Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-09-04

any time was we'll: for my nerves
were in such state! They needed
quieting
The next evening, as ii the fates
were on my side, l met-my destiny,
Fin theperson of cadaverous looking
individual who called himself Jede-
diah Peters. always admired high
sounding names, and this one, espe-
cially-it was so euphonious, and s4-
voured so much of antiquity. I ad-
mired the man, too, not for his hand
some face Che was plain, and no mis-
take but for his regal carriage, Che
was full six feet six, and carried him
self with the air of a king,) and for
his dainty white hands, and taper
fingers, that were always decked with
three or four costly rings. Then he
wore such an elegant watch and cham
q dote on jewelry). and such a love
of cane. Oh, yes, | would certain
! ly become Madame Peters. i en-
couraged him, for he was rather diiS-
dent and needed help, and soon / had
him in my power. The fateful even
ing arrived. I knew by certain un-
mistakable signs that he intended to
propose, and I was ready for it. !
should accept. OF. course, for I had set
my heart on him and his fifty thous-
and a year (and, girls, I remembered
the grey hair); but I did want to go
through one more act in the role OF
the coquette, that I had learned SO
well, before I lost my freedom forever.
1 found that had not lost my relish
for such scenes. I did so to my. sor-
row. Jedediah came, and, as l had
anticipated, proposed.
Abigail" said he, "you know |
dote on you. Will you be my wife p
"Your wife, Jededish Peters? How
dare you ?" I exclaimed. At'the same
time, I was dying to fall upon bis
shirt bosom, and say. Here I am
take me"
abigail" he whimpered, II
thought you loved me. Have. you
been deceiving nae all this time? II
you have, I'll shoot myself"
| He didn't look much Like it. 1t
would require more timely moral
courage than he possessed, / thought.
Glove you'll" I echoed, "do you
expect me to love a snob ?-one whose
highest ambition is to wear a gold
chain, and fi1t about cane?'
1 was even then secretly admiring
the cane, and flashing envious glances
upon, the chain.
Well, the weak man actually be-
came ghastly. What was the use OF
taking it so hard? I steeled my heart,
however, thinking that I would soop
heal the wound with kisses and hon
eyed words.
He spoke again, in terribly harsh
tones, 1 thought.
"Do you mean to say, Abigail
Skinner, that you refuse my offer ?"
Certainly, sir. Doyou doubtitF'
He. muttered something about
heartless coquette," unparalleled
audacity," and, before I had time to
utter word he marched out of the
house. Then l burst into loud peal
of laughter, which he must have
heard. for he turned partially round,
and then quickened his step onward.
Tomorrow he would come again, l
thought. and perhaps tonight. I had
provoked him, but he loved Re and
would soon get over it, and then |
would make 1t all right. He would
enjoy the joke in the end, tho it was
death now.
Tomorrow came, but not Jedediah
Peters. l felt little uneasy; but
then, thought bis anger hadn cool
ed. He will come tomorrow. He
was coxcomb, anyhow, and wouldn't
be much of a loss, if I was sweet six
teen or thereabollts. Do you think,
girls, that I would have deigned to
look at him had it not been for that
grey hair? Not l. But when wo-
man sees her youth departing, and
lovers forsaking her, also, it is no
time to be fastidious.
Well, day or two passed. The
third day 1. had headache and fear
tnl forebodings. The fourth day a
gossipping neighbor came in. Almost
the first words she uttered were
Have you heard the news? Jede-
diah Peters has married Sally Good
rich, and they sailed for Europe to.
day"
seemed at once to become petri-
6ed, and lay lifeless lump upon the
floor. When I came to myself, I had
time to think, and my thoughts were
anything but pleasant. My hopes
were crushed entirely. My troubles
wore upon me, and very soon l be,
came old and wrinkled and grey, and
! spiritless and sour. I am snubbed
i L III -.1 Ii.