Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1875-10-26
MIsGELLANE Gus.
HATTIE HYDE.

81 AM Hattie Hyde, an7 cid maid, at least
. not q young one, aud Iintend TO remain
But came very near getting married last
Spring and 1 will tell you how it happened.
|, N thirty>fve, aud not absolutely very
ugly-ut least, when look in the glass, I
see reflected there good fresh complexion,
sparkling hazel eyes. and an abundance of
brown hair. r-r
might have married two or>three times,
only wasn't reslly in love. ~.
But when Clarence Raymond came down
to spend the vacation with his auut-Mrs.
Richford-I must confess to little womauly
futter around tho heart, for he was tall and
handsome, and in short just the hero of 70.
nance that had always dreamed about
Hattie" said Mrs Riehford-we were
qnite confidential frinds, and called one
another Hattie and PAMELA, and borrowed
each Others books. and all SORTS of things
"EiatIie, l think Clarence rather faucies you"
''Do you Z" said l, feeling the tell, tale
bushes coming into my face, and my heart
began to thump beneath the pretty lace tuck
ers of Valercennes and pink ribbon that l
had taken to wearing every day.
II am certain of it." said Mrs Richford !;
''and how nice it will be to have you for
cousin"
Yea"
1t was very nice to be engaged.
He gave lovely cameo ring. choicer and
more antique than any diamond could have
been.
L. bad been his mothers ring, he said, and
he repeated the most delicious poetry, and
vowed that it expressed the very sentiments
Of his heart.
AMI we had wanderiugs in tho cool, fern
scented woods, aEd began to wonder wheth-
er should be married in white satin OF q
dove colored travelling dress, aud pink ribbons
in my hat
One evening, just after Clarence had re-
city, old Uncle Elnathan come TO visit me.
Uncle Eluathsn was one of those persons
of whom we are apt to ask, why were they
ever created 2"
He was . venerable old gentleman, with
long silver hair that fell over the collar of his
bottle green coat, and cloth CATERS that irre>
sistihly reminded one of black pussy cat.
and he took snuff aud talked through his nose.
Harriet" said Uncle Elusthau, is this
true ?"
..Is what true, Uncle !'
ff'All this fol de>rol about your being en-.
gagged to a man ten yearsyounger than yourself.
Harriet! Harriet! I thought you had bet,
ter sense" 80
ITS only FIVE yesrs, Uncle said I, -pout.
ing. '.and suppose that have a right tn get
engaged without sending to you for permit ;"
'Harriet. this is not suhject to be flip
pant about, said Uncle -Einsthan. "You
may depend upon il tha. this y..ung man is a
mere fortune hunter. You have property,
Harriet, and no has found it ont"
''UncIe!' cried, starting mp, 81 will
not listen tamely to such sspersions upon the
character of one who"
''Well, my dear, you needn't get excited"
said the intolerable old gentleman, tapping
his hand upon the lid of his silver snutF-bOx.
You are not child, Harriet. nor yet a sen
timeutai school girl Let's talk the matter
calmly over" --a. .-..,
81 decline TO discuss it. sir" was INV dig,
nifed reply. "My mind is made up. and no
,monut of meddling interference can induce
me tn alter 1t. sss-s7 -
- but sren't you just a little pert towards
So my Uncle went away. silver hair, snuff
bog, pussy-gaiters, aud all. and i sat down to
make memorandum of the things should
require for my wedding outfit. For 1 had
fully resolved TO make-sn- especial visit TO.
London on. that business.
All, the delight of reveIling over countries
full OF choice, fimy iaceE, bitinws of bridal
silk, oceans of tulle lit brought the color to
my cheeks only to think of It. p -
And. besides. was it not 6eees.ary that
Ciarence's wife should have all that custom
revuirsi ysssL a. -s1-fs bs--sz'-s ssEd