The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1875-11-25

D AZ Oh II 1AsA VI NAAN -
opinion | am of course unable f.
speak. The idea that /, "a Howard, D
) had been asked to become Nelly Bebb
or Nelly Blubber, sometimes eiicitee
would-be witty remarks from my
sisters; bat BY degrees the existence
; of Captain Bebb came to be totally
forgotten by every one except my
self
Meanwhile wedid not grow youuge'
as the years rolled quietly on, and as
! they went / became more and more
, conscious of the error had made IN
rejecting a man whom ] felt L could
nave loved and respected, simply be-
cause he was riGieuled by my sisters.
and bore the unarist JcrAtic name OF
Bebb.
Seven years hSd passed away still
We were "going out to parties" un-
willingly, but my sisters more per-
sistently than ever. Bat, alas times
had changed for US; partners were
no longer plentiful, and we were
obliged to be thankful to the few who
asked us tO dance, or offered TO escort
us to supper, and who were, generally
speaking, mere boys, whose nursery
days seemed like yesterday. How
ever. rather than return home with
out having danced at all, | was indeed
glad to take turn with them. But
on one particular occasion at ball in
the Assembly rooms, even the boys
failed us, aud the three Misses How
ard were standing together in most
pslpable family gfouP, when the en-
trance of large party gave us some
mOraentary Giyersion.
IL WAS the AylmerS Court party
Lord and Lady Aylmer, two or three
dowagers,a a bevy of fbright-eyed, pretty
girls, aud several gentlemen. Among
the latter who shculd recognize but
my old friend and rejected admirer,
Captain Bebb
He was looking remarkably well
happy and handsome; no resemblance
to q pIg was possible now surely, and
for an instant wild hope shot through
nv DOOR heart that he might see me
and speak to me again. He did see
me, but instinctively felt he hardly
recognized me.
Seven years had not improved me
with a bitter pang felt that. He
bowed, and passed on with a young
aud pretty girl leaning on his arm.
! On the modification of that evening
the wesry, desperate longing ! had
| to hide Inyself somewhere; bat there |
stood, a faded "wall-hOwer" youth
| fully attired in white tarlatan and
blue satin ribbons, unnOticed, neg
lectel, and, what felt still more, un-
cared for.
Whether he meant it or not, | could
not tell, but he seemed to he perpeta-
ally passing where l stood. AT last
my sisters consented to go home, and
Margaret having secured the arm OF q
weak-minded little curate, who offer-
ed his other arm to my mother, the
three walked slowly across the bali
room, followed by Inuisa-proud,
erect, and indignant at the want of
appreciation she had met with-and
myself, with dOwneast eyes and 3
burning face. The clOak-roOm SEEM
Ell haven to me, and the drive home
was comparatively bliss, although it
was embittered by remarks from my
sisters on the temperance of Captain,
or as he was now, Colonel Bebb, and
the announcement that "after all,
Nellie might have done worse"
Yes Nelly knew tnat now, as
many another foolish girl or elderly
young lady knows when it Is too late;
and in nv quiet corner a few heavy
tears dropped silently upon my Grim
son shawl, when l remembered how l
had allowed myself to be influenced
by ridicule to reject what / felt sure
would have secured the happiness OF
my life.
But our ball-days ended at last, for
our mother died, and after that Mar
fhn
world and devoted themselves to
mothers meeting, Bible resdir gs, the
various other laudable occupations,
to the great satisfaction OF the curate
have before mentioned. We settled
down to our little villa, and are now
three confirmed maiden ladies, with
out much to make Us care for life,
beyond the daily coiorless routine
which makes "each day twin image
of the last.n
Once a year we go for a month to
the seaside. During our last visit
there 1 became much interested in
some children, who, accompanied by
their nurse, used to make their ap-
pearance st an early hour every morn.
ing on the sands. L was so fond of
children that [ soon made their ac-
quaintsnce. Little Amy was four and
the elder girl about one year older,
whilst there was boy OF about two
Master Charley, as his nurse called
him. Itnever occurred to me to ask
what their surname was, though they
became quite confidential as to their
small affairs generally. Papa and
mamma were in London, but they
were coming down soon; and at
home they had all sorts uf posses
sions, from ponies and little basket
carriage, downward. Would like to
see them But what was my name
il did come?
"Helen," 1 answered, "but they
call me Nelly at home"
"That's my name," exclaimed the
elder child. "But what is your other
name ?n
"Nelly Howard" replied, much
amused at her pertinacity.
"Mine's Nelly Bsbb.- My papa is
Colonel Bebb, and he's got a Vic
tOria Cross and lots of medals"
"Your papa ~ L answered, stag
gered at her announcement, which /
found was indeed what 1 instantly |
supposed. They were the children OF
my rejected admirer, Captain Bebb.
The little group on the sands hat
strange fascination for me, after /
knew it, and furtively | conveyed
many little gifts to the children. But
our prescribed month was now over,
and though the weather was enchaht-
ing, our rules were those of the Medes
and Persians-gO home we must. So
we went; and my last glimpse, as we
drove to the station, was of my
three little friends-a joyous trio,
with Colonel Bebb, a shade stouter
than of old, but looking bronZed and
joviaI whilst beside him stood a
bright-fSced, pretty little woman,
who had accepted the happy fate
which /, in my senseless girlhoOd,
had declined. But it is over-regrets
are vain, and though my heart feels
young still, am fast fading into old
age new.
NV experiences rec Dried here may
make another wise, for out of the
depths of my bitter Disappointment
have written the short story Ofmy mis-
mistaken existence. For doubtless
there are many happy old maids
woman was not made to live a single
life. Home ties, family cares, troub-
les, and snxieties may be her lot; but
IL she is loved, and if she feels her
self the center of little kingdom
poor, perhaps, but smooth over the
troubles, and strong arm to shield
her from danger. With that around
her she is tower of strength I; she
possesses that which makes life's bit
tiers sweets nor can she ever have to
record what l, the poor neglected old
maid, do here, the historyof a Life's
Regret. Chambers Jo.trlGk.-7
KashIngtOn's Personal Appearance.
1t is remarkable fact that Wash
ington,s personal appearance, al
though well known to SO many, has
but rarely, il eyeF, been described by
HE hfafarfa nc Z Euan in TrufnOfr