The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-04-15
THE STORY OF THE MIRROR TOLD.

THE STORY OF THE MIRROR TOLD.
l am mirror, an old mirror, though You
would not believe it, except from my sur
roundings, which are very antique. My
face is fair and smooth Time has not put
her marks there, as on the dear old lady
who sits opposite me in the old arm chair.
But for her where might have been now !?
She has chung to me always; saved me from
Punishment to Que of the upper rooms, lum-
Der closet, or from-my greatest horror
the dealer in second hand furniture.
For nearly fifty years l have stood on the
dressing table in the spare bedroom of the
"old Goodyear mansion" Three years
ago | was in great danger, not only of hav-
ing my heart broken-you don't believe a
mirror has a heart may be not; though
have felt joy often, and know sorrow-but
dear me my face was threatened too.-
When pretty, joyful Jennie returned from
school young lady, she wanted to have
all the old things cleaned out and modern
ones put in their places.
| like the little maid notwithstanding
her unfavorable remarks about me. She is
the granddaughter of the dear old lady,
who said, when Jennie urged my removal,
" No, no, my darling; do not ask Inc to
Danish that. 1t has too many fond associa-
tons. AS happy bride it first reflected
my face, glowing with all the love and
trust which filled my heart And day after
day, for so many years, it has witnessed my
joys and my sorrows. Oh, no! l cannot
part with that, Jennie, DEAR
But my story is not so much OF Jennie
as her mother-the best daughter that has
ever blessed the heart of any parent,-the
most unselfisl, self-sacrificing woman, the
most faithful wife, the fondest mother.
Yes, as all these have looked upon her.
How we'll l remember the night she stood
before me, arraying herself for her g COM
ing out ball" on her birth night. Just
eighteen then; not shade of care on her
bright, beautiful face. How proud her
parents were Of her! Not more than l, as
| reflected back vision OF such rare love-
illness. Gossamer robes floated around her
sylph-like form; the sunny hair was caught
back from her face by band of pearls,
and fell in a shower of ringlets over her
sloping shoulders, bright, laughing blue
eyes looked with a well pleased gaze on the
beautiful picture placed before her, and,
with a bright smile, she glided away to
join the merry company below.
l waited anxiously for her return; |
wanted to know how we'll she was pleased.
knew she would tell me truly. How
tired grew before she came. 1t was very
late, or rather early in the morning; and
then her face wore different look. 1t was
more beautiful to me, with the sweet,
thoughtful expression; the blue eyes no
longer were dancing, but shone with a
dark, earnest light.
AS she leaned on her hand and looked
into my face | heard her whisper to her.
self, 81 am so glad am pretty l hope he
thinks so ~
All, | knew then what those festive hours
had done for the merry May Goodyear.
Some one had caused her heart to throb
wildly, tremble strangely, and tiutter con-
tinually, as if anxious to flee away and find
a haven in the breast of some one. Who ?
found out pretty soon. A number of her
young friends followed her in, and from
them l learned the truth. Ernest Noble, a
young student at college, had devoted him
self to May all the evening. The girls
leased her a good deal. He was Gas hand
some as could be, they said, "and so intel
ligent and charming!"
'But dreadfully poor"' chimed in one of
the girls, and then said, May, you had
better smile little more on Edgar Mason
he is SO rich. Heaps of gold and large
tracts of land are his-and they may be
yours, if you choose"
She grew to love the poor, handsome
Ernest very dearly. One night, standing
before me, she drew from her bosom pic
ture and gazed long and fondly upon it,
with so much love beaming forth from her
sweet eyes, and she murmured," "My
Ernest.'
A few days after that l heard CONVEX
sation between her parents that gave me
great pain. My dear, happy May would
soon be made miserable enough. l knew
her gentle nature would yield to her par
ents' wishes if it broke her heart.
Her father, Alfred Goodyear, was dread
fully embarrassed-very much in debt.
Edgar Mason held claims against him of
many thousands. These would all be can,
celled when Edgar should call him father.
Oh. why did l not pass from existence be
fore l reflected the young face-no longer
young, it seemed thea, but aged suddenly
When hope had been chased away from
her loving heart and despair dwelt instead
she stood again before me, holding in hel
hand the loved picture,
Weeping bitterly, she murmured: g II
must be cast out from my heart forever
Can l do this? Will my heart yield, al
we'll as mind and will ? Father in Heaven
teach me to do lght-'
As bride she came, after few weeks
before me; SO pale, so sad-yet, oh, Sc
beautiful, "Give me strength, Father"
she murmured in prayer, as her brides
maids drew her away.
AS wife also l frequently heard he
pray, Strengthen, Heaven. and make M
faithful and true
/ Edgar Mason loved her in lis way;