Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1875-08-08
Unconscious Fascination.

Theinfluence which some people possess,
almost unconsciously, over others is so
marked as to be undonbted There are
people so constituted that their oppositcs
in temperament seem to have perfect
control over them, leading them, at times,
into by paths against their better judg-
ment. For my part, never condemn the
boy or girl, man or woman, who is thus
led astray. One might as well blame the
bird that tiutters into the serpent's mouth
to become food for the monster. 1t is
conscious of its danger, and in mortal
terror of its adversary, and seems unable
TO resist the fascination that is leading ii
to destruction. The serpent knows its
power over the bird; so some men and
women know their power over other men
and women. Again, this power is used
unconsciously, sometimes for good and
sometimes for evil. How often do we
listen spell bound to speaker, and won
der afterwards why it was so; recalling
nothing but commonplace remarks, and
feeling conscious that We have wearied
while hearing better discourses. To H.
lustrate the power of fascination pos
sessed by some people over others, in
tend to give bit Of life history, which
may set the reader to thinking, if it does
no greater good.
Some twelve years ago, in small city
in northern Wisconsin, resided Mccain
family, the proud but poor descendants
of once famous house of Scots. 1t had
a long lineage of ancestors, which its pres
'ent members delighted in rehearsing to
the few people they called friends This
family consisted of the parents, one son,
and four daughters, all grown up with one
exception; though the third daughter,
Belle, whose history am going to give.
was scarcely more than a child in years,
only fifteen of which had been counted in
her life. She was large for her age, and
we'll developed, inclining to be rather
stout and flesly. She was blonde of
the fairest type, possessed of an easy, low
ing disposition, and had more than
average intelligence fora girl of her years.
The elder sisters were married and had
homes of their own. Ella, the oldest of
the four, resided in the town of -,
and Lillian, the second, on farm twelve
miles from 5 -.
After the marriage of her sisters, Belle
found her home lonely. Mrs. Mccain
mourncd over her lost wealth and station,
and was so harsh that she became an I'M
congenial companion for her children.
Mr.. Mccain was kind, but he was an easy
sort of n man, who never interfered with
his wife in any of her moods; and though
the children losed and chung to him lie
had no power to ward off the mothers
lnr fhAtx
seem, Mrs. McCann's i'll willfell upon the
gcntlest of the flock, her daughter Belle,
who was never brave enough to contra
dietary one, or even to set her will against
that Of her mother. She was fair to look
upon, had light, curling hair, blue eyes,
and small features. She was given to ro-
nance, and delighted in novels which had
robber heroes. She had some talent. of
literary character, which might have
won for her, If improved, some notice in
the world. She was not gloomy person,
but was unhappy athomc. Her very meek
ness only angcred her mother. The mar
ricd sisters, seeing how matters stood, re-
solved to take her to S., and there
educate her. They had great hopes for
her future. Though they had married
commonplace men themselves they prOph.
csied golden future for hcr. The propo-
sition pleased the mother and the change
was made.
While at school in s., Belle made
remarkable progress in her studies, prov
ing herself to bo a steady and an apt
pupil. But she continued her novel read
ing and dreamed of daring hero who
would snatch her from her friends and
make her queen of a pirates castle.
"rhere he goes!" she exclaimed ono
summer evening, glancing upfrom novel
she was reading.
"Whor asked (Thcy were neigh
bors OF mine and had run in" for a
short calD.
MY hero" she answered with laugh.
looked out. In a sulky, driving leis-
Irely along, was man answering to her
80 L. a