Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-10-07
gu Original storg.
SLEEPY HOLLOW.
CHAPTER I.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
MY BITHDAY FETE.

NJ
On the morning of the eighteenth of May,
1S- q will leave your imagination to fill up
that blank, because it is not necessary for you
to know my exact age,) woke up with the
delightful consciousness that something un-
usually pleasant was in store for me. Rose
colored visions had been lowering about my
pillow in my sleep-mists of fancy interviewer
with golden beams and as opened my eyes
to the clear morning light, these visions re.
solved into definite form. The day was my
seventeenth birthday; and the something
pleasant that was looking forward to was
my birthday tste
When tell you that was an only child
-tha.. 10Y mother had hean dass' -r"s"y ye~-s--
and that was my fathers sole companion in
our cheerful country home, you will under
stand how it was that I was considered per-
SOD of sufficient Importance to have my en-
trance into womanhood celebrated with gaye-
ty and rejoicing. Our place lay on the out
skirts of a pretty village, and was by far the
finest for miles around, being extensive and in
picturesque locality and bearing witness, in
the tasteful adornment and careful cultivation
of the grounds, to the liberal management of
four consecutive generations of Lamberts.
Nv father was the last male of the name-at
least in our branch of the family; and | used
to ask him sometimes, jestingly, whether ne
was not sorry that was not boy.
"No, Rosy" was his invariable answer, 81
am we'll content to have you as you are. Ten
to one, if you were my son, you and would
quarrel when you grew to be man. You
know people say have difficult temper to
deal with"
"People say what isn't true," would an.
swer, casping my arms around his neck. AT
any rate, you and 1 will never quarrel will
we, papa?"
"Not till you get married." would be his
reply. "Keep your husband, when you get
one, out of my way. / shall be Jealous of any
one whom you love better than you do me" ,"
"But shall never love any one better than
you, papa; and if you are going to be jealous
/ will not get married at all"
"Don't make rash promises, child" he
would answer; and there the conversation
usually ended. But there was vein of truth
underlying his light words. He loved me so
much that the thought of ever giving me to
any one else filled him with actual pain. Per-
haps there was se6shness in this sort of love !;
but did not stop to analyze it then. l only
knew that my father was dear to me, that he
liked to see me happy, and gave me every.
thing I could desire.
On this morning of my birthday, I sprang
out of bed at an early hour, and having dressed
much more quickly than usual, ran down
stairs to my fathers study, where l felt sure
of finding him. He was not there, however
and in answer to my half:uneasy inquiries
one of the servants informed me that he had
gone out into the grounds, to direct the garden
er in arranging the festoons aid bouquets
which were to adorn them for the approaching
tste. Catching up my hat, 1 danced gaily
out upon the green lawn, and spied, at short
distance, my kind father returning toward the
house. magnificent cluster of rosebuds in
his hand.
"Here are some flowers as pretty as your.
SELF" he said, offering them to me as he kissed
me good.morning "rhey will be the most
becoming ornaments you can wear to-day"
Papa !" l cried reproachfully, "have you
forgotten my turquoise set ?"
"What turquoise set, chatterbox? | did
not know you had one," said papa, pinching
my cheek.
"No, of course I have not-but-didn't
you say"
stopped, uncertain, indignant, half ready
to cry, half vexed with myself for my own
folly. could not believe that he had forgot.
ten his promise, made to me year ago, and
more than once renewed since-and yet his
provokingly unconscious manner awoke q
harassing doubt in my mind.
"What did I say, Eosy?"
"Papa, don't tease!' burst forth, unable
to restrain my anxiety. "You know you told
me you were going to buy me the very pref
tiest turquoise set you could find in G..
Now have you got it?"
"Dear me! I believe I did make one such
rash agreement" said my father, rubbing his
forehead with perplexed look. "What am
1 to do? You see, Rosy, it's impossible for
me to get to C-and back in time for your
fte, even if were to start at once; so | am
afraid for to-day you will have to content
yourself with these namesakes of yours, in
stead. You must forgive the old man, my
daughter he is growing very forgetful."
"No, he isn't" 1 cried gleefully, re.assured
by certain sly twinkle in the corners Of his
eyes, which belied bis apologetic tone. "He
never forgets what he promises me. Come
along to the house with me, directly Sir, and
show me your present, or won't talk to you
again for week"
"No need to go so far," he rejoined, putting
his hand in the pocket of his coat-skirt, and
drawing from thence purple morocco case,
securely clasped. 81 had an idea that your
inquisitive nature would not brook suspense,
80 came prepared to meet your enquiries"
1 eagerly opened the case, which he placed
in my hands, and fairly screamed with delight.
There, Nesting on bed of white satin, was
the loveliest set of turquoise my eyes had ever
beheld-brooch, earrings, necklace and brace.
lets, complete.
"Oh papa, what darling you are. only
expected the brooch and earrings. Oh how
lovely. I can't thank you enough. Papa,
you are perfect love-"
He laughed at my enthusia asm.
"For my part, l think the flowers are twice
as pretty" he answered. However, am very
glad that you are pleased. Now, if you have
any admiration to spare for the beauties of
Nature, come and look at the flowers which
old Robert and have arranged yonder."
"That is Art, as we'll as Nature" l respond
ed, as with a fond look at my pretty blue
stones, proceeded to re,clasp the case that
contained them.
"A little art is necessary sometimes; and
in this instance think you will concur in my
opinion that it has been judiciously exer.
cised."
| almost forgot the turquoises, as we passed
the myrtle hedge that bounded the lawn, and
came in sight of the spot which had been Sc
lected as the scene of our festvities-of that
nort;on of Thorn at |east. which was to take