Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1877-03-20
MIscEILANEous.
AURoRA's MoTHBR-IN-LAW.

- He old>fashioned cinnamon roses in Mrs.
Guests garden were going out of bloom
Mrs. Guest herself, cosy, respectable old
lady, was sitting on the doorstep feeding a
brood of young turkeys, Mr.. Guest was smok>
ing his pipe on the porch, and Aurora. the
"hired GIRL" was picking red raspberries
down under the shadow of the garden wall,
for the next day was preserving day, and Mrs.
Guest was famous all the country over for
her rcd raspberry jelly.
"Mothcr.' said Mr.. Guest, show long has
Aurora Ford been with us 2"
II don't know" said the old lady. "Goin'
on four years, guess"
''She's CROWN very pretty, amt she, said
the farmer.
"The pre,ties. girl in town. And Law,
renee Blackbournc thinks SO, too, or I'm very
much mistaken"
Farmer Guest shook his head.
"Tain't what Lawrence thinks" said he,
'but what his mother says. Aud old Mrs.
Blackbourne has as good as said she pever'll
consent for her only boy to marry a gypsy
girl ~
"Pshaw !' said Mrs. Guest
"Just what say myself" remarked the
farmer. There amt sweeter nor prettier
girl than Aurora is, nowhere, and it don't
seem m0re'n yesterday we found her sittin'
on the fallin' maple tree down in the swamp,
a crying because her people had got mad at
her tor lottin' out about stolen table cloth
a. the constable had come after-and gone
off and left her. Lord, what a wild slip of
thing she was Wasn't we mad, though,
you and me, mother, when first we seen them
blue and black spots on her arms and shoul-
ders. where them wild savages used to beat
and pound her I"
More shame to 'ern !" said indignant Mrs.
Guest. "But if Lawrence Blackbourne don't
marry her, mother or 90 mother, he's not the
man | take him for"
"What does the Bible say, old lady 7' de-
manded Farmer Guest, with queer twinkle
in his eye. Honor thy father and thy
mother y
Yes, to be sure" added Mrs Guest, TART
ly. "What does it say? "A man shall
leave his father and mother and cleave unto
his wife 2"
you've got me there, old lady," said the
farmer.
In the meantime Aurora Ford was stand>
ing down under the stone wall, her fingers
stained with the pink blood of tho raspber-
ries, her cheeks dyed even softer crimson,
as she listened to the earnest pIeadings of
Lawrence Black bourne, who stood on the op
positc side of tho wall. his elbows leaning on
the messy top. his handsome brow shadowed
by broad -brimmed hat And her answer
was still the same.
RI will never marry man whose mother
will not welcome me as daughter to her
heart aud home"
"But, Aurora, how ridiculous this is. I'm
not asking you to marry my mother. I'm ask
ing you to marry me Do listen to reason"
Aurora smiled.
"We of the gypsy race do not go by reason"
said she 1--WE follow the guidance of our in
stinct. No, Lawrence. no love you-and
shall always love you, to the end of the
world. But it is DO. the part of true love TO
break up the peace of n family-to bring
grudgcs and dissentions among its members"
Then you do not love me as truly and
tenderly as 1 love you
Aurora Ford's soft, brown eyes filed with
tears her scarlet lips quivered:
God knows how dearly 1 love you, Law
renee J."
And that was all she could say.
EYES," said Mrs Black bourne, lively lit
tie old lady, with black eyes, stiff row of chest
nut curls and lavender cap ribbons, which
were always on the fuuer. "He's going"
"No!' cried Mrs. Guest. mot really J"
Mrs. Blackbourne nodded, whilc two round
tears slowly detached themselves from her
eyes aud rolled down the bridge of her nose.
Yes" said she. Hes going to Utah,
aud my heart is brokenl Hes got his port
maDtesu packed. to start early tomorrow
norDingw
'''I dare say Salt Lake City isn't so very
terrible, after aIl,' said kind Mrs. Guest,
whose instinct was to try and comfort every
one who was in tribulation. ''And young
man naturally likes to see the world ~
''He'll be scalped by the Indians, crossing
the plains" whimpered Mrs. Blackbourre.
''lt's all in fit of desperation, because the
gypsy girl has been flirting with him, and
flung him over"
aurora never firts," said Mrs. Guest,
bridiiDg up little.
"What is it then ?" cried Mrs. Black
| bourne. "She encouraged him up to the
last minute, and then, al of sudden, she
turns around aud says, "No." l call that
| firtipgI Aud she's just broken his heart.
| so there now !" And Mrs. Blackbourne be-
gan to sob rueful!y, and rock herself back
| wards and forwards in most Iugubrious style.
Don't cry !" soosbed Mrs Guest now
don't Look here. my dear. I've just thought
of something. Aurora Ford is 4 good girl as
ever brea,hed. Perhaps if you go to her
coufdentialIy, mind, and just tell her how
things are"
"Do you think so ?" asked Mrs. Black,