The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1880-04-11
CHANCE AND CHANGE.

while above the oakcn doors were cNcctNcyusrlhycu
cherished trophies Of the chase. At the east lay the
planned flower garden. Beyond the highly
cultivated fields, laden with bounicm,s harvest,
gaddencd the heart OF the ambitious planter ON the
west the grassy slope, gently inclning to the river
was studded with brave old oaks which had been buff
feted by the storms OF many winters, while at equal
intervals along the graveed path, the stately popars,
with their martial bearing, stood, like sentinels,
primy guarding the approach from that direction.
Such was the outlIne OF Oaklawn quarter OF century
since.
A few years later tho camera would have produced
a far different negative" The once luxurious
home had, by the relentless spirit Of war; become
Of desoation and decay. The walls OF the ven
cradle mansion alone remaincd-a sad monument Of
departed grandeur. OF the happy circle that once so
envened that cheerful household but onehad survived
the chances and changes Of life, and she too young to
fully feel the great aficton which Fate had Imposed
upon her Her father and her only brother had fallen
in battle. Her mother had died from grief and
despair.
In kindly sympathy for the bercft young orphan the
childless widow OF Colonel f., who owned and occr-
pied the adjoining plantation Of Belmont, generously
offered to share with her such blessings Providence
might graciousiy bcstow, and meagre they, indeed,
then were, for Belmont, like oakawn had been
sorey devastated. One comfoftless cabin was alone
undisturbcd In this they were forced to seek a
shelter.
Tho van Brunts, who for years had enjoyed the
many Injuries afforded by large wealth, at RockclI,
the Hudson, having during casual visit Mt the
National Capital been agreeaby Impressed with Its
varied advantages for social life, were induced TO
purchase hero winter home, retaining for their
summer dwelling their airy eyrie among the High
lands.
When the continuous gaiety incident to season at
Washington had. after their first winter, subsidized,
the Van r. determined to pleasantly occupy month
before their pilgrimage TO the Hudson by making a
trip In their family carriage through portion OF
Virginia with which they had hitherto been unfami-
liar. With no children to share their abundant
means, with unfettered freedom they shaped their
ever-varying plans yet often regretting the barren
void existing In their domestic economy.
It was balmy morning in early May. rich In its
verdure and fragrant with blossoms. that the Van
Brnts In execution q their preconcerted plan, WIS.,
tied Z" nelghborhood In the county Of c., noted
for Its picturesque beauty and for Its fer
tillty of soil. Desiring to inquire in regard to q
route that had been pleasantly arranged for the day,
they leisurely drove through the long avenue,
shaded by a dense hawthorn hedge which had iuxu-
riantly grown unchecked by the knife of the primer,
that led to the entrance Of the Belmont plantation,
near which stood the humble cabin where so quietly
dwet the widow and her ward Approaching they
observed merrily playing on the "grassy-vcsted
green, blue-eyed little girl, her unconned tresse
''wooed'' by the Southern breeze, which 20 re-
frcshingly cooled the summerlke air and waited the
perfume Of many blossoms. Attracted by her winning
beauty and her intelligent replies the travellers mani
tested an earnest interest In her behalf to such de.
grec that before leaving Belmont the Van Brunti
had eagerly expressed desire to rear and provide fol
the parentess dependent who had thus carly been de-
prived Of much to make life dear. The widow
fully realized tho Importance OF such generous pro-
posa yet she could not but feel depressed In spirit
the thought losing upon whom she had laylshet
such warm affection.
On their return to Washington Judge Van b. mort
fully made known their wishes, furnishing such as
surances Of thor sincerity of purpose as to leave nj
doubt In the Widows mind to her obvious duty II
the matter. AS tho Van BIS plans for the ensuing
summer necessitated their early return to Rockclf
the Judge, having obtained the widows reluctant con
sent and Nellic's cher ward Innocent acquiescence
revisited Belmont to receive his new charge for WHOM
they had already conceived such aiIectlonate In
| terest. With thoughtful consideration for TIL
Widows self-denial, the Judge generously provide,
for her moderate wants, and kindly suggested that
suitable companion should be at selected to diver
her thoughts from her solitary situation.
