Connecticut western news., 1876-03-17
AUNT HANNAH.


 And wide bonnet-you would guess 1t st the
 distance of mile; Wit her little sprigs of smilsx, and her laven-
 der and ilacs,
 Snowy napkins and big basket, and serenely
 simple smile. She is just little queer and few gentlefolk, Hear,
 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 her manners and her mind As you presently discover; and 'tis Well enough to know, Everything that now 50 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 old ladies tell
 How at all the balls and parties Hannah Ansden took the lead; Perfect bloom and maiden sweetness, lily grace of rare completeness, Though the stalk stands rather stifly 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 adorer knelt-in meta phor-before her; Metaphorically only does your modern lover kneel. If she needed, twas because, in their worship, their applause, Her perfection was reflected, and . pleasing music heard; But she suffered them no nearer than her gold finch or her mirror; And she hardly held them desrer than her pier-glass or her bird. But at last there came 8 day when she gave her heart away
 l. that rightly be called giving which is neither choice nor will, But charm, fascination, and wild sweet exultation-
 All the fresh young life outgoing in a strange ecstatic thrill. At oity ball, by chance, she first met his ardent glance. He was neither young nor handsome, but . man of subtle parts, With an eye of such expression ss your lover by profession
 Ends an excellent possession when he goes a-hunting hearts. It could trouble, it could burn and when first he chanced to turn | That fine glance on Hannah Amsden, it lit up with swift desire, With 8 sudden dilation, and radiant admira- | tion,
 And shot down her souls deep heaven-like meteor trailing fire. How was any one to know that those eyes had looked just so l On a hundred other women, with gaze as | bright and strange? There are men who change their passions even
 oftener than their fashions, And the best of loving always, to their mind,
 is still to change. Nay, it was not base deceit; his own conquest
 seemed complete.
 They were soon afianced lovers and her
 opening life was filled With the flush of fame-lit fancies, mornings
 rosy-hued romances,
 All the dews of hope and rapture loves de.
 icious dawn distilled. Home the country maiden went and busy
 summer spent
 All in bridal preparations, blissful troubles
 happy woes; Fitting dresses, filling presses, little crosses
 and distresses-
 Those preliminary prickles to the hymenea ! rose. Never since the world began, course of true
 love smoother ran;
 Not an eddy of dissension, nor the ripple oi
 adoubt. All the neighbors and relations came with kint
 congratulations,
 And hundred invitations to the wedding
 feast went out. All the preparations thrived, and the weddin,
 day arrlved;
 Pleased but pensive moved the mother; ant
 the father with smile Broad and genial ss the summer gave 8 vel come to each conner; All things turned on golden hinges, all wen merry for 8 while. And the lovely bride, arrayed all in laces an
 brocade,
 Orange blossoms in her tresses (strange a
 now the story seems), . Quite enchanting and enchanted, in her chan
 Der blushed and panted,
 And but one thing now was wanted to fluff
 her darling dreams. For the clergyman was there, to unite tn happyspair, \ And the guests were all assembled, and tn company sat dumb; And the banquet was belated, and the mai
 was still unmated,
 And the wedding waited, waited, for ooac
 that did not come. Then few began to sneer, and horror and
 fear
 Fell on friends and anxious parents; and th bride, with cheek afame, All too rudely disenchanted, in her chambe
 paced and panted And the one thing still was wanted and th
 one thing never came. Classy smiles and feeble chat-then the parso
 took his hat,
 And the wedding guests departed, glad breathe the outer air; Till the last farewell was taken, kind wor
 offered kind hand shaken; And the great house stood forsaken in il
 shame and it's despair. With a frmness justified less by hope, perhap
 than pride,
 All her misery, all their pity. Hannah bol
 without complaint; , Till her hasting mother met her, pale ar breathless, with 8 letter, r. And she saw the superscription, and shrieke 'r "Frederick P and grew faint.