Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1881-12-14
CHOSEN.

Geraldine Spencer tie only daugh-
Ter Of the well known Col. Hubert Spen-
Ger, one of the wealthiest planters of
Mississippi. The Colonel was 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 a Brigadier
General in the last war with Great Bri-
tain, and the Colonel himself was n gra-
duate of West Point, and one of the
most dashing and daring officers under
old Rough and Ready, in the picnic
of war which We had with Mexico a
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 despatch
es, and brilliant military career that
5, as the state of the country permitted
twas before him, had he chosen to adop
the military profession, but though tn
Colonel would have preferred fighting
to eating, he resigned his commission in
the army and went home to his planta-
tion in Mississippi. He knew what a
horde of hungry young officers We're
clamoring and clatter-clawing for posi-
lions in the army, and he preferred they
should have them, especially as he saw a
prospect of a lengthy peace before the
country, period of idleness for the ar
my, which would fret such high sonl
81 his to death.
He perceived all this, we say, and
went back to his plantation, on the Mis-
sissippi, and devoted hirself TO his IA
mily.
The latter consisted of his only son
and daughter. Hubert, named of course
after himself, was in the second year at
West Point; the wife was dead long ago
and Geraldine presided over his house
hold.
One reason, why, perhaps, there was
hilth "a pChhNtA iut2lti
and daughter was because they were so
much alike. She was high spirited, as
independent and as proud as he. She
was as beautiful as an houri, with her
wealth of JET black, waving hair, her
brilliant complexion. her marvellous
eyes, her mstchless figure, her patrician,
features, and her wonderful grace o
voice and manner.
Geraldine had numberless admirers
and devotees. Many from the North,
where she had spent couple of years,
and her own sunny South produced my
riads but she seemed to care for none of
Them
The Colonel used to chide her at times
for the repeated snubbings she gave her
callers, without regard to their social
position and standing. She would leave
them at any time, and go with hec ia
ther on tramp through the woods or
fishing IN the river.
After all. there is nothing so captivat-
ing in a pretty woman-or any woman,
for that matfer-as an absolute indepen-
dence which preserves ones self-respect
at all times, and humbles the pride of
the proudest of the lords of creation. 1t
Is lust that sort of woman that all are
most ANXIOUS to secure for prize.
One summer afternoon, Geraldine and
her father were sitting in the shade OF
the long, low porch which extended In
front of their house. The colonel smoh-
ing his cigar, and the daughter who was
richly dressed, was gently rocking back
and forth, and looking off at the yellow
Mississippi, along which high decked
steamer. was laboriously plowing its
way.
A close observer would have seen
that the beautiful daughter had some
trouble OH her mind. She WAS uneasy
and restless. The swaying of her chair
was fitful and uneven. Sometimes she
smelled of the fragrant sprig of magno-
lia. in her hand in gervous way, and her
lustrous eyes seemed to be brighter and
more flashing than usual.
But the colonel noticed nothing; for
he knew the superb poise OF his daugh-
ter so well, that he did not believe any
thing short of an earthquake could dis
turb it.
So he continued placidly smoh
his cigar, while his paper rested idiy Ii
his lap. and he looked off toward the
Mississippi.
Suddenly he rose mp.
cWhere is Sydney" he abruptly
asked.
Ileft him awhile ago, and he has
not gone home yet. thought l would
like to sit down a few minutes with you.
II am glad to have you, hy daneh'el
but it does seem to me that you trea'
some of your callers with rudeness.
.sThen if we're they, said the proud