own
proud spirit to take insult calmly.
Still she determined to go, and, when
Miss Dermond came again, her answer
was, "Yes."
A few evenings afterward she was
again packing up her trunk and her
aunt assisted her. |
"Aunt, here is something / cannot
leave, my old guitar, though suppose
will have little time to play"
" No use to take it along"
But Eva did take it. The next morn
ing found her at Mr.. Dermond's; and
several weeks after Miss Almira an
nounced the coming of her brother and
Hugh Lawrance. .z.1
And Eva too was thinking of the Wis
itors, though what could they be to her?
She had heard her uncle speak of Law
rance. She remembered that he had
said
:. 1 know of no young man who stands
higher, in my estimation, than Hugh
Lawrance. When he has finished his
medical studies, must ask him here"
But Eva had never seen him, and it
was comfort to her that she had not.
The whole house was in commotion
to make ready for the party which was
to be given in honor of the two visitors.
Tuesday eve arrived at length. The
white silk was donned and the most
winning smile brought forth. A car
riage drove up to the door and was sur
rounded by the family who, after the
welcome was over, ushered the two
gentlemen into the house. Soon, the
other guests arrived; and Eva heard the