The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-04-27

l =
his acquaintance"
Il will, but you had better wisl
not to hear it.
The two young ladies who hav
been introduced to the reader wer
members of the first families in tn
county of -. Isabelle Hamdel
was an attractive girl, although
given to some little eecentricities
not peculiar to her sex, In her dis
position there was something which
caused her Ofttimes to study he
own interest, even at the expense o
others, and, if she was excelled by
others in any respect, spirit o.
envy was certainly manifested.
She was almost nondescript, an6
it required thorough investigation
to read her true character. In
point Of intellect she had but few
equals, for which she certainly
merited admiration.
Liddie Norwood had just passed
her twentieth summer, gotten
through with the years in which
girls generally commit great follies,
especially in matters of love, and
had now arrived, it may be said, at
the years of discretion. She was
not beautiful, yet pretty enough to
gain the admiration of any. Her
eyes, though not black, were spark
ling, her form symmetrical, features
regular, complexion fair, and cheeks
rosy. She possessed those qualities
of the mind and soul which none
can fail to appreciate, and, though
often wild and romantic in her
notions, she seldom stepped beyond
the bounds of reason. In a word,
she was frank, free, noble hearted
girl. George Thornton was a dash
ing young man of five-and-twenty,
very handsome, and the sole
possesor of a large estate. Liddie
was pleased with him, and yet she
hesitated to become mistress of his
fortunes. His habits were not al
together such as she would desire,
and he was extremely wicked. The
next Sunday, the day on which she
was to hear the new preacher, was
the time set apart for her decision,
and she had determined upon Civ
ing him a favorable answer. HE
loves me" she thought; land l can
lead him withersoever / WILL
Sunday came: Liddie was ready
when George arrived, and they
dashed off, full of loves young
hopes. 1t was an inviting day, and
the church was full of anxious
listeners. Mr.. Hackway arose,
looked over his intelligent audience,
and in a calm manner read an appro-
pirate psalm. Liddie's eyes were
rivited upon him, and when she
thought of herself, she was astonish-
ed at the strange feelings which had
so suddenly possessed her. The hymn
was sung, the prayer offered, and he
entered upon his sermon. His sub
ject was Christian Sympathy
founded upon that little text, "Jesus
wept." The discourse was some
thing over an hour in length, and
yet to all seemed but few minutes.
Liddie could but reflect upon her
self when she thought of what she
had said a few days. previous con
corning the new preacher, for what
Isabelle had told her she found to be
true. The solemn benediction was
announced and Liddie felt her heart
palpitate when she saw her father
approach him for the purpose OF
asking him to his house. The in
vitation was kindly accepted, and
many others extended which he had
to decline. Liddie and George were
driving rapidly homeward.
"How do you like the new
preacher?'' he said in tone which
conveyed to the ears of Liddie some
thing like disgust.
Il am perfectly charmed" she re-
piled, looking at him reproachfully.
Il do not remember ever listening
to sermon which fell with deeper
weight upon my heart. Were you
not pleased Mr.. ThorntonT
"Me? why, yes! L was in a per-
feet paradise, for went to sleep and
dreamed of you, my angel"
He would have taken her hand,
but she suddenly withdrew it, and
cold shudder chilled the very
blood in her veins.
"Liddie," he said, ''shall l not
call you mine? Oh, give me but
one look of love! tbs the only heaven
l shall ever desire"
Liddie was silent. He would
have continued, but the carriage
had stopped at her fathers gate.
He walked into the parlor, and
Liddie passed into her own room,
threw herself upon her couch and
~ept bitterly. She heard the minis
ter and her father walk in, and sud
denly bethinking herself, resumed
her self-possession, and prepared to
receive an introduction. Why did
she so tastefully arrange her toilet?
and why did her heart beat so?
Her father lead her in, and in a
graceful manner she received the
new preacher. Liddie certainly
looked more lovely at that partic-
ulaf UlIn6 Cndu uSudl. ne UcdTo 81
recently shed added new brilliancy
to her eyes, and the fever of excite
ment glowed upon her checks
George occupied a corner of the
room, and looked to Liddie like a
criminal at the bar of justice. She
soon found that Mr. Hackway was
as entertaining out of the pulpit as
in it, and the more she heard him
converse, the more George looked
like a criminal Liddie was well
posted on every subject he had
introduced, and the conversation
was listened to with interest by all
except poor George. In a short
time he determined to make his
exit. and did so, to the great graft
fication of Liddie. Morning came,
and the minister left for his next
appointment, but not without a
promise to ''call again" Liddie re-
tired to her own room again to
weep. What emotions stirred her
soul! She could but compare the
new preacher to her lover, and was
we'll convinced of his superiority
| The very nature of George Thorn.