Smyrna times., 1876-10-11
eILU22 e OMS.
The Luokiest Day Of My Life.

The luckiest day of my life was the day
that was turned out doors, and the best
friend l ever had was the woman who
caused me to be homeless and friendless.
was twenty-five years old, and about
as useless human being as you would
find. When l was a mere baby, my
mother died. She was the only child
though my father had goodly supply of
brothers and sisters. But he died, too,
and my Grandfather Arnold, my mothers
father, took me.
He was rich, and he intended should
be fitting heir for all his possessions.
So had a nurse and governess till was
six years old, and my clothes were the
most expensive to be obtained. l had a
suit Of rooms in my grandfather's great
house, and if | cried the whole household
was summonded to comfort me.
At six years old, my governess was
changed for private tutor, and my primer
for more advanced studies. had a pony,
and gold watch before l was ten, and
spent fOOlIshly more money than would
have supported family. was sent to
college, graduated and came home to study
law.
This brings me to my twenty-frst year.
The way ! studied law was to lounge into
the office, languidly open a book, read a
page or two, and then stroll out. drove
fancy pair Of horses in a most superb
open carriage. | attended balls and par
ties. In short / was a most unmitigated
puppy heir apparent, the darling of fash
iOnable mammas, and the idol of empty
headed girls, who hattered my silly self
till thought was irresistible. OF couse
fell in love.
The object of my alteration was Miss
Bella Wise, daughter of widowed mother,
who was fashionable and frivolous, but
poor, and keeping her eyes open to the
prospect of good match for Bella.
After our engagement was few weeks
old, Bella suddenly became enthusiastically
fond of my grandfather. He was then
past eighty, and Bella had positive
genius for timing her visits to occur during
my absence, and l would return to find
her reading to him, or playing chess with
him. thought she was more than kind
10 show so much devotion to the dear old
man. For he was dear old man, gentle
as a child, and only too indulgent TO all
who
engaged to Bella and never suspected the
reason of her coquettish postpondment Of
our wedding.
Upon one pretext or another she put
the happy day, but never relaxed her
devotion to my grandfather. 1t makes
me laugh nov TO think how easily was
duped.
For one day, coming in from drive,
iOund my dear Bella seated close beside
my grandfather's chair, her head upon his
shoulder, his arms around her, and Mrs
Wise sobbing family in another part of the
room. / stood amazed, and my betrothed
hiding her pretty face, sobbed hysteri
eally-
"Oh, mamma, you tell him." And Mrs
Wise, suppressing her sobs, informed me
That Bella, having been heart-broken by my
neglect and my reluctance to perform my
promises TO her, had sought and found
comfort in my dear grandfather's devoted
love; and one hour ago she had taker
upon herself the dignitaries Of my grand
mother By marrying my grandfather.
it was not soothing to my vanity TO have
my place taken by man Of eighty, how
ever ioveable he might be. / was no
sAactly so respectable to my new grand
mother as her honors demanded and tn.
0id gentleman, who was meskness itself
- rule, ordersd me TO leave the house
and never enter 1T again until was pre-