The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-05-08
A Tale OF u COnt Tail.
BY JULIA X. wETHERILL.

Mimi Legrand had made up her mind
that spinsterhood was to be her lot Not
that she was ugly or ill-tempered-oh mol
She was as pretty as picture, and she was
as sweet as May morning; but when one
lives on Esplanade street, in house with a
high wall around it, with maiden aunt fol
Il dnennaj and a papa who scowls at
the bare mention of "marriage," one runs
poor chance of meeting ones fate.
Mimi was just eighteen, nd though she
was brought up like a recluse, she began to
think it was high time she had a lover.
One evening, as she sat in the company Of
her father and aunt Diane, she remarked
suddenly, in plaintive voice, "Lucy Mar,
shall was married last Tuesday"
"And very silly, at her ago" retorted
Aunt Diane. ga mere chit-she ought t.
be at school"
Mimi had her own opinion upon the sub
ject. but she prudently kept it to herself;
merely remnrking, "Mlllie Dupont is mar.
ried too, and she is six months younger
time | am"
"And what them" asked papa, looking
up from his newspaper
"oh! nothing" Mimi replied, signing
profoundly. Harriet says she was married
at st. Louis, with SIX bridesmaids, and a
veil, and train three yards long"
Harriet is an idle, gossiping servant,
interrupted her aunt, "who has no business
filling your head with such nonsense"
"And does my little girl envy these young
ladies?' Mr.. 1egrand inquired.
1--WE ELL" returned Mimi, in a non-com.
initial tone, ait must be very nice. All my
friends are marrying, and-and-I am get
ting to be quite an old maid"
Marriage is not the chief end of life,
said Miss Diane, severely. "There are no
bier, higher things to which a woman may
devote herself"
ooh, botherl"-ond Mimi shrugged her
shoulders saucily.
"Mmi, said her father, seriously, "you
must give up these foolish thoughts. You
might find great unhappiness in lover"
"But, papa" urged MINI, 81 am sure you
married."
"And bitterly rehenled IT." her father
mi ght have replied, looking back upon his
unhappy welded life; but he only frowned
and said, "let us have no more of this folly,
Mimi"
Thus snubbed, she did not dare to say
more; but she pouted, and thought to her
self 81 might as well be fright, for no one
ever sees me. Unless | can slip away, |
never can 60 out walking without Aunt
Diane, and even then she makes me bundle
mp my head in a vail, until, no doubt, every
one thinks I've had smallpox. As for a
walk on Canal street, Aunt Diane saws the
men are impudeEt and stare too much, So
she takes mcround by all the alleys and
little two rent streets. It's shame-thats
what it Is !"
Bui the darkest cloud has silver lining
Ope afternoon, wien papa was away at his
business. aud Aunt Dahe had "just stepped
out to see iriend," Mimi mediated upon
what use she could make of her liberty. She
sat down to the piano, and began ~ love-
my 1--we" then jumped up with yawn.
The only thing she could find in the shape
of d romance was "Telemachus;" but she
soon flung it into a corner, aud went out on
the balcony.
1t was a lovely April day, and as she bent
over the r-bo&es, there came loud
ring at the bell. Hanging over the railing
regardless Of appearances, she deserted
handsome youth standing on the steps.
"A mani" she exclaimed ,inwardly, ooh,
joyp
A few minutes later, Harriet came up
stairs aud said, "Miss Mimi, dere's a genel-
man in de parlor, calin' hsself Mr.. Wolfe,
an he wants to see Miss Diauy,"
Aunt Diane is not at home," answered
Mimi.
az done tole him dat already, an he says
any ob the fam'lyll do jcs as good"
81 will see him. said Mimi, with dig
nifty.
"De law, miss will you?' cried Harriet,
awestruck by such bravery; adding discreet
ly, "But whatll Miss Diany say?"
"Whatever she chooses" said the little
rebel, with a parting glance at the mirror.
Meanwhile, George Wolfe was gazing
around the old fashioned room, with its
tarnished gliding aud spindle legged chars,
and deciding that its inhabitants must DO a
dreadful set Of old fossils, when the door
opened, and the sweetest little creature in
the world came in. George had meyer seen
ourlier dark hair, or such soft, laughing
eyes.
Once in the presence Of that awful mon
ster, man, against whom she had so often
been warned Mimi lost eouuge,and Gltered
out, turning very red, III you please, sir
what do you want?"