Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1875-04-02
NO. IA
The Belle Of the s'Branch''

II shall not remain in the city
another week. am resolved to have
my own way in this matter. 1t is s
shame to be shut up like this when al
my friends are enjoying the seashore
Yes, l shall leave the city on Saturday
| MY mind is made up, and when 1 re
solve upon plan, I never yield"
This spirited speech came from the
| lips of a pouting beauty. and was in
tended for the ears of her husband
who had been for the last half hour
absorbed in his newspaper and cigar.
He had not heard the first of the
speech, but was forcibly reminded of
the latter clause by the energy with
which it was uttered.
''To the seashore, Nettie? [ have a
plan in my mind, that I was to propose
this evening, which I think you will
like better
"What is it, George?"
''To board in the country during
the three warmest months"
SIN the country! For mercy's sake,
George, do not talk about the country;
place as gloomy as a churchyard,
and swarming with mosquitoes. I
should die of loneliness, to be banish-
ed from society for three months
''But shall be out every evening,
Nettie, and we shall have Sunday to
enjoy together, while if you go to the
seashore, shall not be able to, be with
you at all; besides the enormous ex-
pense of watering places, with the
fashionable style kept up there, would
be serious obstacle in the way"
cit need not be. am sure, George.
l know you can afford this little ex-
pense; and then, too, [ had rather
spend a fortnight at a general water
lng-place than three months in the
country. Live while we do live,' is
my MAXIM
81 hoped, Nettie, that you would be
pleased with my plan, for have taken
great pains to secure an agreeable
home for US, in pleasant family il
the midst of fine country village,
where there are plenty of trees and
woods, and handsome summer resi-
dences. You cannot possibly be lonely
there"
Nobody goes into the country.
George, only those who cannot afford
to go to the watering-places. All my
acquaihtances have gone to Newport
or the Branch and I am going too" !"
The next Saturday night found Net
tie domiciled at one of the most fash
ionable hotels at the Branch. 3"
Ge9oge did not regret the effort he
had made to crafty his wife when he
saw how happy she was made by it.
Nettie Was pretty, and exceedingly
charming in her appearance; a woman
Just fitted to be petted and spoiled, as
there are people to do it. Her faults
had been engrafted into, not born in,
her character. God had given her
the great gift of beauty, and
her parents, her associates and
instructors, felt privileged to assail
her young nature by praise and
fattery; to check every generous
impulse by. constantly pampering
to her childish whims and desires.
When she grew up she was more
beautiful and winning, and as she de-
veloped in grace and beauty, just as
SO much more was she spoiled by those
about her.
Nettie found many of her friends
awaiting her at the Branch who, hav-
ing gone before her, were ready to in
troduce her into the pleasures of the
season. Her beauty and charming
ways were exceedingly attractive to
strangers, and she soon found herself
by admirers. She had not
forgotten, during the two years of her
welded life, her little arts of coquetry,
and knew very well how to control
homage.
Before she had been a week at the
hotel, Nettie was unanimously voted
the "Eelle of the season"
This was very fattering position to
sustain, and in the midst of this tide
of admiration, she forgot what little
good sense nature had spared to her,
and plunged headlong into fashion and
pleasure. 4 crowd of attendants were
pressing their services upon her. Her
talent for music was brought into use,
and no songs were more applauded as
those of the charming Nettie.
In the midst of this homage, Nettie
was awakened from her dream by a
letter from George. 1t breathed only
kindness and love. He was happy be-
cause she was enjoying herself so much.
He wrote in so cheerful a tone that it
reassured Nettie, and gave her courage
to make new demands upon his exer-
tions. More money was seriously
of clothing. The belle of the season
adornings. To excite the pride of her
husband, she sent paper containing
an account of the last ,fete, in which
her name shone most conspicuous of
all the bright stars in that galaxy of
beauty.
George received this letter in his
worn out with over
work, and its contents were anything
but gratifying to him. He had dis
missed one of his clerks to lessen ex-
penses, and was performing the extra
labor himself. He had not found time
to leave the city for day, but worked
early and late, and with renewed dili-
gence, to make up for the unusual de-
mands upon his purse. The money
was sent with a gentle remostrance,
and deep anxiety least she should be
injuring her health by this excess of
dissipation. He limited at the time of
her return, and proposed to go for her
whenever she would appoint the day
of her departure
Nettie had no desire to leave place
where she was winning such golden
Eonors. It was not a slight thing to
be the s'Belle of the Branch" and con
sequently theEobject of Jealous envy to
more wealthy ladies than herself.
A fortnight passed on, and the gay
belle found no time to send a message
to her husband, not even to assure
him of her health and safety. Poor
George! he was now reaping 81 small
part of the retribution that was follow
ing upon the heels OF his own misguid-
ed love. She lived, as she had been
taught to live, only on excitement and
admiration.
Among the many admirers of the
Long Branch belle was a Spanish
Count, who had lost all but his title
and ancestral blood through some I'M
looked for change in his native coun-
try, and therefore came to America.
he was accomplished and proposes
sing in appearance. and excelled IN
music. With these external advantages,
he made himself very attractive to
Nettie. In fine, he was the favored
attendant.
The fortnight at the seashore extend
ed to summer It was not possible
for Nettie to tear herself away from the
enchanting round of pleasure.
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