The Baltimore County union., 1881-02-26
LOVE IN A COTTAGE"
ny FRANCIS A. puRvIAcr (rHE OLD u

From the rsrf, Field and Rasm.
'rell me, Charley, who is that fasci-
mating creature in blue, who waltzes SC
divinely1 asked young Frank Belmont
of his friend Charles Hastings, as they
stood playing "wall flower" for the
moment at military ball.
"Julia Heathcote, answered Charles,
with half sigh. "An old friend oi
mine. proposed, but she refused me. -
"On what ground 2"
"Simply because had comfortable
income. Her head Is full Of romantic
notions, and she dreams Of nothing hut
love in cottage. She contends that
poverty is essential to happiness and
that money is bane.'"
"Have you given up all hopes other -
Entirely. In fact, Pm engaged. "
"Theh you have no objection to my
addressing this dear, romantic angel p
"None whatever. But see my fance;
excuse me. / must walk the next quad
rifle with her. Good luck"
Frank Belmont was a stranger in
Boston, New Yorker-immensely rich
and fashionable, but his reputation had
not preceded him, and Charley Hastings
was the only man in New England who
knew him. He procured an introduction
to the belle from one Of the managers,
and soon danced and talked himself into
her good graces, In fact, Il was clear
case Of love on both sides. The en-
amored pair was sitting apart, enjoying
delicious fete-a-feke. Suddenly Mr..
Belmont heaved deep sigh.
"Why do you sigh, Mr.. Belmontl"
asked the fair Julia, secretly not dis.
pleased with this proof Of her lovers
sensibility. els not this q gay scene p
"Alas yes - replied Belmont,
gloomily. "But fate does not permit
me to mingle habitually in scenes like
these. They only make my ordinary
life doubly gloomy, and even here
seem to see the shadow Of fiend waving
me away. What right have I to be
here ?"
"What fend do you alludc tor" asked
Miss Heathcoate, with increasing inter-
est.
ga fend hardly presentable in good
society,"" replied Belmont, bitterly
"One could tolerate Mephistopheles
IA dignified fiend-with his pockets full
of money, but my tormentor, il person.
ified, would appear with seedy boots and
shocking bad hat"
"How absurd 70
'It Is too true," sighed Belmont =
"and the name Of my hend is borcyty." "
care you poor7"
eyes madam and when would fain
render myself agreeable in the eyes oi
beauty this fend whispers to me BE.
warei You have nothing to offer her but
love in a cottage.
"Mr. Belmont,'' said Julia, with
sparkling eyes and q voice Of unusual
animation, salthodgh there are sordid
souls in this world, who only Judge ol
the merits of an individual by his pecu.
MARY possessions, I do not belong to the
number. ! respect poverty. There is
something poetical about it, and I i'm.
agine that happiness is oftener found in
the humble cottage than beneath the
palace roof"
Belmont appeared enchanted with thi.
encouraging avowal.. The result was an
elopement. The happy couple passed O
day in New York, and then Frank remov.
cd his beloved to his cottage"
An Irish hack conveyed them to a
miserable shanty in the environs Of New
York city, where they alighted and
Frank escofting his bride into the room,
which served as a kitchen, reception
and drawing room, and was neither pa.
pcrcd nor carpeted, introduced Madame
Julia to hismother. The old lady, who
was peeling potatoes, hastily wiped heI
hands on. her apron and saluted hei
"darter" on both cheeks.
"Can Il be possible" thought Julia
"that this vulgar creature is my Frank.
mother7" -
"Frank I" screamed the old woman,
you'd better 60 right up stairs and take
Of them hired close. The boys been
arter ''em smore'n, fifty times. Frank
hired 'em when he went down East, -
she added, by way Of explanation to
julia fto look smart"
:. The bridegroom retired on this hint,
and soon reappeared in pair Of faded
nankeen pantaIoons, reaching to about
the calves of his legs, very shabby
black coat, ont at the elbows, a ragged
black vest, and, instead Of his svarnished
boots, a pair Of immense, trodden- down
brogans. sie4' fpit.A
'iNow,'' said he, sitting down by the
coolking-stove. 81 begin to feel at home.
This Is delightful, isn't Il, dearest p
and he warbled: '.'..
szho' svssse humble, there's no place like home" "
Jplia's heart swelled so that she could
not utter q word.
dearest I" said Frank, al think you
told me you bad no objections to smok-
ing.' $50 af.iittsdiiaits ee. fa
''None in the least" said the bride.
al ratherlike the ilavorof good cigar. {"
"Oh ia cigar,' y said Belmont ''that
would never do for a poor man." s
And, oh horror he produced an old