Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1872-03-02
THAT HATEFUL MAN.

IL IL NNANs
had Just left school was consid-
cred finished, and ready to come out
In fact, was coming out as Tar as the
engine could take me, for ] was seated
in the cars with Aunt Mary and Cousin
Nelly, and we were going to see the
world at several places, and we We're tc
begin our pilgrimage by spending a
week at-nothing shall ever induce me
to tell the name of that place.
Aunt Mary was rich, chlldiess
widow; Nelly was one of her two nieces,
and | was the other
Nelly had broken her shell, and come
out two years before. and she was en-
gagged to him. as wittily called the
lucky man. She was, Of course, very
interesting to herself, and did not pay
that respect and attention to me which
considered my due; for | was the
chicken of the day, tn, heroine OF the
occasion.
SO, feeling neglected, | retreated
within myself, and mused upon the fu-
ture. The world was all before me
where to choose, and what a choice |
made
| was to have 4 splendid time gen
orally: new people and new places to
see, pretty dresses to wear, good things
to eat, and fun in everything. Then,
particularly, | had enhancing visions
of-of-
Any one looking at a young girl with
the eyes of the body might were he so
gifted. see with the eyes of the mind
the cloud of witnesses by which she is
surrounded imaginary young men, all
remarkably handsome, and poetical,
are bowling, smiling, signing, and finally
proposing for better or for worse.
This is the way of nature, and | was
made after that pattern. Yet, among
all the sights | saw in my waking
dreams, | did not perceive even the
faintest shadow of what was awaiting
me.
We reached the destined spot; we
went to the hotel; we shook the dust
from our garments, and made ourselves
g fit to be SEEM Then we went down
to supper. Nothing happened to us in
the dining-room, except eating: nothing
on the piazza, except staring at people,
and being stared at in return
Aunt Mary was tired, so we went up
to our rooms early. The hotel was so
full that we had been obliged to take
the only rooms we could get They
were on the same floor, but in different
passages yet they were so ueir that if
anything happened we could easily run
across the hall to Aunt Mary's room,
and hide under her wing. But there
was no probability of anything hap
pening.
Having listened to great deal of
good advice about not talking all night,
and of getting up early, Nelly and re
tired to our apartments.
Our room was not large, and had
only one window, but that window
opened down to the floor, and was
adorned by a small balcony, Just large
enough for two persons.
"How nice that is T. exclaimed Nelly.
We will put on our dressing gowns,
and sit here little awhile; it will be
lovely"
1t seemed nice and lovely to me also.
We prepared ourselves quickly; we
placed two chairs on the balcony,
turned off the gas, and were ready for a
confidential talk
There were other balconies to other
windows, but they were not occupied.
Still, it would be more prudent not to
speak loud, and whispering added the
charm of mystery to our little nothings.
There was no moon, but the night was
soft and clear, and, by the light of the
stars, we could just see each others
faces.
Nelly told me all about her love af
fairs; and how Aunt Mary did not ap.
prove of her lover because he was not
rich: Nelly had always been little
afraid OF our aunt, and now she seri-
ously considered herself victim.
Then told her all had to tell. How
our music-teacher was so handsome,
and had such black eyes and was lust
as nice as he could be. So we had called
her " Minerva" and | had written a
sonnet
wonder what time it is ?" said
Nelly, rather irrelevantly.
This reminded me of nv new watch
"Dear me! | have left nv satchel in
Aunt Mary's room, and my watch-ke is
ia it
Never mind" said Nelly "you can
get it tomorrow morning"
"Yes, but if | don't wind nm NV
watch, Aunt Mary will lecture eloouent.
cii IVA anu all the CnrlS-
tian vices. She always reads before
going to sleep. So | will get my satchel
now," said |, for | felt uncommonly
brave and witty that evening.
stepped out into the hall, and saw a
light under Aunt Mary's door, |
knocked, was admitted, and had to sub
nit to Il long lecture OH the subject Of
late hours, idle talk. etc AS | felt
rather guilty, promised solemnly that
would go to bed directly. | said good
night penitently, and rushed back to
our room.
Nelly was still on the balcony, dream
ing, | supposed.
Nelly" | said, ~ have promised
Aunt Mary that would 90 to bed at
once, so dare not go near you. But |
wish you would come soon, for am very
sleepy"
She did not answer.
l threw my dressing-gown on the
trunk; forgot to wind up my watch !;
and plunged into bed, feeling very good
and obedient.
Nelly, do please come. And, if YOU
are so Ioetical, | will tell you nv Son.
net to Minerva The girls said il was
real funny"