Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1881-04-30
TWO ELOPEMENTS.

HOu2AlI dAACA THAN 0AAiAAJ ~
Philip Mason and his sister Esther.
Philip had reached the mature age
of forty, aud Esther was close to
him. Still, each had pursued a sol
itary pathway through life, seeking
no companionship save that OF the
other, till there was reason to be-
lieve that they would continue to
follow the same course till in the
fullness of time they were gathered
into the family tomb, the receptacle
of many generations OF the Mason
family. There was more reason to
think so, since they took care to
commend an unmarried life, not
only by example but by precept.
mo" said Philip, when assailed
on this subject by a matchmaking
lady, "marrying may be very good
for some people, but l cOdld not
bear to have my whole business
turned topsy-turvy BY the introduce
ton of a wife!"
"But by-and-by, when you grow
older, you will feel the need of a
wife more than at present"
"No," said Philip, conclusively,
al have a sister who is devoted to
me, amt while she lives j shall need
no other"
As for Miss Esther, she often de-
clared that she would never make
n slave of herself for any man liv-
ing. If other women were foolish
enough to give up their ~independ-
ence, and tie themselves TO Il man,
for no earthly purpose thar TO Dur
den themselves with cares ana tolls
from morning till night, she was
sure she had no objection. For her
own part she vas wiser. Her
brother and she had always lived
together peaceably and happily,
and she did not think she could
make any change for the better.
Or course it was insinuated by
those whose opinions differed wide
ly from Miss Esther's that in adopt
ing this opinion she was only max
ing a virtue OF necessity, and hat 1t
was best to be cOutented with ones
lot, provided there was no chance
of improving it. But Esther did
not hear these remarks, and so was
not disturbed by them. She con-
tinued to live in the old house with
her brother. They kept no domes-
tic, since Esther rather planned her
self on her household qualities, and
there was really but little to do. So,
rs her brother was usually absent
during the day, she was lett Tor the
most part to the cOmpanlOnShlp OF
her own thoughts, unless some
neighbor CHANGED to call ina
thing, by the way, of rare occur
rence, since most of the nelghbors
had large families of their own,
which necessarily confined them al
home.
Early one afternoon, just after
Esther Mason had completed hel
task of clearing away the dinner
dishes, and storing them away in
the cupboard after a thorough wash
ing, she was startled by a rap at the
door.
Somewhat surprised by a caller al
this unusual hour, she answered tht
summons. She was Il little appre
hensive that it was a neighbOr who
had OF late proved very troublesome
from her habit of borrowing article
and owing, it is TO be presumed, t(
Il habitual forgetfulness, neglectIns
to return them.
IL hope" she unused, "that II j
is Mrs. Railey, she will be wanting
to borrow something that L have
not got"
She opened the door, but no Mrs
Bailey presented herself to her eX
pecting gaze-a gentleman OF iofty
five, carefully, nay, elegantly
dressed, stood before her.
II beg your pardon for intrHd!ng
madame" said he, as he noticed
Esther's look of surprise, but ca
YOU direct me to the house OF tn
late Mr.. Welltieet? L have hear'
that il was for sale, and from I'M
description L have heard of it, judg
it will suit me-"
at is the next house on the left
sir,'' answered Esther, who ha'
had time, while the gentleman wa
speaking, to examine his appear
ance, which did not fail to impree
her favOrably.
.sThank YOU for the information
| trust you will pardon me FOR III
trouble | have OCcasioned you" n
piled the gentleman, bowling.
mot the least trouble in tt
world" replied Esther, a lit
tiuttered by "A Difference to whic
she had not been accustomed.
Two DAYS afterward Esther hear
that Mr.. Willheet's estate had bee
purchased by a stranger name
Bigeluw. She at once conjecture
and rightly, that this was her Wis
tor. 4 few days elapsed, an
Esther Mason received anOth'
visit from the gentleman.
al have a favor to ask OF yO
Miss Mason" he began. Ut seen
he had ascertaiued her nauIe). "
am aware that our slight acqualI
lance will hardly justify it, but
trust time will remove this OoJe
ton. You must KNOW" he adde
smiling, ''that | am a bachelor, Il
pending in many respects upon n
housekeeper, who, though Il goo
woman i'm her way, l am afraid
not reliable in matters OF taste. /
my furniture has arrived, but h
not vet been arranged, l would {
TEEN it a real service II you Wou
give me your opinion in some lit
matters respecting Its proper dlsp
sition. My carriage Is at the do
ready to carry you over"
But" said Esther, a little he
t3tlnglN, - 90 not Cldltn 10 ia
much taste. | fear / shall prove
more reliable in that respect th'
your hOusekerper."
Il have but to look around me
said MI. Bigelow, politely, ito
fully satisfied upon that point"
Esther's cheek flushed with pies
ure at this compliment, and $
made preparations to comply WI
the new visitors request.
1t was not without a nttle &C
seriousness of the singularlty OF d
position that Esther found hers'
riding by the side of a gentlemi
with whom she had scarcely {
changed half a dozen words In I
course of her life. The distan'
however, was but short, and S
had little time for reflection.
arriving at her place of destinati
she found the chief part of the bu
ness accomplished.
The furniture, which, by the Wa
was new and handsome, had be
arranged i'm the room after a fashiC
but Esther was able to point &
several changes for the better, wi
all of which Mr.. Bigelow profess
himself delighted.
Mr.. Bigelow would not be sat
fed without showing his new fou
acquaintance all over the hOu
L.