The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-04-19
AUNT HANNAH.

AUNT HANNAH.
A Story Told in Rhyme by J. r. TrowbridEe
She is known to all the town, in her quantity
fashioned gown,
And wide bopnet-you would guess 1t at the
distance of mile;
Wit her little sprigs Of smilax, and her laven
der and ilscs,
Snowy napkins and big basket and serenelJ
simple smile,
She is just little queer and few gentlefolk
Ifear,
In their drawing-rooms would welcome that
benignant, beaming face;
And the truth Is, old Aunt Hannahs rather
antiquated manners
In some fashionable circles would seem sadly
out Of place.
Yet there's something quite refined In ber
manners and her mind,
AS you presently discover; and 'tis well
enough to know,
Everything that now 80 odd is In the bonnet
and the bodice
Was the very height Of fashion five and forty
years ago.
She was then reigning belle; and I've heard
cid ladies tell
How at all the balls and parties Hannah
=. Amsden took the lead;
Perfect bloom and maiden sweetness, lily grace
of rare completeness,
Though the stalk stands rather stifiy now the
flower has gone to seed.
She had all that love could give, all that
makes it sweet to live
Fond caresses, jewels, dresses; and with
eloquent appeal
Many proud and rich sdorer nelt-in meta
phor-before her; J 3
Metaphorically only does your modern lover
kneel. .-#
II she needed, twas because, in their worship,
"-I's their applause,
her perfection was reflected, and q pleasing
music heard;
But she suffered them no nearer than her gold
finch or her mirror;
And che hardly held them dearer than he.
pier-glass or her bird. ..., .s..
Brs at last there came . dsy when she gave
her heart away
II that rightly be called giving which Is
neither choice nor will,
But charm, fascination, and wild sweet
exultatior-
All the fresh young life outgoing in . strange
ecstatic thrill
At a city ball, by chance, she first met his
ardent glance.
He was neither young nor handsome, but a
man Of subtle parts,
With an eye Of such expression as your lover
By profession
Finds an excellent possession whom he goes
a-hunting hearts. -
1t could trouble, it could burn; and when first
he chanced to turn
That fine glance on Hannah Amsden, 1t Lit
up with swift desire,
With sudden dilation, aud q radiant admra-
tion,. III -=- .-.- s-:f.
And shot down, her souls deep heayen-like
meteor trailing fire.
how was any one to know that those eyes had
looked just 90 -. -
On q hundred other women, with gaze as
bright and stranger
There are men who change their passions even
oftener than their fashions,
And the best Of loving always, to their mind,
isstill to change. , :
Nay, it Was not base deceit; his own conquest
seemed complete. - aq~-s .. -.
They were soon afisnoed lovers and her
opening life was filed -
With the flush Of fame-it fancies, mornings
rosy-hued romanoes,
AL the dews Of hope and rapture loves de.
hcious dawn distilled.
Home the country maiden went and busy
summer spent
AL in bridal preparations, blissful troubles,
happy woes
Fitting dresses filing presses, little crosses
and distresses--
Thoae preliminary prickles to the hymsneal
Never since the world began, course Of true
love smoother ran;
Not an eddy of dissension, nor the ripple Of
adoubt.
All the neighbors and relations came with kind
congratulations,
And h.ndrei invitations to the wedding
feast went out.
ALI the preparations thrived, and the wedding
day arrived;
Pleased but pensive moved the mother; and
the father with smile
Broad ard genial as the summer, gave a well
come to each conner;
All things turned on golden hinges, all weat
merry for q while. ~.
And the lovely bride, arrsyed all in laces and
l. brocsde, 'r. -"
Orange blossoms in her tresses (s.rsnge as
now the story seems),
Quite enchanting and enchanted, in her cham
Der blushed and painted,
And but one thing now Was wanted to fulfill
her darling dreams. 49,
For the clergyman was there, to unite the
happy pair, .s..... ....s:..
And the guests were all assembled, and the
company Sat dumb; ..a.,... ..-...
And the banquet was belated, and tho mait
was still minated, g..
And the wedding waited waited, for ooact
that did not come.
Then few began to sneer, and horror and {
Fell on friends and anxious parects and th.
bride, with cheek a6ame,
All too rudely disenchanted, in her chambe,
paced and painted
And the one thing still was wanted; and tht
one thing never came.
CLASSY smiles and feeble chat-then the parsor
took his hat,
And the wedding guests departed, glad tt
breathe the outer air; .
Till the last farewell was taken, kind worf
a offered, kind hand shaken;
And the CREST house stood forsaken in it
shame and its despair: