Ashtabula weekly telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1880-1886, 1880-05-07
A MOTHERS STORY.

HANDSOME, careless Phil Burton was
ut last engaged. Hitherto invulnerable
ID the sweet smiles and engaging airs
IF the fair sex, he was now captured
and bound to the chariot wheels of the
victorious little blonde, Jessie Wilder,
who was noted for the brightest eyes
and most bewitching ways of all The
young girls of d. t... .l b.
How the engagement came about was
a mysteryto all che good people of the
town. Phil was so absolutely indiffer-
ent to all the allurements thrown round
him, that he had been given up to cold,
selfsh baehelOrhOod by despairing
mothers and daughters.
During the white apron and pink sash
period OF Jessie's existence, and through
81 portion of academy life, she and Phil
bud been friends to the extent of kisses
aid candy in the earlier stage, and
flushing thanks for hard problems
50 lved In the latter. Then Phil went to
college, and thence to Europe, where
he remained several years. On his re-
turn he found the half-forgotten little
friend of his boyish days grown, almost
TO womanhood, and as winsome as her
childhood promised. But for some rea-
ance was not renewed, and the other
damsels of the borough had much more
20 hope for from the attentions of the
wealthy young cynic than Jessie, who
generally tossed her bright head at the
3 mention of his name, and declared she
had no patience with any man who set
himself so far above his fellow mortals
and affected to believe women heartless
hirts. nal' t5-ig i-
AffectedP oh, no; he is reality it.
self, and remarkably careless of feelings
where he thinks his words cut closest, -
her auditors would reply. -A.
An for effect, my dears," Jessie
would answer. ''He only does it to
gain popularity with the weaker
sex, for, strange to say, it is
Just such coxcombs who ensnare the fe-
male heart, and Phil Burton is sharp
enough to see it.. Excuse me from him,
if you please; I've too much regard for
his mother to encourage such princi-
Piles on the part of her SON." ID ...
1t was from sundry remarks akin to
the foregoing, that 50 mystiied those
interested when the engagement was
announced. Iconfess l am myself in
the dark concerning it, but you, my
reader, may have more subtle insight
into human nature, and reason from the
standpoint of magnetic attraction, or
from the fact that man likes opposition,
and indifference on the part of the per-
son addressed only adds fuel to the
flame, so leave you to draw your own
conclusions, contented that the main
fact remains, whatever your decision.
The sun was just setting when Phil
and his mother sat together in the ten
der, rosy light. They had been talking
of his marriage, which was shortly To-
take place, and discussing the furniture
for the bridal suite of rooms, which
Phil had persuaded Jessie's father to let
his mother fit up, the rest of the charm
ing home being given by the father for
his pet daughters wedding gift. ~
"My son, said the mother, laying
her hand Onehis, "I have just little
advice to- give, you, and short story TO
tell" i'a' 1.r oaaA12H s-Fy l 6l
Proceed, mother dear, you can never
say any thing that can be unheeded by
me-"
Fie, fattefing boy; your mother is
too old TO be spoiled with praise, but
what / wish to say TO you is in refer
ence to the new life which is so soon to
begin. .Yduiknow that already regard
Jessie as daughter, and feel her to be
the one girl Of all know 1T to be- your
wife,
"Whewl mother, who is the 1atterer
now, would like to know
"Not /, for 1 will continue by saying
that you must study every day TO make
yourself worthy of her; there is more in
that than you have any idea Of. You
must never cease TO cultivate yourself to
higher standard every day you live,
and seek to strengthen Jessie's love for
you as the years go'by. Remember all
the winning does not come before mar
riage, and, II it did, then Che keeping Of
the love and confidence you have won is
a far higher and more sacred thing.
But this d not what started to say; II
is this You are both starting out with
bright prospects and every thing. to
make home attractive and beautiful
bat remember, Jessie is but a child
while you are a man Of experience
Il