Smyrna times., 1873-11-19
Polly to tell you little story of her experience


On the following morning Mrs. Burnet met
her daughter, as usual making no ausion to
the circumstances Of the previous evening
In the afternoon they walked out to call at
Mrs. WinthrOp's having had an urgent invita-
tiOn to visit them. They remained to tea, and
spent the evening.
Polly, of whom Mrs. Burnet had spoken,
was Mrs. Winthrop's sister, She was maid
en- lady, past three-scOre, and had for many
years found home with her brother Her
| head was now Uivered and time had drawn
deep marks on her brow, but still there were
traces of beauty left in her face. During the
evening she came and took seat beside Louisa,
and after some commonplace remarks the old
| lady said in quiet way
Your mother told me that you would like
to hear little of my life history"
6 If you would please tell it, certsinly
should, for anything which you may deem
worthy of telling must be of interest, replied
| Louisa.
"Then let US walk in the garden. The moon
is up, and the air is warm and pleasant"
They went out, and when they had reached
the grapery they went into the arbor and sat
down.
"There is no need tina: should make any
preliminary remarks, continued Polly, " for |
| have come out on purpose to tell you short
story, and shall tell it to you as plainly and
simply as possible, and when have done you
may know why your mother wished that you
| should hear it.
When | was your age people called me
| handsome; but still, with all my faults, do
| not think was ever proud or vain | knew
that was good looking, and | meant to be
good. tried to do right, as | understood it,
and when l failed it was from lack of judg-
ment and proneness TO be thoughtless where |
should have been directly the opposite. When
was eighteen years of age George Ashton
asked me if | would be his wife. He was a
noble hearted, generous, upright man, and |
never experienced a sense of more blissful ioy
than when | bectme thus assured that his
hearts best love was mine. told him yes
and our vows were pEghted. We were to wait
year, and then if We continued to hold the
same purpose we were to be married. | don't
know as any one envied me, but do know
that in all the country around there was not
better man than was he who loved me- nor was
there one whose prospects in life were more
promising.
From my girhood up had been sort of
pet and tavorite in our social circles, and con
siderable attention was shown me from all
quarters. George was one of those honest
minded, practical men, who cannot anpear DIFF
ferent from what they really are, who follow a
true and just cause straightforward and frankly.
When he had proposed for my hand, and |
had promised to be his wife, he devoted his
entire attention TO me. 1t almost seemed that
he could not be attentive enough. When ont
upon our social pcnics and excursions he was
constantly by my side, anticipating my every
want. and ever ready to guard and assist me.
" allowed myself to feel that would like
title more of my old liberty; and even went
20 far as to feel annoyed by his close undivided
attention. 1t was thoughtless, reckless emo
tlon on my part, but was foolish enough to
give it place in my basOm. Some of nv fe
male friends Joked me on the subject and
hnaly determined that would not be quite so
closely tied to my lover. did not stop to ask
myself how | should feel if he were less atten.
tive to me; did not reflect that might have
been very unhappy had he bestowed his social
faVors upon others of my sex in short. did
not reflect at all. L was only seized with
reckless determination to be little more free
and independent
We had picnic in the grove near our vii
Iage. was buOyant and happy, aud laughed
and chatted with all who came in NV way
We had dance before dinner, and George
asked II intended to join in the amusement.
| told him certainly. He then took nv hand
and said he would bear me company / broke
from him with laugh, telling him at the same
time that was engaged to dance with another
tie was disappointed Icould see it at a glance
but ne took 1t in good nature. Before the |
second dance he came again, but again told |
him L was engaged. He BETRAYED no il.feeL |
ing at all, only could see the dsappointment |
In a little while L was among cOmpanv
OF laughing, joking, merry making friends of
both sexes who had been my companions for
years, and one Of the gentlemen said | must
20 to dinner with them. | knew that George
had made arrangements for me to take dinner
with HIM but what of that2 Should | be
tled to his sklrtsY No. | meant to be free
and told the man who made the pronosition
that l would go with him. must have heen
blind, as know | was foolish and wicked hut
l did not stop to think. When the dinner
nour arrived George came with happy, smiI-
ing, hopeful face and offered me his arm
For whatr' said l. For dinner. NV
DEAR, ne replied. Then told him was en-
gagged with another, and before his very face /
took the profered arm of the man to whom |
naq gwen my promise, remarking to my lover
as trlpped away, that he would have 10 find
some one else. | saw the look he gave me-a
look OF pain, modification, and OF reproach-
ana as l called It to mind after reached the
tabie, felt little uneasy but said 10 NV
sell, lie Will come around all right" and
thus tried to pass it off. Toward the latter
part OF the afternoon George came to me
again. lie asked me what meant by INV
treatment OF him; He was earnest and anx. |
that manner. NV :"
But, he urged, only tell me if you mean
" Yes" said /, "I do"
And he asked me what it was. | told him
l meant to teach him lesson. :"
:, lesson on what?'' he asked. t
Of good manners, said |. I want 10
teach you not to be too attentive to me. And
L added very thoughtessly, you annoy me "
lie did not answer me. saw his i'm univ.
er and his manly bosom heavc and as E he
.STned .Sr away the sunbeams that came through |
tears rolling down his cheeks. The imnnIse mi ~, ~
my heart ) g then 70 spring forward and de. /
tain him to ask his forgiveness and male
him happy. But,a foolish, whimsical pride pride
rresiralned me- | lot him 90 and tried to com.
come out all right. - "0uu u''