The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1874-01-23
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bIOS u ulcC6 VI OON' w eSb Sc
To say that l was pleased with IL
entertainment and the attentions
received, would express very faint
my delight. / was charmed, intox
Gated with it, and loyal as 1 was,
scarcely gave one thought to my al
sent husband, who, at the time
sought my stateroom, was ridia
fearlessly through the storm of mic
night in obedience to orders.
The day on which my husban
expected to return came and passe,
and the next also; still he came not
and /, though accustomed to disap
pointments of this character greV
restless and uneasy.
To return the compliment to tn,
Officers, Governor West had ISSUED
Invitations to ball, to be given a
his residence just one week from tn,
might of ours.
III A number of the elite from thc
Ineighboring city had been invited
land the affair promised to be very
$, brilliant one.
This may be thought very short
time in which to prepare for ball,
but it must be remembered that the
boats were daily expected to leave
the station, and there was no time to
spare.
"Ofcourse you will CO." said Mrs.
Stanhope to me.
81 am undecided" replied. "If
my husband returns it shall be as he
says. If he does not return 1 hardly
expect to co.
"But you are in my charge" said.
Lieutenant Morris, 'and I, as your
guardian, shall insist on your go
ing"
"Stop, Lieutenant! AS / under
stand it, 1 was only put in your
charge for that evening"" I answered
playfully.
ooh, no, Mrs. B. There was no
time specified. You are still under
the shadow of my wing"
We bantered each other for a time.
l far from feeling the gay spirits Il
assumed; for secretly l wished very
much to attend the bali, and l knew
if my husband returned, going was
doubtful. The day passed, and an
Iother, when instead of my husband
there came this dispatch:
81 am unexpectedly detained. It.
Twill be impossible for me to be with
you for at least ten days. Mean
time enjoy yourself as best you can.
Lieutenant Morris will see that you
are comfortable"
At any other time 1 should have
been ready to cry at the prolonged
absence of my husband, but l con
lfess to secret qualification upon re-
ceiVing the dispatch. He could not
be at home in time for the ball, and
he not only expressed a desire for
me to enjoy myself ? 1 showed the
dispatch to Mrs. Stanhope, who in
stantly advised me to accept the es-
cort Of the Lieutenant and attend
Ithe ball. Think it was knowledge
that she would thus advise me that
prompted me to show her my letter.
Still l did not feel at rest. had a
sort of pride that rebelled against
lappearing in society without my hus-
band; but Mrs. Stanhope's arguments
and the Lieutenant's entreaties at
length scattered my scruples, and I
resolved to go.
My early life-my girlhood days
had been passed in strict seclu-
Ision, and my husbands quite tastes
had made my married life almost as
SOLITARY in regard to society. Is it
.lso much of a wonder then that 1 was
almost carried away by its gay
scenes?
The evening came, and in compa-
my with DR.. Stanhope and wife and
Lieutenant Morris l went to the ball.
The Lieutenant was exceedingly at
tentive, and l receivep many atten-
tions from others; still was i'll at
ease. Several times I caught myself
wondering if people would think me
unmarried; or worse still, has wife;
and once or twice l faHcied that the
Lieutenant half smothered the Mrs.
when introducing me to his friends.
"Have you enjoyed the evening,
Mrs. B?" he inquired as we walked
homewards.
"Oh, very much" 1 replied with
much fervor.
81 hope nothing will keep you
away from such gathering in the fu
ture."
"That is more than I can promise
myself. You know that Captain B.
does not enjoy balls.
"But it is unfair to keep you from
them. Perhaps in his young days
he was more favorable towards
them"
perhaps So" I replied; "but is he
ian old man yetr'
"That depends upon what COM
Iparisons one might make" he re-
piled.
I saw, or fancied saw, in his re-
mark an allusion to the disparity in
our ages, but I made no reply.
The next day brought my hus-
band.
"Do you care that 1 went?" ask
ed after I had told him how 1 had
lemployed nv time,
"Not at all. It is very lonesome
here even when I am with you; it
must be intolerable when l am gone.
1 am glad my little girl enjoyed it."
"There is to be a horseback party
tomorrow" nervously toying with
the buttons of his coat.
"Is there? Well?"
"Shan we goS' l asked.
sit would be hardly any pleasure
for me, as have been in the saddle
for nearly ten days"
Although said nothing, my face
must have expressed my disappoint-
ment, for he very soon said:
do you wish to go, Clara?p
every much"
would you be satisfied to go with
out meY'
Hardly"
"Then suppose we stay at home.
l should enjoy reading this volume