Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-10-10
A BACHELORS STORY.

N DAChELOh' - 0lOhls
AM an old bachelor. At sixty-five l
can say shall never be anything else;
but, like all other men-all l have ever
met, at least-I have loved, and hoped to
be happy with my chosen bride,
That passion and those hopes faded
forty years ago. Since then / have done
penance for the hasty act of one night. l
have Stunned the society of women, and
forbade myself the shadow of hope that
might patch my shattered joys with new
ones.
At the age of twcnty-four l was clerk
in the establishment of Messrs. Carp IL
Cavil, lawyers. l had energy and ambi.
tion, health and portunity--everything
in fact, that could be wished for by a man
who hoped to fight his way up in the
world and win wealth and reputation.
l was engaged to Grace Hunter, a
pretty, delicate creature, so quiet that her
pet name, Snowflake, seemed to be the
only one suitable for her. Her step was
noiseless, her movements soft her voice
mellow and low. She never herself en-.
tertained large company by her conver-
sation, nor did any one of those things
that give woman reputation for bril-
liancy; but her mental powers were very
fine, and in tete-a-tete she was enchant-
ing. A lady to the hearts core; in my
eyes, at least perfect beauty, she might
have been forgotten in roomful of gig
Cling, chattering girls.
l adored her. | had felt that her love
was a jewel worthy of an emperor's
wearing, and scarcely dared to utter the
words that told her all felt. Even now
her high-bred reserve kept me at a dis
tance. was proud of her. l felt un-
worthy of her. She was at once the saint
whom revered and the being whom it
was to be my delight to cherish and pro-
tect until death should part us.
Six months had passed since she had
promised to be mine. At the end of six
more she was to give me her hand. had
a small salary, but my grandmother had
left me legacy which would enable me
to go to housekeeping in plain but COM
Portable style, and Grace was willing to
fight.life's battles by my side.
Life seemed bright and joyous to me on
that night of mild winter, forty years
ago, when l walked through the streets
with Grace upon my arm, and looking
down at her in her white wrappings, with
CLEANS of frosty starlight touching her
black hair, wondered if the angels were
fairer than she.
We were going to spend the evening at
mutual friends residence. There was
to be music and dancing and cards, and a
sociable supper. l went because Grace
desired to go.
talked sang; turned the music
for musical ladies; l walked through the
Lancers. AT last l found myself flirting
with one of the female guests.
There are women man is obliged to
flirt with. He does not admire them, re-
spect them, or love them one whit; he
does not even desire their society; but
he must be more than man ere he can re-
fuse to respond to their advances. One of
these women l know now, having played
the locker on for so many years, can
make any man appear to other wO-
men desperately in love with her, while
he almost detests her. A woman of that
kind was among the company. She had
hands that delighteds in soft touches of
hands masculine; eyes that could cast
glances bright and enhancing. She pos
sessed attraction rather than beauty.
What she said was nOthin; her conversa-
tion had no interest, but l knew that l
seemed absorbed by her-that really
was absorbed; in two words, that | tlirt-
ed abominably with her.
Grace, meanwhile, sat apart from me.
She talked to others in her low, sweet
tones. Once she sang pretty love-song.
Quite calm and selfpOssessed, with no
appearance of noticing my conduct, the
thought that it troubled her never oc-
Cured to me. So that when the evening
was over, and we had left the house to-
gether, was astonished beyond measure
to see an offended look upon her face, and
to hear an offended tone in her voice. |
offered her my arm. She rejected it, re-
plying that the ground was damp, and
that her hands were occupied with her
dress, but knew that this was merely
an excuse; and feeling myself in the
wrong, and having swallowed more wine
than l should at the supper-table, grew
very angry.
",May I ask what I have done ?" 1
said.
"You knoww said Grace.
al know!" repeated. NAY, | know
nothing of woman's fancies. You must
explain"
IL scarcely think it worth WHILE" said
she. I" If you do not know that you have
done wrong tonight, really should not
care. You have neglected me, and de.
voted yourself to that vulgar woman. |
heard lady near me say that you seemed
to be tired of your bargain. She thought
that you were in love with that creature
So did other people, Under the circum
stances, have right to feel offended, in,
suited"
Perhaps she thought / would deny her
charge, Perhaps she expected me to
plead for pardon. God knows what pos
sessed me. / answered only:
MAY not talk to a pretty woman be
cause hope to marry you some dayY"
You were tlirting-almost making love
to her." she replied
"She is the sort of woman with whom
men fall in love-" said; " irresistible in
her manner, I've heard she makes con
quests everywhere; don't doubt it,"
Grace looked at me with stern face
white in the starlight as a marble statue.
"Other women are always jealous o.
such women" added.
~ am not jealous of her." she said. 81
would not be like her for kingdom. She
is terrible woman. But since you ad
mire her so you are free TO tell her 81
after you have seen me to my door"
"Grace p said.
"Miss Hunter, if you please, Mr.
Rutherford" said she. owe have botl
made a little mistake, easily rectited
that is alln
! felt, as stood looking at her, that thu
effect of the wine had drank was stronge
upon me than had thought, but l gav'
no heed TO the warning of my giddy hea(
and rapid pulse,
"Just as you please" / said. 81 shoulC
think Jealous woman would curse an,
mans life I'll go now won't trouble
you longer. Good-by,"
We were not at the door of her home
we were about half block from it; but