The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-05-08
"OqIy a Book Ageqt. "

MISS JeSSamlne ndu just eHefSeu, ydWu-
ing, from her bedroom, although the sun
was five hours high and its merry zigzags
of gold were penciling the easements, af-
ter pattern which no artist under heaven
could hope to initiate.
And Kitty the colored maid who had
accompanied her mistress from Mobile,
and regarded this Northern climate as
very Polar region, was attending her with
chocolate, Vienna bread and a broiled
chickens wing.
Georgia Jessamine was on a visit to her
fathers cousin, Mrs Dartley. Major
Joseph Jessamine, her father, had been a
well-to do planter in Alabama before the
war, but he was neither more nor less, at
present, than a genteel beggar, and Mrs.
Dartley's invitation to Georgia had been
hailed with delight.
81 only wish she had asked me, too"
said the major.
So Georgia Jessamine was supplied
with an elegant wardrobe (purchased
mostly on credit) and sent North, to seek
her fortune.
Mrs. Dartley was a rich widow, who
lived in handsome house, scattered her
money to and fro with liberal hand, and
dwelt in a perpetual whirl of balls, par
ties, soirees and receptions. And into
this sort of life Miss Jessamine plunged,
as you may have seen bee dive joyously
into the deep bill Of a honeysuckle.
"If can only make good match here
in New York, l never need 60 back to that
tumble-down old house in Mobile" said
Miss Jessamine to herself.
And, thus pondering, she devoted the
entire energies Of her nature to the attain
ing of the aforesaid "good match"
Claude Dartley, her cousin. came under
that head. Claude was handsome, witty
and wealthy. But Georgia was a little
afraid of Claude. She never could quite
understand whether he was laughing
at her or not. But, in spite Of all that,
she smiled sweetly on Claude, as first and
foremost among the "eligibles' on her
list, and had built sundry castles in the
air, whereof he formed the foundation.
Last night, at Mrs. Penfield's musicale
he had been especially devoted, and Miss
Jessamine's spirit, were high, as she drank
the foaming chocolate and nibbled at the
Vienna twists.
In minute, however, a blue-ribboned
maid came to the door.
"Miss Jessamine," said she, with lit
tie apologize courtesy, would you please
come down to the parlor? There's q
young lady there, asking for you.'
ga young lady? repeated Georgia
staring at the opposite clock, which re
corded an hour too early for fashionable
calls. "Where is her card, Fanny?"
"She didn't send up any card, miss"
"Dd she ask for me by name?"
"Well, miss, she asked for my mistres
first, and then, when | said she was gon
to Signor Arditi S to sit tor her portrait
but you was in, she said might she SCI
you minute"
, Georgia Jessamine glanced down at tn
folds of her rose-colored cashmere morn
ing wrapper, and then at the opposlt
mirror, to see if the braids Of her ricI
black hair were in good order.
81 suppose I must go down." said she
slowly; "but if it should be one of thos
tiresome subscription collectors, or paten
dress-supporter venders-"
Katy made a grimace at Fanny as tn
, door closed behind the rustling trail
l of Miss Jessamine rose-colored dress.
"De young missee, she done t'ink nc
: body han't no business to lib but hel
SELF said she. "She dat selfish de goo
Lord ought to ha' created little glas
l globe ober her, to keep off de rest OF Oh
:, world"
Meanwhile. Miss Jassamiue. sweepin