The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1876-04-28

him when he asked me, for the sake OF
mamma and Nelly to burn those for
lorn little mementoes Of mine ON my
wedding eve. What did il matter il
crushed out "A few sentimental idcasP
battered myself that | ws.s superior TO
that sort OF thing, and often preached
IN Nelly. | wore on, and | began 10
look upon il quite a. a matter Of urse
Nelly was able To be about again, pref
tier than ever, and i'm such good spirits
that | never mentioned my contemplate
ed sacrifice 10 her. One wretched wet
day | had been ont shopping for the
house. | hate shopping when one Is
poor. | came home just a little heart
sick, as one is apt 10 be sometimes, YOU
know. heard Nelly playing as | open
ed the door. paused Ia listen "A no
ment, bat she ceased almost immediate
Is, and | climbed the stairs slowly and
opened the door softly on account of
mammals nerves, but ann was not
there. Could Nelly be i'll again, turned
faint and leaned her golden head on
the doctors shoulders and he feeling
her pulse? | was % relieved on that
score. Doctors don't kiss their pa
tients so tenderly to bring them 20. |
closed the door and went up stairs, put
aside my things, lay down on the bed
and cried. Not that | was jealous Of
my pretty sister; not the least bit in the
world; but | still held TO il, that when
a girl determines SO nObly 10 sacrifice
herself on the altar Of family Interests,
il is a pity TO disappoint her. But that
little scene down stairs had brought
back some tender thoughts Of what
might have been. and ! was glad had
those little "reminiscences | had so he
r~oically resolved To burn. Then | sat
up, dried my eyes. and grew nissan
thropic. What, was | cryiRg, Of the
free and enlightened Of the Nineteenth
century, |, who knew So much more
about the rights Of women than my
great grandmother did. What Were the
men OF ourtime that one Of them should
cause me TO shed a tear? Where were
the heroes, the Maddens's OF Warsaw
one reads about; all, all, crumbled to
dust ages ago. They were worth "A
woman's sigh, but the rapid youth Of
the present dav, whose lily hands did
no nobler work than twist their we'll
trained moustaches; whose converse
ton consisted of the last opera, the
newest novel and imbecile remarks
on the weather. Who, when
contemplating matrimony looked
out for a wife who could support them
and matrimony, what a wretched in
stitution it was; for me, | saw nothing
entertaining in darning a mans stock
ings or cooking his dinner; AZ for love,
and sentiment, and all that, very fine
in theory, You know, but for the rest.
a terribly mistaken idea. | felt much
better after this and brushed my hair
before that aggravating little glass and
felt inclined 10 smash il, but when one
has TO practice strict economy, n
must control ones temper. | wonder
ed il il would be safe TO 20 down stairs.
Well. | would 90 into the kitchen and
put the kettle down, for however this
might affect the rest Of the family. |
knew Charlie was still in good health
and had a beautiful appetite. Then /
heard mamma 90 down and | wanted
to follow.
"Oh, George, / am so happy" said
Nelly, presently running into the dreary
little kitchen, lighting il up with her
smiles and sDarkles.
Whats the matter?' | asked coldly,
and with dignity.
"Georgie, he's asked me - be his
wife, and love him So" she cried rap
tgrously.
81 suppose ycu mean DR.. Kingston =
| said still cOldly.
lyon horrid thing said she pout-
ing, ..why are YOU not glad?n
My darling child" / cried putting
my arms about her, II am glad if you
are happy, and it's such a relief to
my mind about the bill.n Nelly burst
into a peal OF laughter, and declared
she was going to make some biscuits
for supper, regardless Of expense.
She was soon i'm the midst
Of IL and looked so pretty that / had to
leave the dividing door open so the in
mates of tho parlor might have a peep.
The doctor rose Is If he would 20
to her but she laughed %saucily, and
shook her foury hands at him. All
that seems silly except TO those
most nearly Interested. Doubtless
il was very charming to the doctor 20
have Nelly shaking her floury hands NJ
him, also 10 Nelly to see this big hand
some man look as if he'd like to put her
in his pocket and run away; but to us
lookers-on, free and enlightened Of the
nineteenth century, BAH There were
some happy satisfied murmurs from
mamma, three cheers for Nelly and
her doctor from Charlie, and the
whole thing settled down TO the COM
mon place. Nelly went on with her
pupils rather against her doctors will
and we were scrapping together some
thing for the buying Of wedding gar
ments. Every now and then | read
Nelly a lecture on the folly of marriage.
thus giving up ones freedom. and for
Aver after heing nhliged To cnnsnlf snch