Subsequent years of Nellie's life were happily ant
industriousiy passed with the Van Brunts In sum
mers, when not at RockcliG, at the VARIOUS places
received much careful instruction in studies hes
suited to her ago. frequent exchange of letter
| between Nellie and the widow religiousl
| kept up.
| Nellie had, too, passed many happy days in tn
comfortable new cottage which, by the liberal aid
the Van BIS had been built near the site of the oil
mansion. The widow condition had been otherwis
materially improved by leasing portions of the estat
which she had inherited from her husband, who
under the old regime, had so successfully cultivate
that productive plantation,
When Nellie Van Brunt (sho having assumed ii,
surname Of her adopted parents) was deemed full
of age to engage In the gay festivities so fascnat
ing to d6butante her acute observation and read
wit attracted much pleasant attention.
Her memorable sojourR at Newport was n cOnstar
theme for unreservod enthusiasm for there had sl
first met young Harry H., who, having received hi
| Harvard degree, occupied with his parents the re
mantle cottage high up on tho Clif' oyerlookin
tho broad Atlantic. The exhilarating drives alon
tho broad smooth avenue their evening rambles upo
the glittering beach when ''the was up'' an
the waters danced In Light; their joyous sails upo
tho summer sea-were all events not soon to be fol
gotten, associated they with "aection's earl
look.n
During the following spring Nellie revisited Il
Of her earlier years. Her engagement to yOun
II. having been ''oficIaly" announced, he too wei
to Belmont but his vsitthere OF brief DURATION
having received the news OF his faiher's DEATH whe
he at once returned to his New England home whei
for months he occupied in the settlement of Il
large estate which he and his mother had Inherited.
Possessed of ample means to authorize their ear
marriage, which was freely approved by his motho
who had met Esllie at Newport, and had warm
sanctioned their betr' thai, t0Ir wedding took pla,
when year had elapsed at the Van Brnnts home
Washington; though but few were invited to witne
the ceremony in consequence of the family afiietiol
The bridal trip was. Mt Nelies suggestion, Limit
to visit at Belmont and so pleasantly WAS he In
| pressed with the beauty Of the country that vii
Nelle's approval he determined to restore oaklawn
Its former condition, and made ali needed plans
execute their wishes In this respect.
RejOlning the Van BIS. In time for their annu
pilgrimage to q more Northern Cline they happi
: whiled away the summer months on the banks Of Il
beautiful Hudson and at his mothers New Engal
home.
When In the following autumn they again reach,
Virginia they were delighted to nd that the work
rebuilding Oaklawn, which had been placed in 4
) charge Of competent mechanic, had been prompt
and faithfully done. Their furniture which HI
! been carefIlIy selected at the North, was awaiti
their arrival, and was rasefNy PLACED Up Its prop
position In time for their premeditated Christm
? "frolic, ~ which was to be duly celebrated with
! the hallowed customs Of days SLANG syne.n T
u | mlbtlttot WAS HuIg Ill tlt HhI. DTailrht
brilliant with their ruby berries adorned the par
= walls, while tho Beltein yuie-iog brightly burn
upon the cheerful hearth. on oaken stand "
invitiDgly placed the ponder0us bowl Of pune
Near by sat the capacious antique vessel Allied wi
the palatable egg-nogg, while ready hands dispens
the Christmas cheer.
or the many guests assembled (amOng whom W,
their Rockcf friends was whose unexpeci
presence gave infinite zest to the festal scene U
y known at first TO all, he proved at ienglh 10 be
uncle OF the host--a bachelor-who was warmly w
N | coined to this Southern home. The uncle had
n years been q wanderer on land and sea, and AT
q successful adventurous career had returned to
former friends to enjoy his accumulated gains Gia
a he Joined in the " mirthful maze, " proving bIms
IS well "skiod Ia &c ME lore.'
d
y When, during Intervening, the bachelor and
IA widow were llstlessy strolling through the bi
ID llanty-llghed rooms, remaTking upon objects VIII
m enlisted their passing Interest, Ia Of The alcoy