The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-09-14
BEAUTY VERSUS WORTH.


Near the centre of smooth green
field, short distance from the road,
with its border of wild roses and sweet
ferns, stood square white house, with
bright green blinds and wide piazza.
Here John Stacey had lived since his
boyhood, here he had wept over the
remains of his beloved parents, here
he had led his bride to the altar, here
he had rejoiced over the birth of his
children, and watched them expand
and bloom into womanhood, with all a
true heart fondness.
No restless desire to 90 out into the
great world, to view the wonders of
foreign lands, or the glories of his own,
ever entered his mind; his hope, his
ambition, extended only to the limits
of his excellent farm.
just now, however, he was excited
with anticipation-a memory of the
past had been aroused, and promised
an event Of no small Importance.
In his hand he held an open letter
from a friend of his boyhood, and
among the four pages of kindly words
occurred the following passage;
''You know, my dear friend, that
when l left you, so many years ago, we
made each other promise, which,
though visionary then, has at least a
chance Of becoming a reality now. We
said we would cause our children to
intermarry, that our friendship might
be perpetuated for ever. | have never
forgotten it, and | think YOU have not
have only one son, and he is all that
is pure and noble. His principles, his
hrmneSS, have been tested i'll the cruel
BILE of temptation, and he has come
forth the brighter for the ordeal. l
would trust him anywhere, in prosper
ity or adversely. You know me well
enough to know that this is not en-
thusiasm or prejudice. In two weeks
from the time that this letter reaches
YOU he will start for Hillside. If he
should chance to love one of your
daughters | shall be thankful, for,
somehow, time has made the simple
idea of our youth the desire of my
heart. OF course you will say nothing
to your daughters or my son of our
wishes, the mere existence of which
would cause dislike to grow up be-
nature"
''Well, that is singular unused
John, as he folded up the letter and
placed it in his pocket. 81 hadn't for
gotten that jim Harris and | made
that promise, but hadn't thought OF
it for long while. Jim was always
true blue. / wonder what will come
of it. 1t is singular"
''What, papa? What are you mum
bling to yourself about?"
And Ella Stacey, the pet, the beauty
Of the family, danced into the room,
her satin cheeks red with the bloom of
health, her gray eyes shining, and her
rich chestnut hair falling around her
shoulders in glossy waves.
Il was thinkin' how in the world
Farmer Perry's cow could a-got out in
the meadow with her head and foot tied
and not stone of the wall knocked
down." he answered, screwing up one
eye, for John was sometimes humorous
in his crude way.
pooh! You're teasing me nown'
exclaimed Ella, pouting. 81 don't like
you a bit"
Don't, sh, my little gipsyr' and his
great, strong hands lifted her from the
floor, and his bearded lips pressed 8
kiss upon her soft cheek.
''Oh, you hurtr' she cried. with {
little frown. 'Let me 90. want tc
catch my rabbit-see him on the lawn
And she ran out of the front door,
laughing, and swinging her summer
hat.
Pm afraid sometimes that Ella's
spoiled, we've always petted her So,
reflected her father, as he walked slow
II towards the barn.
That evening after the things
had been cleaned and put away, tn,
whole family came out and sat dowr
upon the piazza to enjoy the delicious
twilight
John pulled contentedly at his pipe
while his wife mended stockings anC
Ruth sat busily sewing, while Ella raj
about like young fawn.
Ruth was homely, and she knew it
but the fact did not cause her eithe
sadness or anger, and l am sure tina
envy of her sisters beauty never color
ed her mind. She had light brown
hair, of a shade between flaxen an,
chestnut, deep hazel eyes and rather
large mouth, her nose being the onl
regular feature that she possessed
When quiet her face was devoid o
color, but the least excitement sent
glow to her cheeks that, for the tim
being made her actually pretty, an,
caused her mother to often declare tina
Ruth was not homely, after ALL"
"We're going to have a visitor il
about two weeks" said John, YER
abruptly.