Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-10-15
CHOSEN.

Geraldine Spencer was the onl y daugh-
ter of the well-known Col. Hubert
Spencer, one of the wealthiest planters
of Mississippi. The colonel was a fiery
blooded gentleman Of the old school in
those days, "before the war;" of which
we are speaking. His grandfather was
an intimate and trusted friend of Wash
ington. His father was brigadier-gen-
eral in the last war with Great Britain,
and the colonel himself was a graduate
of West Point, and oneof the most dash
ing and daring officers under old Rough
and-Ready," in the picnic of a war which
we had with Mexico generation ago.
Col. Spencer was the leader in some of
the most daring exploits south of the
Rio Grande. He was complimented more
than once in the official dispatches, and
brilliant military career-that is, as
the state of the country permitted-was
before him, had he chosen to adopt the
military profession; but though the col
onel would have preferred fighting to eat
ing, he resigned his commission in the
army, and went home to his plantation in
Mississippi. He knew what horde of
hungry, young officers were clambering
and clatter-clawing for positions in the
army, and he preferred they should have
them, especially as he saw prospect of a
lengthy peace before the country a per-
iod of idleness for the army, which would
fret such high soul as his to death.
He perceived all this, we say, and went
back to his plantation on the Mississippi,
and devoted himself to his family.
The latter consisted of his only son and
daughter. Hubert, named, Of course, af
ter himself, was in his second year al
West Point; the wife was dead long ago
and Geraldine presided over his house
hold.
One reason why, perhaps, there wa
such q strong affection between fathel
and daughter was because they were 81
much alike. She was high-spirited, a
independent and as proud as he. Sh'
was as beautiful as houri, with he
wealth of jet black, waving hair, he
brilliant complexion, her marvelou
eyes, her matchless figure, her PATRICIA
features, and her wonderful grace O
voice and manner.
; Geraldine had numberless admirer
and devotees. Many from the north
where she had spent couple of years
md her own sunny south produced my
riads, but she seemed to care for non
of them.
The colonel used to chide her at time
for the repeated snubbings she gave he
callers, without regard to their socit
u position and standing. She would leav
them at any time, and 60 with her fathC
on tramp through the woods or fishin
: in the river.
After all, there is nothing so captivs
ting in pretty woman-or any woman
y for that matter-as an absolute indepel
6 dence of character, an independent
{ which preserves ones self-respect at a
;, times, and humbles the pride of IL
u proudest of the lords of creation. 1t
lust that sort of woman that all are mo
=. anxious to secure for prize.
v One summer afternoon Geraldine al
l. her father were sitting in the shade
If the long, low porch which extended
j. front of their house. The colonel w
f. smoking his cigar, and the daughter, wi
er was richly dressed, was gently rockir
,e back and forth, and looking off at Il
a. yellow Mississippi, along which hig
g. deoked steamer was laboriously plowil
le its way.
nj A close observer would have seen th
In the beautiful daughter had some SC
av trouble on her mind. She was unea
q. and restless. The swaying of her chi
IL was fitful and uneven. Sometimes s
nd smelled of the fragrant sprig of magr
70 liza in her hand in anervous way, land |
k lustrous eyes seemed to be brighter a
d. more flashing than usual
nd But the colonel noticed nothing; for
knew the superb poise of his daughter
well, that he did not believe anythi
go short of an earthquake could distr
an it.
,ut So lie continued placidly smoking
o;rar 1uhila hia ndnnr rested idly in