South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-03-05
az make all my dresses. I took les.

sons of frst-rate dressmaker on pur.
pose" ~. .-
81 do" holding it against her COM
panion's shoulder. "It is certainly be-
coming. Not so glaring as a pink. but
as pretty. Your black overdress will be
lovely with it,
"Ishall have an overskirt fthe same,
with a new thread lace trimming. 1
teased pa out of a new dress this morn
ING. and mean to have the full benefit
of his generosity. Twei'ty five yards
she added to the clerk, and Will meas
ured Off the dress.
"He saw the ladies going from coun-
ter to counter, and the hour being still
early, had leisure to saunter about lit
tie, making Vinnie's pufhase of blue
ribbons and her care in Selecting what
was of good quality, VI ection of
gloves, and her unself| test in all
her friends purchases, m lthe dress
and thread lace to the gloves and costly
web of handkerchief. Evidently Miss
Mercia intended that her father should
indeed supply an entire new dress. .
There was discussion over some ex-
quisite new fans, recent importation
exquisitely displayed by clerk. Vim,
nie's quiet ''can't afford iti;' was proof a.
gainst temptation, but Alercia added q
white feather fan Of dainty beauty to her
purchases.
Floy Hartley was rather surprised that
Will Stanton, who was favorlte OF her
fathers, while she had won Uncle Josh's
heart, never paid her those marked at
tentions that were so evidently the de-
sire of the old gentleman. But her sur
prise was changed to chagrin when ne
asked q special introduction to Miss
Winnie Holway, and was that young Ia
dy's devoted cavalier for the evening Of
Miss Hartlcy's party.
'.The young lady in white with blue
ribbons?' she had said in answer to his
request; that is Miss Holway school
mate of Mcrcia Livingstone's. l have
met her at the Livingstonc's, but am not
very we'll acquainted. Mercia tells me
her father is quite we'll OF, but has ve-
" large family?"
All OF this Will found later was quite
t..le. There WAS large family, an6
Winnie was the very sunshine of home.
Well educated herself, she was always
ready to assist the Younger ones in their
studies. With nimble fingers, trained
to work, she saved her father many dol
lars by her ability to cut and fit dresses,
and her willingness to impart some OF
her knowledge to her sisters. a neat
house-keeper, she spared her mother ma
ny an hour for visitinsfSeading, or rest.
And yet slsc was no d1 lse. In 3ccicty
she was always appropriately and taste
fully dressed. She was good pianist,
and sung wellin aclear, cultivated voice.
She was well read, and kept up an intel
ligent interest in all current topics, con-
versing easily, though modestly.
VIII found that at every visit to Mr..
Holway's pleasant sitting-room increas-
ei his distaste for clearinghouse life,
and his love for pretty Winnie Eolway,
till he found himself in serious consul
tation with Uncle Josh again.
so it is not pct, Floy Hartley" said
the old gentleman. 1T would serve you
right if + married her myself
Il will give my consent" Will said,
smilingly.
NO, my boy no! You and your pret-
ty Winnie must fill my old heart, as you
have promised me corner in your home
long years ago. Will, when my hair
was as brown as your own, and my eyes
rs bright, I too, had my. love dream. l
WAS country boy then, and to own
farm was the very height of my ambi-
ton. I was working hard for farmer
named Nelson, for had no parents,
when there came to visit my employer
cousin from the great city Of New York.
In those days. Will, New York seemed
farther away from the small country
place than Europe seems now. The ad-
vent of Josephine Nelson was an event
in our village, and her beauty and grace
were fully appreciated by all the rough
pumpkins around her. Working on her
Cousins farm, I was constantly near
her. l drove her, if she wished, to see
the surrounding scenery, and as we jolt
ed over the rough country roads she told
me Of the great city Of the openings
there for energy, industry and talent
She found I was fonQ-of reading, and
lent me volumes - T0Vtry she had
brought with her from the city. Books
were rare treasures forty years ago, Will.
We read the sweet measured lines to-
gether; we walked together in shaded
lanes, and I gatheredwild flowers which
she wore in her bosom and hair. To
make a long story shorh Will, I loved
her with all the wild enthusiasm Of a
boy. and the mature reason of q man.
She was far above me in grace, in beauty
and goodness, but she was gentle as she
was fair, modest and tender
when l told her my love she laid her
little white hand in my rough brown one.
and promised to be my wife Then she
came home to the city, and I added dol
lar after dollar to ldy hoard, to follow
her. MIR. Nelson wrote to Josephine's