The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1881-10-27
A W0MAN'S MISTAKE.
BY MoLLIE V. JONES.


The sun was near its setting. The
rays fell lofty over romantic reach Of
landscape, relieved by picturesque cot
tages, half hidden by morningglories
and climbing roses, while here and there
quaint farmhouse stood family out
lined, with rich pasture lands attached,
in which herds of cattle were lazily graz
ing. As if to give an air of Importance
to the neighborhood, the church Of st.
Agnes, and the magnificent country
seat of the Ainsleys, lifted themselves
proudly. Very exclusive were these
people, said Madam Rumor, for many
of the country aristocracy had never
seen within the elegant grounds OF
Ainsley Hall.
Near the mouth of the river, which
made its way through the country, a
little school house raised its white walls,
which were shadowed by great oak
that had probably withstood the rude
storms of century, and still undaunted-
ly scared above its contemporaries. I'm
der its protecting boughs sportive chill
dren loved to gambol, and when alone,
the girl teacher was wont to come here
with her books, and, sitting upon huge
stone which she called her "Cromleck," :"
fancy herself druidess of old.
The god of day was just ready to dis
appear down the western slope; he al
most seemed to pause, as if reluctant to
resign his sceptre the laws of nature,
however, are fixed and immutable, and
not even Apollo, son of Jove, dared dis
obey; but, as if in compensation ere he
receded from view, there fell on the land
flood of light, reminding one of the
primitive days, when the voice of the
Almighty annihilated chaos by saying,
''Let there be light.
Upon the identical evening Of which
we are speaking, a girl sat under the
aforesaid oak, with volume of poems
in her hand, intently scanning lady
and gentleman approaching on horse
back. The gentleman reined in his
herse when he came near where she was
sitting, bending searching glance upon
her.
Maud Muller, by Jupiter?" he cried
with low whistle.
81 suppose you are the judge,
laughed his companion. Harry, she
will consider you impertinent if yor
gaze at her in that manner; she is gath
ering UP her books TO leave saying
which she touched her horse with hel
,. ! dainty riding whip, and started off.
The gentleman followed in her wake
As thew rode under the arched gatewa,
of Ainsley Hall, Harry glanced back q
the little figure in the background, will
,, wealth Of sunny nair to:eg ao@ting aroun'
her.
II never saw q sweeter face" ne SAID
dismounting with very grave physiog
nomy.
Amy LIE Roy gathered up her book
and started for her boarding place. Sh
was met at the door by her hostes
with,--
Laws. child, how late you be {! | ca
!, culate you saw Harry Ainsley and hi
: sister: kind o'handsome, amt he 7"
81 can't sit in judgment without
closer scrutiny" laughed Amy, seatin
herself at the table 70 partake of tea r
dolent with brown sugar, and biscuit
remarkable only as relics of antiquity.
After tea she sought her own room
= to luxuriate in the realms of fancy
building airy dwellings to be demolishe
: by the rude touch of time. Into HI
= musings came the faces of no loved one
: for she was alone. She could remembe
e wears before, wandering through Il
: deserted streets, cold and hungry, unit
: exhausted nature gave way, and feeiir
II very tired she sat down upon the ste
= of an unassuming tenement, with h
golden head upon the step, and fell In
profound slumber, from which S
would probably never have awaken
had not kind old lady, possessing b
E little of the worlds wealth, but havlI
4 a heart quite large enough to embra
all humanity, fgurately speaking, kin
" took the poor little waif, and car
rs for her until she reached her sixteen
10 year. and then the poor old lady, wi
a her lamp well trimmed and burnin
id went to meet the bridegroom. A XII
ho friend procured Amy 2 situation
h. teacher, and thus we find her.
IN Almost every day the heir Of Ainsle
al / modo tops of the grounds surroundi
n her school, and one day her equani.ss.
ed was somewhat shakenby seeing him dri
of up to the door with fine carriage a
two dashing grays. He informed ht
ID with the utmost uonchalence, that as
Id was raining, and he was in that vicinit
hit he had called to take her home, if S
yo would honor him with her eompan
ID Of course she went, and then co
81 menced series of rides and drives Il
of Amy enioyed immensely. He also
it. sinuated himself into her good grae
lis by displaying some very pretty sketch
", and quoting some charming passas
ne from Ruskia, for Amy had an art
of soul. just as she commenced to EN-
les life her happiness was nipped IN the
to by visit she received from q trust
nj Miss LIE Roy, be said, with ma
all preparatory ahems, 4 called this aft
lip noon to inform you that your servi
will not he required after the pres
term"
Amy looked at him with VIII
re- incredulous face, and wild, implori
ire eyes.
ire We have no feeling OF anlmoslty
ws YOU, but think your extreme youth
of an objection, he said very bland
up .sGood afternoon, miss, holding out
IN hand.
wn When once he was gone, she cowe
an down IN the school room. shivering
md the warm sunshine, and breathee
nto PRAYER that must have been registe
dr. In heaven.
81, ..Friendless, penniless and alone, Y
sv- can / do 7"
Ehe Then, ike 2 revelation, came
thought Of Harry Ainsley.
ssf4e can helsJ me: he has wealth
md influence, I win 60 TO him.
Sic started towards AinsleY II