Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-12-02

Il
glad when he told me he was quartered
at Norton olgate for some months to
come
To be brief, after several meetings, Capt.
Bebb, whose name had transpired in my
family, began to pay me marked attention !;
but although in my utmost heart l liked
him, still | was well aware that for a
Howard" to ally herself with Bebb
would be regarded as an impossibility by
my family.
He came TO call-endeavored to ingra-
tate himself with my mother and sisters
sent me bouquets, books, music, and, In
fact, did all he could to show his prefer
ence, which in my heart of hearts would
fam have shown was mutual. But how
could IL My sisters, alarmed by my evi.
dent leaning toward him, instituted q sys-
tenn of ridiculing him which, had he Only
family guessed, would, | felt sure, have
prevented him from ever again entering
our house
His personal appearance was stigma
TIED as the most vulgar that had ever been
seen; his hair, which was really brown,
was always alluded to as carrots, and
a shuddering ut frequently overlook
Louisa, as she described the horror she
had experienced when, on one fatal oc-
casion, he had shaken hands with her,
and his hot, clammy clasp had almost
given her fit.
Perhaps, owing to this, his name de-
generated from Bebb into Blubber, and
several times my mother herself narrowly
escaped addressing him as such, so per
sistently was he called it behind his back.
A dead pig having been found one
morning in the sty, | was strongly adj
vised to go down to see the likeness,
which, from my Partially for Blubber, my
sister felt sure would be interesting To me.
| am ashamed TO confess that | had not
the moral courage to refute those un-
called-for calumnies; these incessant,
cruel taunts were enough for me; and
when | did receive a proposal of mar
riage from Capt. Bebb my answer may be
imagined. / refused him, and cried my
self to sleep for many nights afterward.
But the deed was done, and Capt. Bebb
was not the one TO ask again, and | heard
soon afterward that he had left Norton
Folgate.
Seven years had passed away-still we
were going out 10 parties" i unwilling
~, but my sisters more persistently than
ever. But, alasl times had changed for
us; partners were no longer plentiful,
and we were obliged 10 be thankful to the
few who asked us to dance or offered to
escort us to supper, and who were, gener-
ally speaking, mere boys, whose nursery
days seemed like yesterday. However,
rather than return home without having
danced at all, was indeed glad to take a
turn with them. But on one particular
occasion, at ball in the Assembly Rooms,
even the boys failed us, and the three
Misses Howard were standing together in
3 most palpably family group, when the
entrance OF a large party gave US some
momentary diversion.
1t was the Aylmers Court party-Lord
and Lady Aylmer, two or three dowagers,
a bevy OF bright-eyed, pretty girls and sev
eral gentlemen. Amongst the latter, who
should | recognize but my old friend and
rejected admirer, Capt. Bebb!
He was looking remarkably we'll hap
by and handsome: no resemblance to a
pig was possible now, surely, and for an
instant a wild hope shot through my poor
heart that he might sec and speak To me
again. He did see, but instinctiyely felt
he hardly recognized me.
Seven years had not improved me-with
a bitter pang felt that. He bowed and
passed on with young and pretty girl
leaning on his arm. Obi the mortifica-
ton Of that evening-the weary, desperate
longing had to hide myself somewhere ;
but there stood, faded " wallfower,"
youthfully attired in white tarlatan and
blue satin ribbons, unnouced, neglected
and, what / felt far more, uncared for.
Whether he meant il or not could not
tell, but he seemed TO be perpetually pass
ing where | stood At last my sisters con-
scented 10 go home, and Margaret, having Sc
cured the arm of a weak minded little cur
ate, who offered his other arm TO my mother,
the three walked across the ball room, fol-
lowed by Louisa-proud, erect, and indig-
nant at the want OF appreciation she had
met with-and myself with downcast eyes
and burning face. The cloak-room
seemed haven TO me and the drive home
was comparative bliss, although il was
embittered by remarks from my sisters on
the temperance of Capt, or, as he was
now, Col, Bebb, and the announcement
that, after all, Nelly might have done
worse"
Yes; Nelly knew that now, as many an.
other foolish girl or elderly young lady
knows when 1t Is too late and, in my
quiet corner, few heavy tears dropped
upDn "uIb
remembered how had allowed myself To
be influenced, by ridicule, to reject what
l felt sure would have secured the happi-
ness of my life.
But our ball-deys ended at last, for our
mother died, and after that Margaret and
Louise gave up the gay world, and de.
voted themselves 10 mothers meetings,
Bible readings and various other laudable
occupations, to the great satisfaction OF the
curate | have before mentioned We
settled down in our little villa, and are
now three confirmed maiden ladies, with
out much to make us care for life beyond
the daily colorless routine which makes
4" each day twin image Of the last"
Once year we go for a month to the
seaside, and during our last visit there !
became much interested in some children,
who, accompanied by their nurse, used TO
make their appearance at an early hour
every morning on the sands. 1 was so
fond of children that i soon made their
acquaintance. Little Amy was four, and
the elder girl about year older, whilst
there was boy Of about twO-Master
Charley, as his nurse called him. IL
never occurred TO me 10 ask what their
surname was, though they became quite
confidential as to their small affairs gen.