The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1875-05-15

ribbon but Red Riding Hood hau las
tened in her wayy hair bunch o
scarlet leaves of the wild plum, which
like some GOV maiden blushing at tn
first approaching step Of her lover, turn
crimson as wintor draws near. Nothing
could have been more becoming thar
these. There were several who whls
pared among themselves, and sneereC
at this simple head-dress but any on'
Of them would willingly have exchanged
their fine ribbons tor tinted leaves
could the effect have been only ST
charming.
Neither did Red Riding Hood lack fol
attentions by any means, for there wa,
always crowd gathered about her, even
while others sat in solitude, deserted wall
flowers, and among the train of admir-.
ers Hugh Maythorn, the bravest, hand.
someest fellow in all the country round
and who eXcelled all others, whether in
harvest-feld or merry-making. There
were none who competed with him Ill
athletic or daring deeds;
Half the girls of the neighborhoed
had in the peculiar vernacular of the
chattering danes been making eyes at
him, although he was but the possesser
of few well cultivated acres just over
the hills, where he lived in a modest
cottage with his widowed mother.
Red Riding Hood had never before
met him, for his mother and her own had
borne for many years grudse against
each other, and there had been no visit
ing done between the two families.
twas Hugh Maythorn, who. struck
with admiration ut her young, sweet
face, claimed the first dance with Red
Riding Hood, and, although she express
ed her unwillingness to undertake n
thing. in which She was so little skilled
he insisted that she should try, and
allow hum TO guide her through the
figures that are intricate enough To
those who are familiar with them.
When she was at length persuaded to
axe her place on the floor with the 9TH
cr dancers, those who had been deprived
of the pleasant attention, which other
wise they would perhaps have received
from the gallants of the evening had
Red Riding Hood be- absent, prepared
for to find amusement AT her expense.
Her head i turned because Hugh
Maythorn has been pleased to select her
for u partner" sneered one who deep in
her own heart had reserved this honor
for herself and felt kecnly her diSsap-
pointment.
at Is not 10 be- wondered at, said
another angry that the pains taken with
her attire should avail so little. 'l ou
must remember that she had never be-
fore received attentions. 1t makes one
act so silly.
While this was all beng spoken,
Red Riding Hood danced with the rest
unmindful that aught malicious was said
of her. Often she had danced with her
shadow on the grass in the moonlight,
and now, guided by the agile Hugh, and
keeping time to the invigorating music
which two musicians, mounted upon II
table furnished the gay company, she
accomplsed the dance without mistake,
and even with certain grace, while
those who had prepared to be amused
had to content themselves by being aston
ishcd.
When the merry-making was at an
end. there had been a hundred tlattering
remarks that had reached her ears, and
dozen scornful words, which, having
no blossom friends, she did not hear.
Taking this into consideration, it might
be called a success.
That night before she had laid aside
her pretty costume, the piece Of mirror
once more reflected charming picture
Of wavy hair and smiling face. The
dust no longer gathered over lis sheeny
surface.
Now that the ice was broken, Hugh
did not permit il to CONCEAL again, but
kept up the friendship that had so lately
been established. He even finally paid
y visit To- the cottage by the seaside, and
was kindly received by Red Riding
Hoods mother, who with much good
sense did not deem il necessary to carry
ill-will so far rs to the second generation
This visit was shortly followed by
another. and the unmistakable fact that
twice within fortnight his horse had
been seen hitchcd to Il fence furnished
sufficient foundation to the knowing one
that Hugh Maythorn was keeping COM
psuy with Red Riding Hood, and that
it was highly probable there would be Il
wedding before great while.
Some few weeks after the mirthiul
gathering which Red Riding Hood at
tended. she was given small basket OF
little niccties, prepared by her mother.
own skilItul hands, and which she was
to take to Grandmother Mathews, who
lived all alone beyond the biz woods
IL was often the case
that little presents found their way to
grandmother cot. for the good old
soul was beloved by every one, and there
were none who did not find enjoyment
in aiding her Throughoutthe- neigbor'
hood she was known rs Grandmother
Mathews. and in sickness her presence
was considered essential. Her knowl'
edge of the various herbs, possessing
medicinal properties, was even more
extensive than that Of the doctor himself
and it was various illness, indeed, for
which she could prescribe no remedy.
Putting on her crimson hoodr when
cast such ROSY shadows over her pretty
face. Red Riding Hood turned her steps
in the direction OF the cottage, which
was to be her destination, and very soon
had crossed the meadow land, and
reached the edge of the great, shadowy
wood through which the path now lay
/ The countlc-, leaves. some yellow, some
/ red. some russell brown, made low wills.
prring among themselves IL if sorrow.
full to part one from another, ana every
now and then one, with a plainly" sigh
separating. from it, tremulous compan'
IONS came floating down ward, like {
beautiful meteor. The ground Wa:
rapidly becoming str"wn with thes'
gorgeous blossoms of autumn and Red
Riding Hood sought out the brightest
among them, sometimes catching then
in their wayering descent, and decking
herself in their gold and scarlet,
Thus engaged, she went onward
through the wood, until Il sudden rust
ling of the fallen leaves caused her t,
look up when she saw, standing in her
pathway, wolf with eager eyes BEN
tuIl upon her Now it is very natura
to suppose that she was drcadtullI
frightened ut this unexpected encounter