Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1876-06-10
For he Tirginiu Free Pres'.
SVMMER REVERIEs.
No. 3.
A W7i8p e Payer.

In quiet and refined quarter Of populous
mrtruprI,-tue Capital oi great State and
built, like oldeu Rome, upon seven proud hills
there stands. or did stand at the time OF this
story. neat aud comfortable cottage home
Honc--so the poets tell us-;s where the
Heart is aud remembering the saying, and be-
lieving in its perfect truth, use the term
This cottage was brick one, of two stories
aud French roof, laid in damond-shaped
tiles Of grey aud black slate. The entrance
was covered one Of lattice work, and clothed
with climbing ivy and jcssamine vines. a
pretty lawn Of newly ca grass, dotted here
and there with fowcry designs, and contain
inc a small fountain whose cooling spray be-
sprinkled the surrounding verdure, fronted our
charming Home Within, the rooms were
furnished tasuly; each, in separate colors, and
proving well the presence OF a woman oi re-
lined. graceful and pleasing disposition. Let
us. ere hurgyiug on, glance for moment into
the drawing rnom-thc ideal Of a drawing
room-iu3ging Of the rest thereby. 1t is, real
". perfect little gem. The floor is carpcted
in Gelt blue morocco, Of soft texture and dam
ty ua,tcrn. The four long Freuch windows
have white shades. with lace inner curtains
aHd low sweep Of blue drapery, OF shade
matching precisely the carpet. The sofas,
chairs aud livaus are Of rosewood, CUSHIONED
in light b,uarcP, and covered with emOrolder-
ed tides Of dainty patterns. Across the emp
ty grltc fireplace lit is mid-Snmmerl Is thrown
silvern screen, highly wrought, aud a large
rus lies before 1t; The man'eILon Wh'cH Il Il
low French clock notes silently the passing
houTs-is Of pure white marble, seemingly
gu'iIts' oI 4 VEN. I"e vans "'o PafI'1S
blue anU 1o'u' ""o nom ''' Oe"5'' ots;,.
ceiling depend massive s"iu ''","
chandelier dTaped, at ihIa tine, III "I''c ue'-
ting. This, reader, lS-or waS-'he parlor ol
the Ruthven Cottage, whose tenants were Mr.
Francis Ruthven, J'urnaiist oi IL ms vic
and two small children. o'y %"" s"'' .'u az
see, even now, as sIc once s''oI o',''T ''''
beautiful bride OF my nero .'''' '"'"'el NV
was certainly q marvel oI feminine grace anu
lovelireSs. Tall aud slender 10 h9uIe' WIN
dark eyes and hair, with SINAI! ahu in"A-"h'e
hands, aud easy, graceful manner she was au
Acknowledged queen 10 select circle "a cH-
Gle, by the )y rendered all the more select,
from tie absence the conspicuous absence
tlcrcfrom, Of Ggssip-the baneiul poison OF
Society.
How w,. # that Francis Ruthven gained
,bo cnviod ,riza Le pos,essel in his wife p
W,l IN ,l,air vonnoer dcys both had been ar
dent wOrshippcrs at the shrine OF Romance, ,aod
por,orca had in It's swceilv mysterious ways
t..,,,,i,, 49, ,,.o ,oootber Listen
"'v"e''' '''e'V
- ""S '''.'! .-.'. ;.l';. oo,,,o.l
Whcse name Is u"''i PO''''s :" ,.'9 -,
L
o5 o'I". .,d iavoc v';,b cTeakinr siaps swinging
.a,omays dilo,ilated tree boxcs and tumble.
5"wo sIarti@s T. % tbe willie il sent whole acres
of C,Ircn Ieaves eddyipu and whirlinc around.
and flIe5 the ewes noses and mouths of bust
Inc humanity rlentjfnIly with dust. The
cIo19s sIrcbaTra1 with stormy mischief. were
scnIdioo por,b7rard like so many evil sprites
,,d ere7v,I,iro in beou,er world wore really,
dismal osnect Francis Ru:hven. young
man sco,ce bevon1 lis teens and glowing 10
,Ia ,'ossossio- &c limited moustacbe, sat at
i ,ie tr,b ,',o s,orv r;,dow If \ relatives house
and tbouobt over and over on his aimless life
auJ auJ -, ~ -o,ron,i, tendepcies-if any The
wind wLirlcd mast in savage mood the while
49,. Loro ,,,,aoro1 SpddeDlv ne though