The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-07-07
SELECT STORY.
A HEART OF OAK.
BY CARL CARLETON.

vanity belongs ~ naturally as blushes,
yet she had no more Of fthe objectionable
article than just suited to give her a
pleasing sense Of power. A wholesome
nature, and a kind heart. make even
weaknesses attractive; which was the
reason. no doubt, that everybody liked
Lefty ~ much as they admired her.
But Eugene Moran would not have
accepted this theory. He regarded
her with that sort Of unquestioning
faith with which most people regard
their particular religious creed. He
didn't call her an angel, not even 10
hin -eil; hut am sure be would not
have ieen willing to exchange her for a
whole choir Of angels. He was enough
~ love To have proposed any Saturday
evening. while escorting Lefty home
isou cnoir-msetiDg. but for two lions
lh1, -i1,d in the way; 6r-t, he was COM
paaGysiy poor. aud had no home to
oe.f nd -scund, he was by no
urar. ..ss 81 acceptance. For our
young fdy, though very gracious to
bin. ssa not al all disposed TO reveal
the extent OF her liking. So Eugene
had ~ con.eai himielf with worshiping
al di.,ancc, biding hrs time. no very
d if;uis task ~ Gwenty-one, when the
future IL siiil aglow with bright posIi.
bililis- But bi. future was destined To
an early cloHding.
On corisin midsummer SUNDAY,
there ws nm unnsusl fuiier Of excite
ment among the worahipers at the South
sids Presbyterian church. occasionvd by
the pr--enee If the great man Of tbs
place, Mr.. Elery, the rich New York
merchant. He did not live a. South
side; but, rs any ono OF the inhabitsnf'
would have told you with pride. "ht
was born and raised there" He wa
now on brief visit to sister, who lisec
in the vicinity.
Lefty was distantly related to thi
great person, and sRs fell in love will
him at 6r-t sight, as she told he
bosom friend, SisAy Talbot. who sa
next her in the choir. And for maj
past Airty. Mr.. Elrry was certainly o
prepossessinR appearances; his high
smooth forehead, crowned with silver,
white hair, and the uniform placidit'
and benevolence Of bis expression, woul'
have disposed one to think him Of tn
clerical, rather than Of the mercanIil
profession. In old age he retained al
the simple sincerity Of his rustic boy
hood. He. like every one else, notice,
Lefty, the more. because Of fancie,
resemblance to his only daughter. and n
only child bnt one, who had died not
great while before.
Great, however. was the astonishmen
Of the neighborhood when. a few day
after, it was announced that Mr.. Eler
had offered Lefty Morrison daughter
place in his snmptuous home. Sucf
nevertheless, proved to be the case. A
ter some inquiries Of his sister regart
ing the young girls circumstances an
prospects, and after attentively obser'
ing her during days visit she was in
viied TO appear at his sisters house, II
berenved father determined to commen
crate his lo-s. not by costly monumen
but by comforting npon another the Gu
tured home and social advantages froi
which she that wns gone had been callt
away.
He made this offer. .with'such a court
ous defernce to Letty's feelings that !
seemed rather asking favor than co
ferring one.
"Mrs Elery and !" he said. "are gs
ting too old to care much for gener
society, and Arthur is at college, 80 th
young lady to look after will be re
god-end to both Of us. And as far ns
sense Of dependence is concerned"
euhtbY WIN r"he gOu rhaii ud
leave to go az a governess, and nay
your educa ions, as they always do in 4
novels. believe" .
Lefty accepted the offer with frank
spoken gratitude; for the con4idera
manner cf the old merchant somehC
relieved her Of any painful sense Of d
psndenc>; and the new life spread itst
before her in glowing coIors. She Was
orphan, aud the aunt with whom .
lived was the only near relative 5
would have 10 part from.
I'm afraid she didn't think mu
about Eugene. and how much he won
miss her; but he, poor fellow! thought
littlr elre. To be sure, he didn't real
how great the change would he. Tt
he should see her but seldom, he kne
but that they would meet no more on
equal footing. that she would become
fine lady while he stood still ~here
was-he could not bear to think nf tn
some misgivings he had, il il true, esl
cially when he saw how happy lie
was At the prospect. He reproach
himself with selfshness, but he wor
rather have seen bsr little mo-e &c
ous.
On the evening before her departu
Eugene called to take Lefty out 70
bugEy-ride; such rides being favor
diversion for the young people in Il
region. What though the buggies W
none Of the trimmest, and tha moonlig
and the summer air, laden with perfur
and the pleasant hum ofinsects; natui
ly disposed the youthful mind TOWARD
sentimental channel.
These influences were particularly
tive on the evening in question, &
might have resulted in a proposal, :
possibly in an nengagement-for the he
Of sixteen is nightly tender at
thought Of parting-but Lefty wis
averied such crisis by peraistently
fusing 10 lie serious. When the .
had come to an end however, and
helped her ont at her aunt's door,
her precautions came near being al
tive; for he would take her hand and
would -ay. in husky voice.