The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1873-05-15
LOST.
tsLost! lost! lostnl


How beautiful she was in her superb
calmness, so graceful, so mild, and yet so
majestic! All [ was a younger man
then, of course. than [ am now, and pos
sibly more impressible; but L thought
her then the most perfect creatare | had
ever beheld. And even nol0, looking back
through the gathering mists of time and
the chilling frosts of advancing age, and
recalling what she was, | indorse that
earlier sentiment-she lives in my memo
ry now, as she lived in my presence then,
as the most perfect creature ever beheld.
But, alas l say it not in pride, not in
exultation, but in very sadness of heart,
hers was ''the fatal gift of beauty" and
fatal, indeed, in her case it proved. 1t
was a snare to her feet; it was her ruin
and her overthrow. | firmly believe it
was her leauty which led to her destruc-
ton. Had she been less beautiful, less
winning, she might still have been
But why do anticipate? will tell you
the short sad story, and you may judge
for yourselves. Poor thing poor young
thing! Perhaps you will think, as have
persuaded myself to do, that she was
innocent-the victim and not the GRIM
inal-" more sinned against than sim
ming" But l will tell the sad story as
impartially as l can, and you may judge
for yourselves only remember she was
but mortal, and so are you, and judge
leniently, as you would wish to be
judged. 1 shall never forget the first
time | beheld her. cannot tell you just
how long ago it was it does not seem so
very long a time to me, for | am an old
man now, and to the old time slips rapidly
by. Yes, am an old man now, and
was not young man then-at least had
begun to look upon myself as a confirmed
old bachelor G believe my young
nephews, Frank and Charlie, had been
looking in that way for some time; but
young folks do not always know as much
as they think they do)-when certain
business matters compelled me to leave
my own quiet, somewhat secluded, but
beautiful residence in the country, to re
side for six months in the, to me, distastc
full hustle of the city.
Old bachelors are said to be particular
and proverbially hard to suit; and dare
say it is true-at least know | found il
very hard to suit myselfin city boarding
house, even though it was to be (thanI
Heaven for that y only very temporary
home.
1 got list ofall the best boarding-house'
in town, and l took them all in regular
course like medical drugs; but 1.-THE faul
might have been in mel do not say it was
not) / found objections at every place
some decidedly necessary element OF com
fort was lamentably wanting, or some un
necessary element of discomfort was la
mentally obtrusive, to suit the fastidiou
taste of a man who, in the luxury of hi
own home, had been pampered and petteC
and humored by an idolized only sister: /
was not in the nature OF things that
should be easy to suit.
At last, having nearly reached the clos'
of my list, as well as the measure of my
hopefulness, Iwent to Mrs. Honeywold's s
and there, in her small, unpretending es
tablishment, l. General Leslie Anchester
having been subdued, trust, to a prope
and humble state of mind by my past ex
peIiences, agreed to take up my abode
The situation was an excellent one, cen
tral and easily accessible, but not too pub
lie; the house small, but neat, tasteful
and home like. My landlady, who had
she said, no other boarders, was quiet
well-meaning, kindly woman. l had beel
told she was what is termed "a decaye,
gentlewoman;" but there was certainly n
appearance of decay in her bright, intelli
gent face, quick, light step, and erect fig
ure so IcOnclude the term was tigurativ
and financial. My chamber was pleasan
one, and faultlessly neat in all its appoint
ments; the table abundant, and we
served; and if it was not home to me,
came nearer to it than my late explors
tions had left me any hope of.
And it was there l first met her! tn
indulgent reader must bear with me If i
this little narritive l forbear to give an
other name than the personal pronoun
have used already. When you reach th
close of my story you will, l think, III
derstand and appreciate my reticence upo
this point. Perhaps she had no Leg
right to the name we called her by.
question if she had I; and even if she hac
why should /, at this late date, give pal
by a needless disclosure? Why drag fort
into light events which tie slow ashes
time have drifted over and partially obli
Grated? Perhaps
''There are to whom that name was dear
For love and memory's sakej
When these the voice OF Rumor hear,
Their inmost heart shall quake.
How will they hope, despair, and grieve-
Believe and long to disbelieve-
But never cease to ache;
Still doomed in sad suspense TO bear
The hope that keeps alive despairF'
She was sitting in the drawing-roo
when went in-sitting near the windoS
but not at it-near enough to see, but m
to be seen by the passers-by; and as m
eye first rested upon her was struC