The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-03-10
Two EIOpemenls.

Two ElOp0montS.
In large, square, old fashioned house.
such as our fathers used to build when 80.
lldity was more sought after than utility
lived Philip Mason and his sister Esther.
Philip had reached the mature age of ~,
and Esther was close to HIM. Still, each
had pursued solitary pathway through,
llle, seeking no companionship save that OF
the other till there was reason to believe
that they would continue to follow the same
course till IN the fulness Of time they were
gathered into the family tomb-the rccep-
tacle 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
prccept.
''No," SAID Philip, when assailcd OIL this
subject by matchmaking lady; "marry
ing may be very good for some people, but
could not bear TO have my habits broken
in upon, and my whole house turned top.
sy-turvy by the introduction OF wifel"
but by-and-by, when yon grow older,
you will feel the need of wife, more than
at present"
mo-" said Philip, conclusivcly, 81 have
sister who is dcvoled to me, and while
she lives l shall need no other"
AS for Miss Esther, she often declared
that she would never make slave of her
self for any man living. If other women
were foolish enough TO give up their lnde-
pcndcncc, and tic themselves to man, for
no other earthly purpose than to burden
themselves with cares and tolls from morn.
ing till night, she was sure she had no OBJ
lection. For her own part she was wiser.
nf fhfIR md OH Il
gether peaceably and happily, and she did
not think she could make any change for
the better
Of course, it was insinuated, by those
whose opinion differed widely from N1iou
Esther's that in adopting this opinion she
was only making virtue of necessity, and
that it was best TO be contentcd with ones
lot, provided there were no chance OF i'm
proving it.. But Esther did not hear these
remarks, and 50 was not disturbed by them.
She continued to live in the old house with
her brother. They kept no domestic, since
Esther rather plunlcd herself on her house.
keeping qualities, and there was really but
little to do. so, as her brother was usually
absent during the day, she was loft for the
most part TO The companionship of her own
thoughts, unless some ncighbor chanced to
call in-a thing, by the way, OF rather rare
occurrence, since most OF The neighbors had
large families OF their own, which necessu-
nly confined them at home.
Early one afternoon just after Esther
Mason had completed her task of clearing
away the dinner dish,s, and storing them
away in the cupboard after thorough
washing, she was startled by rap at the
door.
Somewhat surprised by caller at this
unusual hour, she answered the summons
She was a little apprchcnsive that it was u
neighbor who had OF late proved very
troublesome from her habit of borrowing
articles, and owing, it is to be presumed, to
ahabitual 1orgctfuLncss, ncglecting to re-
turn them.
81 hope" she muscd, ''that if it is Mrs.
Bailey, SIG will be wanting TO borrow some
thing That have not got" ',
She opened the door; but no Mrs. Bailey
presented herself to her expecting gazc-a
gentleman Of forty five, carefully, nay elc-
gantly dressed, stood before her.
81 beg your pardon for intruding, ma.
DAME" said he, as he noticed Esthcr's look
OF surprise; "Dut can you direct me to the
house OF the late Mr. w eltlcct7 have heard
it was Tor sale, and from the description 7
have heard OF 1t, judge ii Will suit me-"
lit is the next house on the left, SIR
answered Esther who had had time, while
tho gentleman was speaking, to examine his
appearance, which did mot fall to impress
her favorably.
''Thank you for the information. trust
you Will pardon me for,thc trouble I have
occasloned YOU" replied the gentleman,
bowling.
''Not the least trouble in the world" re-
piled Esther, a little luttered by defer
ence to which she had not been accustom.
cd.
Two days aftcrward Esther heard that
MIR. Wclltlcet's estate had been purchased
by stranger named Bigclow. She at once
conjectured, and rightly, that this was hel
VISITOR. A few days elapsed, and Esther
Mason received another visit from the gen
tleman.
Il have a favor to ask of you, Miss Ma
son. he began Git seems he had ascertainet
her namc). IL am aware that our slight
acquaintance will hardly justify it, but
trust time will romovo this objection. Yol
must know" he added, smiling "that an
bachelor, dependent in many respects upor
my housekcepcr, who though good WON
an In her way, l am afraid ls not reliable il
matters OF taste. AS my furniture has ar
rived, but has not yet been arranged
would esteem 1t a real service ii you
give me your opinion in some little
respecting it's proper disposition
rage is at the door ready
over.'
But" said Bs1'
VI 90 not cluir
shall prov
spcct thun